What is the Cost of Oral Cancer Treatment in India?

Oral cancer is one of the major problems in India. Every 1 out of 59 men and 1 in 139 women are suffering from oral cancer. It accounts for over 30% of all the cancers in India. Oral cancer can be fatal if it is not diagnosed and treated at an early stage. As a matter of fact, the cost of treating oral cancer is approximately Rs. 5,00,000 in India depending upon the severity of the disease. Too costly, right? Let us understand why this treatment is so costly.

What is Oral Cancer?

It is a type of cancer that affects the cells of the mouth. The general term for oral cancer is mouth cancer as it develops in the mouth and/or throat region. It can occur on the lips, tongue, gums, inner cheeks, roofs of the mouth, or the back of the throat.

Some of the common causes of oral cancer are:

• Smoking
• Excessive use of tobacco
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Family history
• certain HPV strain
• Poor oral hygiene
• Weaken immune system

Types of Oral Cancer

When we talk about oral cancer, it is the clubbed name of different diseases. It has several types as mentioned below:

Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

If you see the following signs, contact your doctor immediately.

• Mouth sores that won't heal
• Red or white patches inside the mouth
• Lump in the mouth or neck
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
• Loose teeth or dentures that don't fit
• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Numbness in the mouth
• Unexplained weight loss
• Changes in your voice
• Ear ache

Treatment of Oral Cancer

When diagnosed, treatment options for oral cancer may include:

Cost of Treating Oral Cancer in India

Here is an idea of the cost of treating oral cancer for your further understanding.

Surgery

The cost of surgery in India is around INR 1,50,000 to INR 3,00,000.

Radiation Therapy

Various kinds of radiation are widely available to treat cancer.

• External beam radiation therapy- Approx. INR 70,000 to INR 1,00,000
• Internal radiation therapy- Approx. INR 60,000 to INR 5,16,337
• Image-guided radiation therapy- Approx. INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy- Approx. INR 2,00,000 to INR 3,00,000.

Proton Therapy

This precisely delivers the beam of protons to disrupt the tumour cells. It costs around INR 15,00,000 to INR 20,00,000.

Chemotherapy

There are various types of chemotherapy.

• Oral chemotherapy cost- The starting cost is INR 56,000 per session.
• Intravenous chemotherapy cost- Starting from INR 18,000 per session.

Best Health Insurance Plans for Oral Cancer

Factors Affecting the Cost of Oral Cancer in India

The cost of oral cancer treatment in India can vary depending on several factors.

• Stage and the type of cancer- The treatment for advanced stages or more complex cases might cost more.
• Hospital and city- Metropolitan cities might have higher costs of treating oral cancer.
• Treatment plan- The specific types of treatment used will impact the overall cost.
• Surgeon or doctor- A specialist or highly experienced doctor might charge more.

Conclusion

While the cost of oral cancer treatment in India can be substantial, early detection and timely treatment can save your life. It has been seen that patients can live for years after the diagnosis of the disease. You need to consult with a qualified oncologist to navigate the treatment options and potential finances. Most importantly, you need to explore the health insurance plans for cancer care that significantly aid your financial management and provide better quality medical assistance of every kind.

Cost of Oral Cancer Treatment in India: FAQ's

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