Ovarian Cancer diagnosis can be extremely overwhelming and disheartening. Not only the patient, who has been diagnosed with it, but the family members also face a major setback. It could take some time to gather your energy up and bounce back towards the way forward – treatment. While you feel low and lost, it is important to remember that medical science has advanced, and there are advanced facilities available for Ovarian Cancer treatment in India. We have put together this guide to help you understand all the key steps towards efficient cancer care.
Understanding Ovarian Cancer:
Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries, which are a vital part of the female reproductive system. It is important to detect this cancer early, however, the symptoms sometimes might be very subtle and hence easily missed. The earlier the detection, the higher the chances of successful treatment. However, this does not mean that the cancer detected later cannot be healed. With the advancements in medical science, the treatment has become more efficient, and the success rate is higher, too.
Stages of Ovarian Cancer:
The cancer detected earlier has higher chances of speedy recovery, whereas later-stage detection could be complex to treat. We’ve put together the details about the different stages of ovarian cancer for your better understanding:
- Stage 1: At this stage, cancer is confined to the ovaries only. This stage is further elaborated in 3 different sub-stages:
- 1A: This stage suggests that cancer has spread to one ovary.
- 1B: This stage indicates that the cancer has spread in both the ovaries.
- 1C: This stage is more complex, where the cancer is present in one or both ovaries and is also found in abdominal fluid or has spread on the ovary surface.
- Stage 2: In this stage, the disease has extended and spread to the pelvis area as well. It has 2 sub-stages:
- 2A: This stage indicates that cancer has reached the fallopian tubes or uterus.
- 2B: This stage specifies that the disease has spread to the bladder or rectum.
- Stage 3: This stage is more complex as the disease has spread to the abdominal areas and lymph nodes. This stage is further divided into 3 sub-stages:
- 3A: Cancer cells are present in the abdominal lining and lymph nodes but are not visible.
- 3B: In this stage, the cancer is spread in the abdominal cavity and is visible. The size of the cancer is ≤2 cm.
- 3C: This stage indicates further complexities, where the disease has spread extensively in the abdomen and has also reached the lymph nodes. The size of the cancer here is >2 cm
- Stage 4: This is also called the final stage because the ailment has advanced in the distant organs as well. Here are the sub-stages of this:
- 4A: In this stage, the cancer cells are detected in the fluid around the lungs.
- 4B: The cancerous cells are spread in major distant organs such as the liver, lungs, etc.
Detailed and systematic diagnosis helps in increasing the chances of effective treatment.
Did You Know?
As per the Future Market Intelligence Report, India’s medical tourism industry’s evaluation was $8.7 billion in 2023 and it is projected to grow by $50,671 million by the year 2023.
Available Ovarian Cancer Treatments in India
India is making remarkable strides in cancer care and emerging as a preferred choice for advanced treatment, not only within the country but abroad as well. For the treatment of ovarian cancer, the oncologists first conduct a thorough diagnosis via different screenings and tests. This helps in identifying the state and severity of the ailment. Based on that, the expert oncologists plan the set of most suitable treatments. Here are the key treatments involved in treating ovarian cancer:
- Surgical Treatments: For early-stage cancers, surgery is considered to be the best treatment option. In some cases, the oncologists remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes. In other cases, the uterus is removed entirely. It may require surgical removal of fatty tissues in the abdomen (omentum).
- Chemotherapy: This therapy is used especially to treat advanced stages of cancer, where compounds are used to kill the remaining cancer cells in the body.
- Targeted Therapy: In this therapy, the drugs target the specific molecules involved in cancer growth. PARP inhibitors are used for patients with certain genetic mutations. Bevacizumab is an angiogenesis inhibitor that targets the growth of cancer in the blood vessels.
- Immunotherapy: At present, immunotherapy is not considered the standard treatment for ovarian cancer. There are several researches underway for this, and medical experts are hopeful to know more about the potential of this therapy for treating this kind of cancer in women.
- Radiation Therapy: This therapy is used very rarely for treating cancer in the ovaries. However, in some special cases, oncologists may recommend using this treatment.
- Palliative Care: This treatment mainly focuses on managing pain and providing nutritional as well as emotional support to the patients. It is more of a symptom management and improving the overall well-being of the patient.
Recovery After Ovarian Cancer Treatment
As with the disease itself, the treatment process is complex and so is the recovery path. To ensure you bounce back effectively after you have completed your ovarian cancer treatment, it’s important to follow the path of comprehensive healing and recovery. This includes both physical as well as mental & emotional recovery. Here are the key steps expert oncologists suggest for recovery after the ovarian cancer treatment:
- If the patient has undergone surgery, she will need proper physical rest and let the wounds heal before resuming normal day-to-day activities.
