Lung Cancer Treatment in India
Lung cancer ranks as the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and holds the position of being the 2nd most prevalent cancer among women. The prevalence of lung cancer accounts for 8.1% of all cancer-related deaths. Lung cancer mostly affects people who smoke, especially if they have smoked for a long time. Here we will know about lung cancer treatment.
Lungs are the organs in our body located on either side of the heart, keeping our body healthy by giving us the oxygen needed to function properly.
Lung cancer originates when cells within the lungs multiply wildly, resulting in tumors. These abnormal cells disrupt normal lung function, negatively impacting oxygen supply and respiration, which leads to health issues and low oxygen levels.
Lung cancer is an extremely serious illness that damages the lungs and can be caused by several factors, the primary cause of which is smoking. Tobacco use and pollution, both contribute to the rise in cases of Lung cancer.
Non-smokers, on the other hand, are at risk for lung cancer as a result of other factors such as indirect smoke exposure, polluted air, or a family history of cancer.
Types of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a complicated disease with many subtypes requiring specialized evaluation and treatment approaches.
Different types of lung cancer are:
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): NSCLC is responsible for 80-85% of the cases of lung cancer and is further divided into many different subgroups. Among the most widespread are:
- Adenocarcinoma: This type of lung cancer often begins in the lungs’ outermost areas and is more common in individuals who don’t smoke or regularly smoke. It happens because of certain changes in the genes.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of lung cancer that develops in the middle bronchi and is commonly linked to a history of smoking. A biopsy is carried out to diagnose it.
- Large Cell Carcinoma: This is a very rare type of lung cancer that may appear up anywhere in the lung. It is less common than other kinds, yet it expands and grows quickly.
- Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): SCLC is an uncommon lung cancer responsible for around 10 to 15% of all cases. SCLC tumor cells grow very quickly, and it is linked to smoking. It spreads fast to other places of the body, making it difficult to treat.
- Other types of lung cancer: There are also other uncommon kinds of lung cancer in addition to the more common ones. A carcinoid tumor is one such example; it has a slow growth rate and develops from special lung cells. Pleural mesothelioma, which damages the inner layer of the lungs but is not truly an example of lung cancer, is another uncommon type. Additionally, a few kinds of lung sarcomas and lymphomas originate in different parts of the lungs. These require specialized treatment and doctors with experience in these rare cancer types to handle them effectively.
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
It’s important for people with past experiences of smoking or contact with cancer-causing factors, to be cautious because early-stage lung cancer often displays fairly low signs.
Understanding lung cancer’s late signs is essential as they can indicate an advanced stage of the cancer.
Early Signs of Lung Cancer:
- long-lasting cough that worsens over time
- Unexplained weight loss
- Change in voice(Hoarseness)
- Swelling in the face or neck
- Fatigue and weakness
- Pain in the chest while breathing or coughing
- Common respiratory infections, like pneumonia or bronchitis.
Late Signs of Lung Cancer:
- Difficulty in swallowing food
- Advanced chest pain
- Hoarseness in voice
- Worsening of breath shortness
- Blood coughing (hemoptysis)
- Respiratory infections that do not go away.
Diagnosis of Lung Cancer in India
- Imaging Tests: The following are some of the most common imaging tests used to diagnose lung cancer:
- Chest X-ray: A basic image of the lungs that can be used to look for suspicious spots or tumors.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: It provides complete cross-sectional photographs of the chest, helping in the detection of tiny cancers.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This method is sometimes used to get more detailed images of lung cancers
- Sputum Cytology: If you have a cough that doesn’t go away and spit out phlegm (mucus), doctors may take a small sample and examine it under a microscope. This allows them to determine whether cancer cells are present in the mucus.
- Biopsy: A biopsy is an important step in confirming lung cancer. It involves taking out a tiny tissue sample from the lung for analysis under a microscope. A biopsy can be performed in several ways:
- Bronchoscopy
- Needle Biopsy
- Thoracentesis
- Staging: If lung cancer is diagnosed, additional tests may be conducted to determine the cancer’s stage and whether or not it has spread to different parts of the body.
- Additional Tests: Some of the other tests are done to determine the stages of lung cancer such as:
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: Helps in the detection of cancer cells that might have spread to other regions within the body.
- Bone Scan: Detects cancer that has spread to the bones.
- Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) or Mediastinoscopy: These procedures are used to biopsy the chest’s lymph nodes to determine whether or not the cancer has spread.
Treatment Options for Lung Cancer in India
The type and stage of the patient’s lung cancer, along with their physical health, all impact their treatment options.
Types of treatment available are:
- Surgery: When lung cancer is detected early, doctors may perform surgery to remove the tumor. It’s like removing the unhealthy part to improve the health of the lungs.
- Radiation Therapy: Powerful rays are used to destroy cancer cells to reduce tumor size before surgery, eliminate remaining cells after surgery, or treat symptoms if cancer spreads.
