Understanding the Cost of Cancer Treatment: A Detailed India vs USA Analysis

Overview

Cancer is one of the deadliest health ailments prevailing across the globe. It claims a total of almost 10 million deaths in the year 2020, which accounts for one death in six, according to a report by the World Health Organisation. In India, a total of approximately 13.92 lakh cases were observed in the year 2020, which depicts the extent of this calamitous disease that has now spread among all generations. For many patients and their families, understanding the cost of treating cancer becomes as important as understanding the diagnosis itself. The cancer treatment cost will also vary substantially depending on the cancer type, diagnostic stage, hospital, and country.

What Is Cancer Treatment?

Cancer treatment is a general term that refers to the medical treatment or therapies that are needed to eliminate, destroy, or control cancer cells within the body. Before getting information about the cancer treatment cost you need to be aware of the treatment plans. These treatment plans are designed and created individually for a patient, taking into consideration:

• Cancer type 
• Cancer stage
• Cancer spread
• Patient’s age 
• Overall health 
• Treatment objectives

Majority of patients require various treatment techniques, affecting the overall cancer treatment cost.

Types of Cancer Treatments and Their Costs

The cost structure of all treatments is not the same. Here is a breakdown of the cancer treatment cost options. 

Surgery 

In surgery, the removal of the tumour, the surrounding lymph tissue, or even the entire organ may be needed. These include, breast conservation surgery, bowel removal, lobectomy, tumour removal, or prostate removal. These may affect the overall cost of the surgery and the time taken to recover.

Cost factors: 

• Surgery complexity 
• Hospital stay duration
• Surgeon’s expertise
• ICU
• Post-operative care

Estimated cost: 

• India: INR 75,000 – 4,00,000+
• USA: $15,000 – $60,000

Undoubtedly, the surgical cancer treatment cost significantly increase. It happens only if complications are required. 

Chemotherapy

The treatment entails the administration of anti-cancer drugs either intravenously or orally to eradicate the cancer cells. A routine blood test is conducted before each course of treatment, with additional medicines supplied to help reduce side effects. The total expenses depend on the types of drugs involved and the total number of treatment sessions.

This approach is commonly used as a key part of breast cancer treatment, lung cancer treatment, and different other cancer treatments, helping patients manage the disease effectively with proper medical supervision.

Cost factors: 

• Number of cycles
• Drug type 
• Supportive medications

Estimated cost: 

• India: 15,000 – 2,00,000 per cycle
• USA: $1,000 – $12,000

The total cancer treatment cost increases when there is a requirement for an ample number of chemotherapy cycles. 

Radiation 

Radiation therapy is responsible for eradicating cancer cells. High-energy rays are involved in this treatment. Moreover, some enhanced techniques are available. Notably enhanced techniques include stereotactic radiosurgery and proton therapy. 

Types: 

• External beam radiation
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy
• Proton therapy

Estimated Cost: 

• India: INR 80,000 – 5,00,000
• USA: $10,000 – $50,000

As there are enhanced radiation methods, the cancer treatment cost increases. 

Immunotherapy

Engages the immune system in recognising and attacking the tumour cells, often involving relatively new treatments, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors. These treatments are still relatively novel, with advancements happening at almost breakneck speeds, and are associated with steep price tags.

Estimated Cost: 

• India: INR 1,00,000 – 5,00,000+
• USA: $10,000 – $30,000

In developed countries, we have observed that immunotherapy increases overall cancer treatment cost. 

Targeted therapy 

A class of drugs that selectively target cancerous cells through specific genetic abnormalities and molecular pathways, with less damage to normal tissues. These drugs can be taken orally as well as through injection into a vein.

Estimated Cost: 

• India: INR 50,000 – 3,50,000+ per month
• USA: $5,000 – $15,000

Hormone therapy 

The majority of people are familiar with breast cancer. To cure breast cancer, hormone therapy is required. This therapy restricts hormones that trigger the growth of cancer. The cancer treatment cost of this therapy is lower than that of the others.

Estimated Cost: 

• India: INR 5,000 – INR 50,000 per month
• USA: $500 – $3,000 per month

Average Cancer Treatment Cost in India

When it comes to providing better-quality cancer treatment at an affordable price, India stands out. Based on city, hospital type and treatment complexity, the costs vary. 

Overall price range: 

• Early stage cancer: 2,00,000 – 5,00,000
• Advanced stage cancer: 10,00,000 – 25,00,000

Government hospitals: 

• Fully subsidised for a patient with some serious conditions. Sometimes it is also free for these patients. 

Private hospitals: 

• Higher cost, but with an enhanced technique, there are higher chances of improvement. 

Major metro cities in India provide world-class oncology treatment. By reviewing the above data, you might have known about the average cancer treatment cost in India.

Average Cancer Treatment Cost in the USA

When it comes to enhanced treatment facilities, the USA is at the forefront. Moreover, the cancer treatment cost is higher.

This higher cost can apply to advanced procedures involved in cervical cancer treatment, breast cancer treatment, and other cancer treatments, depending on the hospital, technology used, and treatment plan.

Overall price range: 

• Early-stage cancer: $40,000 – $80,000
• Advanced-stage cancer: $120,000 – $300,000+

Patients face expenses beyond their means. It happens even if the patient has insurance.

