Cost of Chemotherapy in Chennai
April 28, 2022 Cancer Hub 350 ViewsFactors Affecting the Cost of Chemotherapy in Chennai
Selection of Hospital for Chemotherapy in Chennai
The cost of chemotherapy varies in different cities and across different hospitals. Private multispecialty hospitals have a higher nurse-to-patient ratio, latest equipment, and better infrastructure, so the cost of chemotherapy is usually higher in private hospitals. The cost of chemotherapy is mostly lesser in good government hospitals.
You can get chemotherapy done in the following best hospitals in Chennai city:
Other Hospitals for chemotherapy in Chennai city
Selection of Doctor for Chemotherapy in Chennai:
The doctor’s charges for chemotherapy in Chennai also add up to the total bill for the treatment. Senior and experienced doctors in private hospitals usually have higher consultation fees and treatment charges, compared to junior doctors or doctors in government hospitals.
Some of the best Oncologists performing chemotherapy in Chennai city are:
Best Oncologists in Chennai for Chemotherapy
Best Oncologists/Cancer Specialists in Chennai for Chemotherapy
Stage and Type of cancer:
The cost of chemotherapy varies depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. Chemotherapy cost is relatively low if the cancer is diagnosed in the early stages rather than an advanced stage.
Type of Chemotherapy in Chennai:
The cost of chemotherapy varies depending on the type of drugs used and the method in which chemotherapy is provided. The average cost of chemotherapy in Chennai is INR 55,000 to INR 2,80,000 per session.
The cost varies depending on the type of drug used for chemotherapy. The following are the different types of drugs used in chemotherapy:
- Alkylating agents
- Antimetabolites
- Plant alkaloids
- Anti-tumor antibiotics
- Topoisomerase inhibitors
- Corticosteroids
Chemotherapy can be provided in the following ways:
- Intravenously (IV) or directly injected into the vein. IV chemotherapy can cost between INR 70,000 to INR 1,05,000.
- Oral chemotherapy is delivered through pills. The cost of oral chemotherapy is between INR 56,000 to INR 70,000.
- The cost of a chemotherapy port (a device implanted under the skin to deliver the chemotherapy drugs to a large vein in the upper chest area) is slightly more as it involves minor surgery. The cost of chemotherapy drugs delivered through a port is between INR 2,10,000 to INR 2,80,000.
- Palliative chemotherapy is performed when cancer has spread and chemotherapy fails to cure it. The cost of palliative chemotherapy is about INR 40,000 per day.
Treatment plan:
Sometimes, chemotherapy is given in combination with radiation therapy or surgery. The cost varies based on the plan of treatment for a particular patient.
Risk factors of the Chemotherapy in Chennai:
In some cases, like pre-existing medical disorders in patients, a complicated case at the time of the procedure, or some cases of unpredictable complications during the procedure, the doctor’s team may have to perform another procedure before or after the main procedure, to control the complications.
In most cases, the risks involved are always informed to the patient prior to the surgery, except for unpredictable complications. These are additional charges added to the cost of chemotherapy.
In cases of complications, post-procedure management and care also involve the additional costs.
Insurance coverage for Chemotherapy in Chennai:
The overall cost of treatment also may reduce, depending upon the insurance plan of the patient. Whether and how much of the chemotherapy cost in Chennai city is covered by the insurance depends upon the insurance provider and the insurance policy of the patient.
Some patients may also choose better services from the hospital, whether or not it is covered by their insurance plans of the patient.
Cost Break up of Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy cost in Chennai has the following cost components, which are added up to the overall cost of the treatment:
Hospital Charges for Chemotherapy in Chennai:
These charges include the Operation Theatre (OT) charges; cost of the patient room (whether it is single, double, or triple occupancy, economy class, number of days patient is kept in the room before and after the chemotherapy, where the cost of the single room is the highest). In case of complications during or after chemotherapy, the patient is monitored in ICU, till the patient is stabilized. ICU charges are added to the total bill of chemotherapy.
Surgeon Charges for Chemotherapy in Chennai:
The total cost of chemotherapy will have the doctor fees which may vary from doctor to doctor. The surgeon’s charges also vary according to the complexity of chemotherapy.
Diagnostic tests for Chemotherapy:
Diagnostic tests charges for chemotherapy are additional components of the total cost of chemotherapy in Chennai city. These are added up to the overall cost. The diagnostic test charges for chemotherapy in Chennai city vary according to hospitals. The diagnostic test charges will be higher in private hospital setup than in government hospital setup.
The diagnostic tests for chemotherapy in Chennai city are:
- Blood tests
- Tissue biopsy
- Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)
- Pap test
- Colonoscopy
- Chest x-ray
- Rectal examination
Cost of an anesthesiologist:
Chemotherapy is generally done under topical anesthesia, local anesthesia, or conscious sedation to make the procedure painless and comfortable for the patient. The cost of anesthesia and anesthesiologist is added to the total cost of chemotherapy.
Cost of medications for Chemotherapy:
The surgeon will usually prescribe medications before and after chemotherapy for a good treatment experience. These medications add to the total expenditure of chemotherapy. Although some non-medical items are covered under insurance, many medications are expensive and increase the overall cost of chemotherapy.
We hope we were able to answer your doubts about factors affecting the cost of chemotherapy in Chennai city through this article. To know more about chemotherapy, click here: Chemotherapy
