A person dealing with a fierce battle with cancer already has a physical and emotional toll looming over them. Add to this the financial strains of cancer treatment, and it starts to take on a more excruciating mental burden on the person. However, this does not have to be the case. For thousands of cancer patients in India, radiation therapy can prove to be an effective and life-saving treatment, originating in the 1890s and still today, showcasing positive impacts. But it is also necessary to understand the cost implications that come with this treatment.
To guide you through these radiotherapy costs, the following guide provides a thorough overview of radiation therapy, its costs in India, city-wise pricing variations, types of radiation therapy, cost breakdowns, insurance coverage, and a guide to purchasing insurance via Coverfox.
What Is Radiation Therapy?
The treatment which uses ionised radiation to kill off cancerous cells and help shrink tumours can be termed as radiation therapy. It is important to note that it does not work right away, but it does in the following days or weeks to effectively cause cancer cell death. It does so by interfering with the DNA of these cancerous cells, thereby targeting and damaging them. This therapy can be carried out both internally and externally.
What’s the Typical Cost of Radiation Therapy in India?
The typical radiation cost in India can vary based on different factors such as the hospital, the city you are based in, the severity of the cancer, and the type of treatment.
In general, the average radiotherapy cost can be described as:
Radiation therapy cost per session
Can amount to between ₹60,000 and ₹3,00,000 per session.
Total radiation therapy cost
Can come up to a total range between ₹22,00,000 and ₹23,00,000, considering multiple factors like the complexity of treatment and the number of sessions.
City-Wise Radiation Therapy Pricing in India
Based on the location you want to avail these treatments in, the cost will vary accordingly. To help you understand better, here is a city-wise breakdown of costs:
| City | Approximate Cost Range (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Chennai | ₹ 4,75,000 to ₹ 19,00,000 |
| Mumbai | ₹ 5,50,000 to ₹ 22,00,000 |
| Bangalore | ₹ 5,00,000 to ₹ 20,00,000 |
| Pune | ₹ 5,00,000 to ₹ 20,00,000 |
| Gurgaon | ₹ 5,00,000 to ₹ 20,00,000 |
| Delhi | ₹ 5,25,000 to ₹ 21,00,000 |
| Hyderabad | ₹ 2,50,000 to ₹ 20,00,000 |
| Visakhapatnam | ₹ 2,50,000 to ₹ 15,00,000 |
| Indore | ₹ 2,50,000 to ₹ 14,00,000 |
| Aurangabad | ₹ 2,50,000 to ₹ 12,00,000 |
| Raipur | ₹ 2,50,000 to ₹ 14,00,000 |
| Bhubaneswar | ₹ 2,50,000 to ₹ 15,00,000 |
| Nagpur | ₹ 2,50,000 to ₹ 13,00,000 |
We notice that Tier-1 cities like Mumbai, Pune, Chennai and Gurgaon will showcase higher radiation therapy costs, due to advanced technology like Proton Beam Therapy and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), compared to the more affordable options represented in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Different Forms of Radiation Therapy
When we talk about the forms of Radiation Therapy, it can be divided into two types:
1. External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT):
This therapy uses high-energy radiation to target tumours located deep within the body and is said not to cause pain, as it requires no incision on the body. This is the most common type of therapy and is beneficial during times of emergency.
There are various types located under this therapy:
- 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT)
- Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
- Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
- Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
2. Internal Radiation Therapy:
This therapy is also referred to as brachytherapy and treats cancer in regions like the prostate, head, neck, skin, lungs, gall bladder, eye, rectum, breast, and more. The radioactive materials like Iridium-192, Caesium-137, and Iodine-125 are positioned close to the tumour itself, targeting cancer cells with ultimate precision.
A Breakdown of Pre- and Post-Radiation Treatment Costs
By carefully taking into account the various costs associated with radiation therapy, it is possible to manage one’s finances to meet these costs. Let us see the following table, which considers both pre- and post-radiation treatment costs, along with certain additional costs as well.
Pre-Radiation Treatment Costs
| Cost Category | Description | Estimated Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor Consultation | Fees vary by hospital and specialist. | ₹ 500 – ₹ 5,000 |
| Diagnostic Tests | Includes blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRI, PET scans, and biopsies to assess the tumour and plan treatment. | ₹5,000 – ₹ 40,000 |
| Treatment Simulation | Advanced imaging to map the treatment area precisely. | ₹3,000 – ₹ 10,000 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | Additional costs, such as medications for chronic conditions and other related expenses. | Varies |
Post-Radiation Treatment Costs
| Cost Category | Description | Estimated Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Routine Check-ups | Follow-up consultations with the oncologist to monitor recovery. | Around 600 per session |
| Post-Treatment Tests | Diagnostic and imaging tests to evaluate treatment effectiveness. | Varies |
| Managing Side-Effects | Medications and possible hospitalisation for side-effect management. | ₹ 10,000 – ₹ 50,000 |
| Support Services | Caregivers or additional support during recovery. | Varies |
Note: All figure estimates are compiled as of the year 2025.