Cancer Treatment Cost in India vs USA

Here is a comparison chart of cancer treatment cost in India vs USA. Hence, India is an affordable destination for international patients seeking cancer treatment. 

Why the cost difference?

Here are the reasons for the cancer treatment cost difference: 

• Reduced operation costs in India 

Compared to the USA, hospitals in India incur lower costs for infrastructure, utilities, equipment, and administration. This enables lower treatment costs by reducing overheads.

• Cost-effective medical labour 

The doctors, nurses, and other medical staff in India are highly qualified, yet they are paid less given the country's economic conditions. This makes the cost of cancer treatment very low since the human capital is not compromised.

• Government regulations 

The Indian government is known to regulate the pricing of key anticancer drugs and to encourage the development and use of high-quality generic drugs. This helps to keep the cost of chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and supportive drugs within affordable limits.

• Technologies and similar success rates 

Advanced technologies such as IMRT, PET scans, robotic surgery, and immunotherapy are employed in leading US hospitals. Similarly, they are also utilised by leading Indian hospitals. Treatment outcomes and success rates are comparable. This is why India is a cost-effective alternative for a cancer treatment. 

Factors Affecting Cancer Treatment Cost

Here are the factors that affect the cancer treatment cost: 

• Cancer type and stage 

Each type of cancer needs a different treatment strategy. In early-stage cancer, fewer treatments are required, whereas in advanced stages, multiple intensive treatments are needed, thereby increasing the cost.

• Duration of treatment

The overall cost of cancer treatment is greatly increased by longer treatment durations that involve numerous chemotherapy cycles, radiation treatments, or prolonged hospital stays.

• Combination of therapy

Combining surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted or immunotherapy raises the cost because of the numerous procedures, drugs, and aftercare.

• Hospital infrastructure

Hospitals with modern technology, equipment, private rooms, and cancer centres tend to be more expensive than basic or government hospitals.

• Doctor’s experience

Oncologists with high levels of experience may charge more for consultation and procedures based on their expertise and success rates.

• Geographic location

The cost of treatment may differ from city to city and from country to country. The cancer treatment cost in metropolitan cities and developed countries is generally higher than that in smaller cities or developing countries.

To reduce the cancer treatment cost, it is better to detect it early.

Hidden and Additional Costs to Consider

Some hidden expenses are added to the total cancer treatment cost: 

• Diagnostic tests 

An ample number of tests are required to monitor the treatment. Moreover, these tests are required for cancer diagnosis. To increase the overall cancer treatment cost, these investigations are often repeated at various stages. 

• ICU and hospital stay fees

The overall cost of cancer treatment can be greatly increased by longer hospital stays, particularly in private rooms or intensive care units.

• Consultations for follow-up

Ongoing consultation costs result from the need for routine follow-up visits with oncologists after treatment to monitor recovery and identify recurrence.

• Supplements and medications 

Immunity boosters, supportive medicines and pain management drugs are added to the overall cancer treatment cost. This is how you can incur an extra charge.  

• Travel and other expenses 

When it comes to enhanced treatment, patients travel to metro cities. This is how travel, food, and other expenses are included in the cancer treatment cost. 

You need to plan for these costs.

Insurance Coverage and Financial Assistance

In India

• Health insurance coverage 

Most health insurance plans in India typically cover major cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hospitalisation. However, there may be certain limitations, waiting periods, and exclusions applicable to the plans.

• Government schemes 

Government schemes offer free or subsidised cancer care services to eligible families through empanelled government and private hospitals, thereby reducing the financial burden on economically weaker sections.

• NGO and trust-based financial support 

Some cancer patients cannot afford the total cost of treatment. In this case, the non-governmental organisations offer financial aid, free medications and subsidised treatment. 

In USA

• Private insurance reduces costs 

In the USA, private health insurance helps cover a substantial portion of the costs of cancer treatment. However, the patient must pay the remaining balance, which may include deductibles, co-payments, or uncovered services.

• High deductibles and co-pay

In many insurance programs, patients are required to pay a fixed amount or a large sum before coverage kicks in. It may still be financially stressful for patients with cancer.

• Government programs 

Medicare is a health insurance program that offers cancer treatment benefits to individuals who are 65 years of age and older or have certain disabilities. Even with the help of Medicare, patients can still incur an additional cancer treatment cost. It is especially applicable to medications and specialised care.

Ways to reduce cancer treatment costs

To reduce a cancer treatment cost these points cannot be ignored: 

• Diagnose early via screening
• Select the appropriate hospital 
• Plan health insurance 
• Schemes 
• Government hospitals 
• Medical tourism

Is cancer treatment in India worth the cost?

India offers: 

• Globally acclaimed oncologists 
• Enhanced technology
• Better success rates
• Saving up to 70-80% costs

Therefore, international patients who have cancer visit India for treatment. In other words, India is said to offer high-quality treatment at affordable prices.

Conclusion

Patients need to understand the cost of cancer treatment. Although modern treatment facilities are available worldwide, the cost of cancer treatment in India vs. the USA shows that high-quality treatment is not always associated with high costs. If patients are diagnosed early and make proper plans, they can easily afford the treatment. Hence, everyone should fight cancer with the appropriate treatment. Whether it is brain cancer treatment, breast cancer treatment, cervical cancer treatment, or bone cancer treatment, timely care and the right medical support can make a major difference. You will be able to avail the best treatment at an affordable cost. In India and the USA, cancer can be curable.