What is Chemotherapy?
Cancer has been one of the rising concerns in the present generation, due to several factors that influence it, such as lifestyle changes, environmental pollution and genetic predispositions. Chemotherapy is one of the non-surgical treatments available to treat certain stages of cancer effectively. In Chemotherapy, powerful chemicals kill rapidly dividing cancer cells in the body. This treatment targets cancerous cells that multiply quickly. Chemotherapy also comes with a lot of side effects like hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and lowered immunity. Most of these side effects are treatable, but some can lead to serious complications. If you or a loved one is considering this treatment, it’s important to be informed about the chemotherapy cost in Delhi. The cost can vary depending on the type of cancer, stage, hospital, number of chemotherapy cycles required, and the specific drugs used. Consulting with a specialized oncologist in Delhi can help provide a more accurate estimate based on the individual case
How Does It Work?
Cancer is a condition wherein you have uncontrolled cellular growth. Chemotherapy is a medical procedure for destroying uncontrolled cell growth and preventing it from further multiplication.
Your cancer surgeon may ask you to undergo either of the following chemotherapeutic therapies. The choice of therapy depends on what type of cancer you are dealing with, its severity, and the success rate of the chosen therapy against that particular type.
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Types of Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is of 4 main types:
- Adjuvant Therapy: In this procedure, your chemotherapy destroys your cancerous cells after surgery.
- Curative Therapy: This procedure works on eliminating your cancer so that it does not return.
- Neoadjuvant Therapy: This procedure shrinks your tumor and is usually recommended before undergoing surgery or radiation therapy.
- Palliative Therapy: This procedure shrinks your tumor and reduces its symptoms. However, it has no role in curing it.
Types of Cancers That Are Treatable With Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy works well with a wide variety of cancers, including:
- Primary Cancer: It is a type that remains localized to a particular zone only.
- Metastasis Cancer: It is a cancer type that spreads to other regions.
How Does Your Doctor Administer Chemotherapy?
There are many ways of receiving chemotherapy. The choice depends on what type of cancer you are dealing with and the medicines that go well with it. While most of them are performed in hospitals or clinical settings, some of them can be performed at home, too.
Chemotherapy sessions are usually performed in cycles over several months. This means you will have a window between your subsequent cycles. This window period allows your body to recover from the side effects of your earlier cycle. All these factors collectively influence your cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Delhi.
Common Modes of Receiving Chemotherapy
How Do You Receive It? | What Happens? |
Via Tube | Your surgeon will insert a thin tube into your vein. The tube is usually attached to a bag or a pump. The entire session may last for 30 minutes to several days. |
Via Injection | Your surgeon will administer an injection into your vein, muscle or beneath your skin. It usually takes a few minutes. |
Wearable Pump | Your surgeon will insert a needle into your vein. This needle is attached to a tube along with a small pump. You can carry the entire setup to your home. The pump will slowly continue giving you medicine over a couple of days. |
Tablets and Capsules | Your surgeon will prescribe certain medicines for regular intake. They will even schedule routine follow-ups to determine how well the medicines are working for you. |
Who Should Get Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is usually recommended if you have been diagnosed with cancer. Your surgeon will usually ask you to undergo chemotherapy if your is likely to spread or already spread to other parts of your body. Mostly, it is done after surgical correction. However, sometimes, your surgeon may even ask you to undergo chemotherapy before surgery. Chemotherapy is also recommended for autoimmune disorders and diseases related to bone marrow.
Here is a more detailed overview of the eligibility:
- Cancer Treatment: Chemotherapy is primarily recommended for patients dealing with cancer. It can be used in conjunction with surgery and radiation.
- Managing Cancer Symptoms: When administered before surgery, chemotherapy is beneficial in shrinking your tumors.
- Pre- and Post-Surgery: It could be administered as a neoadjuvant (before surgery) or as an adjuvant (after surgery).
- Preparing for Other Treatments: Chemotherapy is helpful in preparing you for the bone marrow transplant.
- Bone Marrow and Autoimmune Disorders: In these cases, chemotherapeutic drugs work on the body’s natural immunity system to counter-fight the cancerous cells.
It is always better to have a healthy discussion around this with your surgeon first. They will also guide you with the cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Delhi.
Chemotherapy Cost in Delhi At a Glance
The cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Delhi ranges from ₹4,000 to ₹2,00,000 (USD 48 to USD 2,370), depending on various factors such as the type of cancer, chemotherapy drugs used, hospital infrastructure, and treatment protocols. Government hospitals typically offer more affordable options, with costs starting around ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 per cycle (USD 48 – USD 60).
The cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Delhi can broadly be categorised into the following approximate ranges:
- Minimum Cost: ₹4,000 – ₹5,000( USD 48 – USD 60)
- Average Cost: ₹23,000 – ₹30,000 (USD 280 – USD 355)
- Maximum Cost: ₹2,00,000 per cycle (USD 2,370)
Several factors influence the costs of chemotherapy per cycle in Delhi. Let’s take a dig into the factors now:
- Drug Price: You need to keep an eye on the chemotherapy drug price list. Older or generic drugs are cheaper than the newer and more advanced ones.
- Dosage and Combination: The quantity and type of chemotherapeutic drug used will also significantly impact your overall cost.
- Treatment Duration: The number of chemotherapy cycles recommended and the duration per cycle will also impact your cost.
- Hospitalization Expenses: Private hospitals will charge you more than the government ones. In government hospitals, you will mostly be under the outpatient category.
- Doctor’s Fees: The reputation and experience of your surgeon will also influence your overall cost.