- Chemotherapy: It’s like using certain medications to fight cancerous cells. These medications can either slow or stop the growth of cancer. They are sometimes used alone or in combination with surgery or radiation to ensure that the cancer has been removed.
- Targeted Therapy: The treatment uses specialized tools to target harmful cancer cells while avoiding healthy cells.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy helps the immune system in recognizing and attacking cancer cells. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been proven to be effective in the treatment of some advanced lung cancers.
- Combination Therapy: In certain cases, doctors combine various treatments to give patients the best chance of overcoming cancer. Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy may be used simultaneously or consecutively.
Risks factors in Lung Cancer
Common risks and complications in lung cancer treatment are:
- Infections
- Lung cancer risk increases with daily and lifetime smoking
- Fluid accumulating in the chest
- Bleeding
- Breathing difficulties
- Change in skin color
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and nausea
- Hair thinning and loss
- Low red blood cell count
- gastrointestinal issues
- Negative effects on the immune system
- The side effects of combo therapy
- Blood clots
- Heart and respiratory problems
Best Lung Cancer Treatment Hospitals in India
India is a top place for medical tourism if you need lung cancer treatment. The best hospitals here have modern facilities and experts in this field. They do advanced surgeries at prices that are much lower than in other countries. These hospitals take a complete approach, checking you carefully before surgery, doing surgeries with small cuts, and helping you recover after. They are certified as safe and good by important organizations.
Al Afiya Medi Tour is here to help you with everything. We make it easy for people from other countries to come here for treatment. We will get you appointments and help you through the whole process. With us, you can have treatment in the best lung cancer hospital in India, knowing that we will take care of you well. We want to make sure you get great treatment and feel supported all the way.
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital – Mumbai
- Global Hospital – Chennai
- Fortis Escorts Hospital – New Delhi
- MGM Healthcare – Chennai
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital – New Delhi
- Fortis Hospital – Gurgaon
- Artemis Hospital – Gurgaon
- Marengo Asia Hospital – Gurugram
Top Lung Cancer Treatment Doctors in India
Looking for the top lung cancer doctors in India can be challenging. We’ve made it simpler with a list of top specialists from respected medical institutions. These experts are known for their skills, experience, and patient outcomes. Our selection assures exceptional care from industry leaders. Al Afiya Medi Tour helps international patients easily book appointments. Access top lung cancer doctors in India with our support. Trust a smooth medical journey with quality care from Al Afiya.
- Hari Goyal-Artemis Hospital
- Suman Karanth Gupta-Medanta The Medicity
- Sandeep Batra-Max Super Specialty Hospital Saket
- Praveen Kumar Garg-Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
- Devavrat Arya-Max Super Specialty Hospital Saket
- Ankur Bahl-Max Super Specialty Hospital Saket
- Kumud Kumar Dhital-Marengo Asia Hospital
- Niranjan Naik-Fortis Memorial Research Institute
- Sameer Kaul-Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals
- Deepak Jha- Artemis Hospital
Lung Cancer Treatment Cost in India
For lung cancer treatment in India, the typical package ranges from 18000 USD to 20000 USD. This comprehensive package covers a range of services including thorough pre-treatment assessments, fitness evaluations for the patient, advanced investigations, the surgical procedure itself, and hospital accommodations for both the patient and their support system. Nevertheless, the treatment expenses in India can differ depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and various other factors.
| Treatment Type | Cost Range (USD) | Cost Range (INR) |
| PET Scan | USD 300 – USD 350 | INR 23,000 – INR 26,000 |
| Lung Cancer Surgery | USD 3,500 – USD 7,000 | INR 263,000– INR 526,000 |
| Chemotherapy (One Cycle) | USD 500 – USD 1,000 | INR 38,000– INR 75,000 |
| Radiation Therapy | USD 3,500 – USD 5,500 | INR 263,000– INR 413,000 |
| Radiosurgery | USD 5,000 – USD 10,000 | INR 376,000– INR 752,000 |
City-wise Lung Cancer Treatment Cost in India
- New Delhi – USD 1,200 – USD 30,500
- Hyderabad – USD 1,200 – USD 27,800
- Kolkata – USD 1,300 – USD 30,800
- Gurgaon – USD 1,200 – USD 30,500
- Bengaluru – USD 1,300 – USD 32,600
- Pune – USD 1,200 – USD 30,500
- Kochi – USD 1,200 – USD 30,500
- Chennai – USD 1,200 – USD 28,300
- Mumbai – USD 1,200 – USD 32,900
Lung Cancer Treatment Success Rate in India
The effectiveness of lung cancer treatment is influenced by various factors, such as the cancer’s stage, type, and overall health condition. The prognosis is shaped by your doctor’s assessment of your potential for survival over a few years post-diagnosis. Currently, the success rate of lung cancer treatment stands at approximately 98%, but this can fluctuate based on individual circumstances and advancements in medical approaches.
