What is Chemotherapy?
Cancer has been one of the rising concerns in the present generation, due to several factors that influence like 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 are used to 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’re considering treatment options, it’s important to understand the chemotherapy cost in Gurgaon — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
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 below 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.
Doctors For Chemotherapy
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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.
Chemotherapy Cost in Gurgaon At a Glance
The cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Gurgaon typically ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹1,50,000. Several factors influence this cost, including the type of chemotherapy, the hospital you choose, and your specific medical condition. Usually, you will have to spend more in private hospitals than in government ones.
The chemotherapy cost in Gurgaon can broadly be categorized into the following approximate ranges:
- Minimum Cost: 4,000 INR to 10,000 INR per cycle (about 47 – 118 USD)
- Average Cost: 11,000 INR to 39,000 INR (about 129 – 460 USD)
- Maximum Cost: 40,000 INR to 1,50,000 INR (about 470 – 1760 USD)
Several factors influence the costs of chemotherapy per cycle in Gurgaon. Let’s take a dig into the factors now:
Factors Affecting Chemotherapy Cost in Gurgaon
Several underlying elements can influence the cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Gurgaon. The key ones include:
- 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 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 center, government policies, and insurance coverage.
Hospital-wise Distribution of Chemotherapy Cost in Gurgaon
Below is an overview of the hospital-wise distribution of the chemotherapy cost in Gurgaon.
| Hospital | Cost (INR) | Cost (USD) |
| Max Hospital | 40,000 INR onwards | 470 USD onwards |
| Medanta – The Medicity | 45,000 INR onwards | 530 USD onwards |
| Artemis Hospital | 25,000 INR onwards | 290 USD onwards |
| Fortis Hospital | 40,000 INR onwards | 470 USD onwards |
| Manipal Hospital | 40,000 INR onwards | 470 USD onwards |
| Paras Hospital | 40,000 INR onwards | 470 USD onwards |
| Narayana Superspeciality Hospital | 40,000 INR onwards | 470 USD onwards |
| Columbia Asia Hospital | 40,000 INR onwards | 470 USD onwards |
| CK Birla Hospital | 40,000 INR onwards | 470 USD onwards |
| Rockland Hospital | 40,000 INR onwards | 470 USD onwards |
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi | 10,000 INR onwards for normal cancers and 40,000 INR onwards for advanced cancers | 117 USD for normal cancers and 470 USD for advanced cancers |
| Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center (RGCIRC) Delhi | 30,000 INR onwards | 352 USD onwards |
From the above tabulation, it is clear that the cost of the chemotherapy cycle in Gurgaon is affordable in government hospitals such as Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center (RGCIRC) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi.
Gurgaon vs. Other Cities: Chemotherapy Cost
The table below offers a comprehensive view of the cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Gurgaon and four metropolitan cities in India.
| Country | Approx. Range (USD) |
| Gurgaon | 40,000 INR to 1,50,000 INR (470 – 585 USD) |
| Delhi | 30,000 INR to 2,00,000 INR (350 – 2350 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) |
The above table shows the affordability of chemotherapy treatment in Bangalore, Gurgaon, Delhi, and Mumbai.
Additional Expenses: Chemotherapy Cost in Gurgaon
- Diagnosis Cost – Diagnostic tests for chemotherapy include scans, blood tests, and biopsies. These collectively may cost you around 4000 to 5000 INR (47 – 59 USD) per test.
- 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 Gurgaon.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of Chemotherapy Per Cycle in Gurgaon
Here are a few tips on reducing your average cost of chemotherapy per cycle in Gurgaon:
- Both private and government hospitals provide cancer treatments in Gurgaon. 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 Gurgaon.
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 along 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 Gurgaon.
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 set-up with you at 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 cancer is likely to spread or has 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 Gurgaon.
FAQs – Chemotherapy Cost in Gurgaon
Q.1 Why does chemotherapy cost vary so much?
– Costs vary due to several factors such as the type and stage of cancer, whether branded or generic drugs are used, the hospital’s infrastructure, and whether the treatment is administered in an outpatient or inpatient setting. Some targeted or immunotherapy drugs are more expensive than standard chemotherapy.
Q.2 Does health insurance cover chemotherapy costs?
– Yes, most health insurance policies in India cover chemotherapy as part of cancer treatment. However, the extent of coverage may depend on your policy details, including any sub-limits or exclusions. It’s best to check with your insurer or hospital billing team for clarity.
Q.3 How many chemotherapy sessions are usually needed?
– The number of chemotherapy sessions varies based on the type of cancer and how the body responds to treatment. Most patients undergo multiple cycles, spaced out over weeks or months. Your oncologist will determine the best schedule for your condition.
Q.4 Can international patients access chemotherapy treatment in Gurgaon?
– Yes, many hospitals in Gurgaon offer services tailored for international patients, including medical visa assistance, accommodation arrangements, and dedicated patient coordinators to ensure a smooth treatment journey.