- Other Factors: Other factors could include your condition, the geographic location of your hospital or treatment centre, government policies, and insurance coverage.
Hospital-wise Cost of Chemotherapy in Delhi
Below is an overview of the hospital-wise distribution of the chemotherapy cost in Delhi.
Hospital Name | Cost (INR) | Cost (USD) |
Chemotherapy cost in Max Healthcare | Rs. 15,000+ | $ 180+ |
Chemotherapy cost in AIIMS, Delhi | Rs. 10,000+ | $ 120+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Manipal Hospital | Rs. 10,000+ | $ 120+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Primus Super Specialty Hospital | Rs. 8,000+ | $ 100+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre | Rs. 10,000+ | $ 100+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Indraprastha Apollo Hospital | Rs. 10,000+ | $ 100+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital | Rs. 10,000+ | $ 100+ |
Chemotherapy cost in BLK Super Speciality Hospital | Rs. 10,000+ | $ 100+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Artemis Hospital | Rs. 35,000+ | $ 420+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Medanta – The Medicity | Rs. 40,000+ | $ 470+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Batra Hospital & Medical Research Centre | 10,000+ | $ 100+ |
Chemotherapy cost in Jaypee Hospital | Rs. 25,000+ | $ 300+ |
From the above tabulation, it is clear that the chemotherapy cost in government hospitals such as Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi are cheaper than other private hospitals.
To get personalized treatment advice and book an appointment with top oncologists, consult with Cancer Rounds today.
Delhi vs. Other Cities: Chemotherapy Cost
The table below offers a comprehensive view of the cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Delhi and four metropolitan cities in India.
Country | Approx. Range (USD) |
Delhi | 30,000 INR to 2,00,000 INR (350 – 2350 USD) |
Delhi- NCR | 40,000 INR to 1,50,000 INR (470 – 585 USD) |
Mumbai | 30,000 INR to 2,00,000 INR (350 – 2350 USD) |
Bangalore | 15,000 INR to 50,000 INR (176 – 580 USD) |
Kolkata | 50,000 to 2,00,000 INR (580 – 2350 USD) |
Chemotherapy Cost in Delhi and Other Four Metropolitan Cities
Additional Expenses: Chemotherapy Cost in Delhi
Diagnosis Cost
Diagnostic tests for chemotherapy include scans, blood tests, and biopsies. These collectively may cost you around 500 to 5000 INR (6 – 59 USD) per test.
Imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans):
- Ultrasound: ₹500
- CT Scan: ₹1,000–₹15,000 (depending on the body part)
- MRI: ₹5,000–₹12,000
- PET CT Scan: ₹5,000–₹25,000
Follow-Up Consultations
Consultation fees per session range between 3000 to 5000 INR (35 – 59 USD)
Unexpected Complications
Unexpected complications following chemotherapy include serious conditions. The most common ones are hair loss and fatigue. These infections follow the weakening of your immune system and low blood counts. It results in bruising or bleeding and severe organ damage, including your critical organs such as kidneys, heart, and nervous system. All these unexpected complications may add up to the cost of your chemotherapy per cycle in Delhi.
Tips to Reduce the Average Cost of Chemotherapy Per Cycle in Delhi
Here are a few tips on reducing your average cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Delhi:
- Both private and government hospitals provide cancer treatments in Delhi. You may choose the one that fits your pocket in the best possible way.
- You can ask for support from your family, friends, and NGOs.
- Cancer treatments require extensive care. Treating this deadly disease may deplete all your savings if you remain unprepared for it.
- Besides your treatment cost, you may also have to pay for the accommodation and other expenses.
- Discuss everything with your doctor before finalizing your call.
By adopting the right approach, you always stay ahead in this difficult journey of yours to support the cost of your chemotherapy in Delhi.
Your Journey Matters. We’re here to help
Starting chemotherapy can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
At CancerRounds, we’re here to make this journey easier. From helping you understand your treatment options to connecting you with trusted oncologists and hospitals, our team walks beside you at every step.
We make sure your care feels personal. That means guiding you to specialists who truly understand your condition, coordinating your appointments so you don’t have to worry about logistics, and offering clarity when you need a second opinion.
But it’s not just about the treatment—we’re here for the tough days, the questions, the moments of doubt. Whether it’s helping manage side effects or simply someone to talk to, our support extends beyond medicine.
If you’re facing chemotherapy, know this: you have options, and you have a team that cares.
Let’s face this together. Reach out to CancerRounds today.
FAQs
Q.1 What is Chemotherapy?
– Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses powerful medications to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. These drugs can be given through an IV, by mouth, or other methods, depending on your specific condition.
Q.2 What are the side effects of Chemotherapy?
– Chemotherapy can cause side effects like fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and changes in appetite. However, the severity and type of side effects vary from person to person. Your care team will work with you to manage these symptoms and help you feel as comfortable as possible during treatment.
Q.3 What is the duration of Chemotherapy?
– The length of your chemotherapy treatment depends on your cancer type, treatment goals, and how you respond to the medication. Most chemotherapy regimens involve cycles of treatment followed by periods of rest, allowing your body to recover.
Q.4 How do I manage my lifestyle while going through Chemotherapy?
– Many people can continue working during chemotherapy, though this depends on the side effects you experience. It’s important to listen to your body and take breaks when needed. Our team can guide you in balancing your treatment with daily activities.
Q.5 Can I get a second opinion about Chemotherapy?
– Absolutely. At CancerRounds, we encourage second opinions to make sure you’re confident in your treatment plan. We can help connect you with specialists who can review your diagnosis and recommend the best course of action.