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:
Squamous cell carcinoma
The most common type of oral cancer. It starts in the squamous cells that line the inside of your mouth and throat.Minor Salivary Gland Carcinoma
It starts in the small salivary glands located throughout the mouth and throat lining.Verrucous Carcinoma
It is a rare type of oral cancer that usually grows slowly and has a good prognosis when diagnosed early.Mucosal Melanoma
This is a type of skin cancer that can also occur in the mouth. It starts in the melanocytes, which produce pigment in your skin and mouth.Lymphoma
This type of cancer starts in the lymphatic system, a part of your immune system. It can occur in the lymph nodes in your neck or mouth.Sarcoma
Another type of rare cancer that starts in the connective tissues of your mouth, such as bones, muscles, and nerves.
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:
Surgery
The most common treatment for oral cancer is surgery. The type of surgery depends on the location and size of the tumour. In some cases, surgery may involve removing the tumour, surrounding tissues, or even lymph nodes in the neck or mouth.Radiation Therapy
In radiation therapy, some high-energy rays are used to kill cancer cells. It is delivered externally through specialized machines, or internally through radioactive implants placed near the tumour, depending upon the situation.Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a famous treatment for cancer. It uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. It is often used in conjunction with surgery or radiation therapy.Targeted Therapy
These drugs target specific vulnerabilities in the cancer cells, helping to stop their growth or spread.
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
New India Group Cancer Mediclaim
The plan is specifically designed for lower and middle-class families undergoing Cancer Treatment.
Unique Features
- Up to 2 Lakh SI
- Avail Cumulative Bonus
- Cover dependent children
This plan is designed to aid financially in treating cancer. The policy offers cover for conventional and advanced cancer treatments.
Unique Features
- SI up to 50 Lakh
- Avail cancer care benefit
- 58 Day care procedures covered
Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance
A specific cancer insurance policy that protects the policyholder against the expenses incurred during the treatment of this dreadful disease.
Unique Features
- SI available up to 10L
- Diagnostic investigation covered
- No exit age feature
Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance (Pros)
- 1 to 70 years entry age
- High SI
- All stages of cancer covered
- No-claim Bonus
- 30 Days Grace Period
Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance (Cons)
- Obesity
- Cosmetic Surgery
- Injury Due To Illegal Activity
- Injury Due To Hazardous Activities
- Adventure Sport Injuries
Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance (Other Benefits)
- Policy Portability Available
- Affordable Premiums
- Migration Facility Available
- Medical Expenses Cover
- Lump Sum Amount Paid
Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance (Eligibility Criteria)
- Entry Age - 1 Day
- Max Entry Age -70 Years
- SI - 1 L to 10 L
- Waiting Period - 30 Days
Covers all types of cancer at all stages with lifelong renewability option. If diagnosed with IV stage cancer or relapse, this plan pays 100% of SI as a lump sum.
Unique Features
- Coverage for modern treatments
- Second opinions available
- Coverage for follow-up care
- Ambulance Cover
- Follow up care post treatment
- Conventional Treatments
- Hormonal Treatment
- Stem Cell Transplantation
- No Non Allopathic treatments
- No Prosthetic Devices
- No Overseas Treatments
- Pre-existing condition for Cancer
HDFC iCan Cancer (Other Benefits)
- Sum Insured Enhancement
- CritiCare Benefit
- Family Care Benefit
- Lifetime Renewal
- MyCare Benefit
HDFC iCan Cancer (Eligibility Criteria)
- Entry Age - 18 Years
- Max Entry Age - 65 Years
- SI - 5 L to 50 L
- Waiting Period - 120 Days
Offers lifelong coverage against cancer and the cost of its treatment with several other benefits.
Unique Benefits
- Annual Health Checkup
- Chemo and radiotherapy cover
- Air Ambulance Cover
Care Cancer Mediclaim (Pros)
- Chemo & Radio Therapy
- Organ Donor Cover
- Annual Health Check-up
- Covers all major cancer
- Lifelong Renewability
Care Cancer Mediclaim (Cons)
- Change of Gender Treatments
- Obesity Treatment Unavailable
- Hazardous Activity Not Covered
- HIV/AIDS not covered
- Cosmetic Surgery unavailable
Care Cancer Mediclaim (Other Benefits)
- International Second Opinion
- Doctor On Call
- Air Ambulance Cover
- Quick Recovery Counseling
- OPD Cover
Care Cancer Mediclaim (Eligibility Criteria)
- Entry Age - 5 Years
- Max Entry Age - 50 Years
- SI - 10 L to 2 Cr
- Waiting Period - 30 Days
Designed to cover medical expenses incurred for the cancer treatment at all stages. The plan pays a lump sum amount to meet the cost of surgery, chemo, etc.
Unique Features
- Up to 150% of cancer care cover*
- No claim bonus
- Age Limit: 18 - 65 years
A unique one-year cancer care plan with multiple features such as rehabilitation and pain management, hospice care, modern treatments, and more.
Unique Features
- High Sum Insured
- Second Medical Opinion
- Wellness Services
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.