What Influences the Price of Radiation Therapy?
There are multiple factors that can influence radiotherapy cost. These are:
Type of Radiation Therapy
Advanced therapies like Proton Beam Therapy are costlier and available in select cities, while EBRT treatment is considered the more affordable choice in some cities.
Number of sessions
The more sessions, there will be an increase in overall cost.
Location
As seen above, where you conduct your treatment also has an impact on cost, as Tier-1 cities display higher costs due to advanced technology compared to Tier-2 or Tier-3 cities.
Hospital
The type of hospital where treatment is conducted impacts cost, as private hospitals will charge higher compared to government hospitals that offer low or even free treatments.
Insurance Coverage and Financial Help for Radiation Therapy
Many health insurance plans in India offer coverage for hospitalisation expenses and cancer treatment-related costs, such as radiation therapy. If not already covered, they may be available through add-ons. Consider the following:
1. Standard Health Plans
These cover some treatment costs but have limits. For cancer, it’s better to get special cancer insurance.
2. Critical Illness Insurance
Gives a lump sum to help with cancer costs or other expenses. You can use it however you want, helping with both medical and non-medical expenses.
3. Disease-Specific Plans
Focus only on cancer care. Usually cheaper and covers surgery, radiation, and more. Good for cancer patients, and better to consider for those at higher risk.
How to Purchase a Plan from Coverfox Insurance
Are you looking to purchase the right medical insurance plan that is tailor-made for you? Coverfox is here to make this process simple for you through just a few quick steps:
Step 1: Visit the Coverfox Website
Go ahead and open the official Coverfox website, a user-friendly platform to smoothly guide you through your insurance buying process.
Step 2: Select Your Family Members
Choose the people you want under your plan, be it your spouse, children or other family members, for added protection.
Step 3: Fill in Basic Information
Fill in details such as age, gender, health status, and lifestyle habits, to let Coverfox gain a basic idea of the medical insurance plan that will suit you best.
Step 4: Browse Available Plans
Coverfox will display plans from top insurance providers, so you can go ahead and choose the one that meets your needs (including cancer-specific policies).
Step 5: Compare Features
Make sure to compare and review multiple plans to get a better idea of the coverage specifics and benefits offered by each.
Step 6: Buy the Plan
Once you have decided upon a plan, go ahead and purchase it online on Coverfox itself, with a secure payment portal.
Conclusion
In all, choosing radiation therapy is crucial for cancer treatment, but one also has to consider the costs that come with it. That is why being aware of the radiotherapy cost, including pre- and post-treatment expenses, helps in better financial planning. Go ahead and equip yourself with the right health insurance plan from Coverfox to provide you with well-needed financial relief so you can exclusively focus on your treatment. By selecting and purchasing suitable medical insurance plans on Coverfox, you can ensure comprehensive coverage for radiation therapy costs—and it saves your time and efforts as well!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any side effects of radiation therapy?
There may be potential side effects of radiation therapy, which can include fatigue, loss of hair, low blood count, and skin issues like redness, irritation, swelling, blisters, itching, etc.
What is the duration of radiation therapy?
The duration of radiation therapy depends on the type of cancer, the severity of the condition, and the form of therapy. In general, it may last from up to a few days to several weeks.
What is the average cost of radiation therapy in India?
The average cost of radiation therapy in India can be estimated to be around 11,00,000. However, it is dependent on multiple factors, and that is why it is not possible to give a fixed estimate.
Is radiation therapy typically covered by health insurance in India?
Yes. Most of the standard Health insurance plans in India cover the hospital expenses under radiation therapy, unless stated otherwise. However, it is recommended to purchase a cancer-specific health policy or critical illness cover for better health protection.
Which cities in India offer the most affordable radiation therapy options?
In India, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, and Bhopal can generally be considered to have affordable costs.
How many radiation therapy sessions are usually needed, and what is the radiation therapy cost?
Every patient’s treatment differs based on their anatomy and severity of condition, with even side effects impacting the frequency. One can expect radiation therapy treatments to last for five days per week for several weeks in general. The cost per session may range between Rs 60,000 and Rs 3,00,000.
Is radiation therapy suitable for treating every type of cancer?
Radiation therapy is known to be effective in treating multiple types of cancers, such as cancer within the blood, bone, brain, breast, cervix, colon, oesophagus, eye, head and neck, liver, lung, prostate, thyroid, and others.
