In one sentence, earlier the stage of Cancer, lesser the cost of treatment.

Now let us go into the details.

Remember, treating the cancer involves not just treating the visible tumor.

If you don’t do treatment for the invisible tumor, that cannot be detected by any scans, the tumor can reappear very fast.

So the treatment methods available to treat both the visible and invisible tumor includes

• Surgery
• Radiation
• Medicines ( Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy etc )

Cost of Surgery

In private sector, Breast Cancer Surgery can cost you anywhere from 50,000 INR to 2 lakhs.

Again, it depends on the geography. In some states and cities, the cost might be more while in others it might be less. It all depends on the cost it takes to deliver quality treatment in a given location.

Cost of Radiation

Radiation therapy, based on the precision of treatment, can cost anywhere from 30,000 INR to 2 lakhs.

Cost of Medicines (Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy etc)

Many medicines are used to prevent the tumor from growing back, or to control visible tumor. Based on their mechanism, they are classified as Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Targeted therapy, Hormone therapy etc.

These medicines are the most uncertain entity, when it comes to predicting cost. The same drugs, in the same geography, can cost anywhere from 5000 INR to 50,000 INR. It is because of the number of options available, both in terms of the choice of drugs used, and the choice of brands used.

Medicines like chemotherapy etc are used in periodic intervals, commonly called as ‘cycles’. So, remember, chemotherapy involves repeated expenses, not one-time expense. Knowing the cost of 1 cycle of treatment will help you to understand the total cost.