The intestine, gallbladder and the liver are all connected by the small tube that is known as the ducts. When the DNA of these healthy cells changes, it expands out of control, and it develops into a tumour. Slowly, these tumour cells lead to the development of cancer cells. India is the best choice for treatment because it ranks high among other countries. Bile duct cancer treatment cost in India ranges from INR 3,10,000 to INR 15,00,000. This blog presents an overview of treatment costs, success rates, and the top hospitals to aid your decision.
Understanding Bile Duct Cancer
Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare type of cancer that develops in the bile duct. If the bile duct increases more than usual, then it starts forming into a tumour, which slowly leads to bile duct cancer. The bile duct is a thin tube that supplies the fluid to the intestine, which helps in the digestion of fats. It is connected with the liver, the intestine, and the gallbladder.
Factors Affecting Bile Duct Cancer Treatment Cost in India
Treatment costs fluctuate depending on various factors. The things that affect them are as follows:
- Treatment Type: The cost of the surgery also depends on the type of treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation. They may cost less than the surgery, but these therapies work only in the early stages.
- Tests and Screening: The additional services, like tests, hospital stays, and travel expenses, increase the cost by 10% to 15%.
- Expertise of the Doctor: Top surgeons increase their fees because of their skills, expertise, and success rate.
- Complications of a Disease: After the surgery, there is a small chance of having an infection. It can increase the cost of treatment by 20-30%.
- Hospital you opt for: Private hospitals are more costly than government hospitals, as private hospitals provide better facilities and have less waiting time.
- Location of Hospital: The cost of surgery varies according to the location, like Mumbai or Delhi is 20-30% higher than that in Tamil Nadu or Kolkata.
Cost Breakdown of Bile Duct Cancer Treatment
Given below is a detailed cost breakdown of bile duct cancer treatment in India:
Initial Screening
Screening and pretests are done to check the patient’s health condition before the surgery. Organs like the gallbladder and lungs are checked to see if they are functioning properly before the surgery. It costs around INR 35,500 to INR 85,200 for tests such as blood tests, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI.
Surgeon’s Fee
The doctor’s fee depends on the skills and experience of the doctor. The doctors who are trained internationally charge high fees. But the average fee for the surgery is INR 2,82,000 to INR 6,75,000, and around INR 4,20,000 to INR 8,40,000 for the pancreaticoduodenectomy.
Chemotherapy Cost
Chemotherapy is a drug that is used to destroy cancer cells and to stop their growth. It is given before or even after the treatment. Usually, it is given after the surgery or radiation therapy. There are four to eight cycles in chemotherapy, and it costs around INR 35,000 to INR 1,80,000 per cycle.
Hospitalisation Cost
After the surgery is completed, the patient has to stay at least four to six days in the hospital, under the care of nurses. The patient is hospitalised so that the initial complications after the surgery can be addressed and treated under the guidance of a doctor. It costs around INR 24,000 to INR 92,000 for the hospitalisation, but it also depends on the overall health of the patient.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, is a treatment for bile duct cancer that uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. It damages the DNA of cancer cells and stops their growth. It is also used to shrink the tumour before the surgery. There are around 25-30 sessions of radiation therapy, and it costs around INR 1,80,000 to INR 4,90,000.
Medications/Follow-up
After the surgery is completed, anti-infection drugs are to be taken for a few months to prevent infection. Oral chemotherapy drugs are given for at least six months to reduce the risk of developing cancer again. It costs around INR 8,000 to INR 25,000 monthly for medication.
Why choose India for Bile Duct Cancer Treatment?
India will be the best option for bile duct cancer treatment, because they have high-standard facilities and care at pocket-friendly costs. The doctors are specialists in their skills, and they have their training not only in India but also in Western countries. They have utilised technologies like radioembolization, laser surgery, and many more to provide treatment at a very low rate, which is 60-70% less than the price in the USA or the UK. The hospitals are fully equipped and counselling as part of the care being offered.
India has multinational hospitals approved by JCI. It has professional oncologists who have been trained and are specialised in gastrointestinal cancers. The medical tourism industry provides translators, travel guides, documentation support, and other services to facilitate easier access. There are staff who can talk in English and are helpful when you are far from your country.
Cost Effectiveness and Bile Duct Cancer Treatment Success Rate
India provides low-cost treatment without compromising the success rate of the treatment. In India, the treatment cost may lesser compared to Western and European countries. The price of chemotherapy per cycle is INR 35,000 to INR 1,80,000 here, but it is more than $10,000 in Western countries. Even the survival rates are at par, 40-70% for localised cases, and can even reach 99% for early detection.
Patients treated with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or any targeted therapy in India are found to have better survival rates than the global ones. India’s inexpensive healthcare makes it possible for a greater number of patients to finish their therapy and thus prolong their life span. Here you can get the best quality treatment without going over budget, which is the most logical decision to make.
Top Hospitals for Bile Duct Cancer Treatment in India
Here are some of the top hospitals for treatment in India:
Apollo Athena Women’s Cancer Centre
Apollo Athena Women’s Cancer Centre is Asia’s first cancer hospital that deals only with female cancer patients. It is the branch of Apollo Hospitals Group. The centre combines highly advanced treatment facilities, up-to-date infrastructure, and a team of internationally recognised oncologists. Every factor of the centre is aimed at providing women a safe, private, and dignified environment for healing. The total cost of bile duct cancer treatment ranges in Apollo Athena Women’s Cancer Centre ranges from INR 3,25,600 to INR 6,82,400.
Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital
Fortis Hospital is known all across the world for its dedication to perfection and patient-centric care. This multidisciplinary hospital is fully certified and approved by the NABH. The well-equipped hospital, Renal Science, Organ Transplant, Critical Care, Neuro Science, and more, facilitates the availability of medical services to the broadest possible range of health requirements. It cost ranges from INR 3,10,000 to INR 7,20,000 for bile duct cancer treatment at Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital.
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi
It is one of India’s most advanced multi-speciality hospitals, which provides global medical standards with individualised care. International patients trust it as a destination for world-class treatment. It is the branch hospital of Apollo Hospitals Group. The hospital is also recognised as the first hospital in India to achieve the Joint Commission International certification and is still holding that record after being awarded several times continuously. The average cost of bile duct cancer treatment is around INR 3,35,300 to INR 6,18,400.
Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi
It is one of India’s most reliable multi-super-speciality hospitals. The hospital is a part of the Max Healthcare Network. It is known for bringing together advanced medical technology, international license, and globally trained specialists all under one roof. The cost of bile duct cancer treatment at Max Hospital ranges from INR 4,05,000 to INR 7,10,000.
Conclusion
India presents a combination of affordable and high-quality bile duct cancer treatment. The price is only one-fifth of that of Western countries. Also, the survival rates in India for this treatment are at par with global standards, that is, 40-76% for early cases. Cancer phase, choice of a hospital, and treatment method are the key determinants of the price.