Cost of External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi
August 22, 2022 Cancer Hub 232 ViewsFactors Affecting the Cost of External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi
Selection of Hospital for External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi
The cost of external beam radiation therapy varies in different cities and across different hospitals. Private multispecialty hospitals have a higher nurse-to-patient ratio, the latest equipment, and better infrastructure, so the cost of external beam radiation therapy is usually higher in private hospitals. The cost of external beam radiation therapy is mostly lesser in good government hospitals.
You can get external beam radiation therapy done in the following best hospitals in Delhi:
Other Hospitals for external beam radiation therapy in Delhi city
Selection of Doctor for External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi:
The doctor’s charges for external beam radiation therapy in Delhi 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 Radiation Oncologists performing external beam radiation therapy in Delhi city are:
Other best Radiation Oncologists performing external beam radiation therapy in Delhi city
Type of External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi:
The total cost of external beam radiation therapy in Delhi is between INR 3,00,000 to INR 20,00,000.
The cost of external beam radiation therapy in Delhi varies depending on the type of beam used for the procedure. The different types of beams include:
- Photon beam radiation therapy: It is the same type of radiation used during an x-ray but in a much higher quantity. They are emitted by a machine called a linear accelerator.
- Particle beam radiation therapy: Particle beams are separate energy units, like a neutron or proton. This kind of radiation is emitted by a special type of machine, called a particle accelerator, like a synchrotron or cyclotron.
- Electron beam radiation therapy: Electron beams are separate energy units and may act as particle beams or can be converted into photon beam radiation. They are normally used for treating skin cancers or cancers near the surface of the body. They may be emitted from a linear accelerator or a particle accelerator.
The cost of external beam radiation therapy also varies depending on the type of external beam radiation therapy used. The different types of external beam radiation therapies include:
- 3D conformal radiation therapy: Computed tomography or CT scans and special computer software help to create a three-dimensional computer model of the treatment area. Treatment is targeted to the tumor region perfectly, not affecting the surrounding normal tissue.
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT): IMRT helps in providing precise radiation therapy. The multi-beam system varies in the intensity of the radiation dose and narrows in on the diseased cells. VMAT involves performing this procedure over an arc, which is quicker.
- Image guided radiotherapy (IGRT): Three-dimensional imaging is done before treatment to help in better precision of the target. This can be performed by using imaging tests like CT scans, x-rays, and ultrasounds.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery or gamma knife radiosurgery: This type of treatment focuses on giving high doses of intense radiation to the targets outside the head region.
- Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT): This therapy helps in radiation delivery at the time of the surgery, avoiding the need for external radiation after surgery. It provides radiation that is more focused on areas that have some tumors left behind.
Risk factors of External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi:
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 surgery or 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 external beam radiation therapy.
In cases of complications, post-procedure complications management and care also involve additional costs.
Insurance coverage for External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi:
The overall cost of treatment also may reduce, depending upon the insurance plan of the patient. Whether and how much of the external beam radiation therapy cost in Delhi 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 the insurance plans of the patient.
Cost Break up of External Beam Radiation Therapy:
External beam radiation therapy cost in Delhi has the following cost components, which are added up to the overall cost of the treatment:
Hospital Charges for External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi:
These charges include the Operation Theatre (OT) charges; the cost of the patient room (whether it is single, double, or triple occupancy, economy class, and the number of days the patient is kept in the room before and after the external beam radiation therapy, where the cost of the single room is the highest). In case of complications during or after external beam radiation therapy, the patient is monitored in ICU, till the patient is stabilized. ICU charges are added to the total bill of external beam radiation therapy.
Surgeon Charges for External Beam Radiation Therapy in Delhi:
The total cost of external beam radiation therapy will have the doctor fees which may vary from doctor to doctor. The surgeon’s charges also vary according to the complexity of the external beam radiation therapy.
Diagnostic tests for External Beam Radiation Therapy:
Diagnostic test charges for external beam radiation therapy are additional components of the total cost of external beam radiation therapy in Delhi city. These are added up to the overall cost. The diagnostic test charges for external beam radiation therapy in Delhi 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 external beam radiation therapy in Delhi city are:
- CT scan
- MRI scan
- Endoscopy
- Blood tests
- Biopsy
Cost of an anesthesiologist:
External beam radiation therapy may be done under general anesthesia in cases of children or uncooperative patients. In the case of adults, the procedure is usually done under sedation. Anesthesia makes the procedure painless and comfortable for the patient. The cost of anesthesia and anesthesiologist is added to the total cost of external beam radiation therapy.
Cost of medications for External Beam Radiation Therapy:
The surgeon will usually prescribe medications before and after external beam radiation therapy for a good treatment experience. These medications add to the total expenditure of external beam radiation therapy. Although some non-medical items are covered under insurance, many medications are expensive and increase the overall cost of external beam radiation therapy.
We hope we were able to answer your doubts about factors affecting the cost of external beam radiation therapy in Delhi city through this article.