- The recovery process post-op requires pain management, and the patient is prescribed medications as well to reduce the pain and speed up healing.
- In the case of chemotherapy, there are certain side effects that follow. These include fluctuation in blood count, constant tiredness, nausea, and low self-esteem. Doctors make a proper plan to monitor and effectively support the patient during this time of recovery.
- In certain cases, ovarian cancer treatment may increase the chances of early menopause, which brings in hormonal changes and follow-up symptoms. It is recommended to discuss with expert gynacologists and your oncologists regarding the symptoms (hot flashes/dryness in vagina etc.). This helps is speedier recovery and support throughout the process.
- Counselling of the patients and frequent visits to the oncologists to keep track of recovery status are very significant.
Cost of Ovarian Cancer Treatment in India
The cost of ovarian cancer treatment in Indian varies on several factors such as complexity of diagnosis, stage of cancer, type of treatment, and the city of treatment. However, looking at the ballpark figure, the cost ranges from ₹3.5 lakh to ₹17 lakh (approximately $4,000 to $20,000). This cost figure is for international patients seeking treatment in India. The cost for domestic patients is relatively lower. To get detailed insights on the cost estimation, visit our dedicated page for Cost of Ovarian Cancer Treatment in India.
Best Doctors for Ovarian Cancer Treatment in India
India inhibits highly trained and experienced oncologists, specializing in the field of ovarian cancer. Some of the names to be mentioned here are:
- Dr. Vinod Raina (with 40 years of experience),
- Dr. Rajesh Mistry (with 35 years of experience),
- Dr. Harit Chaturvedi (with 34 years of experience)
Access the full list of reliable doctors for ovarian cancer treatment in India here.
Best Hospitals for Ovarian Cancer Treatment in India
If you are seeking Ovarian Cancer Treatment in India, the country has several hospitals equipped with international-standard technology. Some of the key hospitals include:
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
- Medanta – The Medicity, Gurugram,
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram
However, these are just a few names, you can get access to the detailed list of top-notch hospitals in India for ovarian cancer treatment here.
Why do International Patients Select India for Ovarian Cancer Treatment?
International patients are opting for India for ovarian cancer treatments. The country has made great advancements in medical science practices and cancer treatments. As per the experts, medical tourism overall in India is on the rise, and ten years from now, it is likely to reach the 42.5 billion mark. Cancer treatment is a major part of the entire medical tourism. Here are the key components about India which make it a preferred choice amongst patients abroad:
- Advanced Medical Solutions: Medical technology in India is paving its way towards high-tech healthcare. The medical facilities here are of international accreditation. The hospitals are equipped with skillful medical professionals and medical equipment.
- Skilled and Knowledeable Oncologists: The doctors and surgeons in India are trained at world-class medical institutes in India and abroad. Their expertise and years of experience make them excellent medical resources for the country.
- Budget-friendly Treatment: Cancer care is relatively less expensive in India as compared to Western countries. The patients can experience the benefits of advanced medical services, experienced consultation, and comfortable medical tourism services at a relatively nominal cost.
- Excellent Medical Tourism Support: Indian medical tourism is rising in a positive direction. Patients coming from different parts of the world can get complete support for travel, accommodation, visa assistance, and medical consultation support.
- Infrastructure and Accessibility: India has top-notch infrastructure in the metropolitan cities, where most of the advanced cancer care hospitals are located. This makes it easy to commute and access all required facilities without any hassle. English is spoken and understood widely across the country, making it easy for foreign medical tourists to communicate effectively.
Good to Know!
Ovarian cancer is considered to be the most challenging type of cancer to treat because of late diagnosis. This cancer normally does not show symptoms at early stages and is often discovered at advanced stages. Experts recommend getting frequent health check-ups and not ignoring even the smallest symptoms.
Why Choose Cancerrounds?
CancerRounds could be a great assistant to you for accessing the best Ovarian Cancer Treatment in India. Our expert team understands that it can be highly challenging to navigate through the treatment process. Therefore, we work passionately to guide you throughout this process. Our services range from connecting you with experienced oncologists to providing you full assistance with financial aid, stay, and travel.
Our services are:
- Cancer care consultation
- Guidance in selecting the best cancer hospital as per your requirement
- Connecting you with the best oncologists
- Help you in estimating the cost
- Financial aid
- Medical tourism services: Visa, travel, and accommodation
Conclusion:
Ovarian cancer treatment in India has reached an advanced level, and there are world-class treatments available. Expert oncologists recommend that patients should undergo an early diagnosis and get the most suitable treatment started as soon as possible. Since the cost of cancer treatment is relatively low in India and the treatment standards are high, many foreign patients prefer India for their treatment. Women suffering from this painful and challenging disease can get relief via effective and proper treatment. Do not lose hope, and give the disease the toughest fight ever!
