Why is India an Ideal Place for the Stomach Cancer Treatment?

Cancer is one of the threatening diseases that affect a number of lives, not only physically but financially and mentally. India has gained a reputation as the best medical destination for high-quality medical care at a lower cost compared to many Western countries.

India has well-established nationally and internationally accredited hospitals with high-standard advanced cancer treatment facilities.

In this blog, we will learn about the factors influencing stomach cancer treatment costs in India, what patients can expect, and why India is increasingly becoming a preferred choice for medical tourism.

What is Stomach Cancer?

Before going to the cost part, one should understand what stomach cancer is. Cancer is basically the uncontrollable division of cells, later forming clustered cells that may spread to other body parts. Therefore, stomach cancer arises when there is uncontrollable growth of the cells of the stomach lining. It affects the whole stomach area and gastrointestinal junctions and may spread to other body parts.

The common known causes of stomach cancer are smoking and tobacco consumption, obesity, excessive alcohol intake, spicy and oily foods, Type A blood, H-Pylori infection, and exposure to asbestos.

Based on the types of cells where the cancer began in the stomach. It is divided into many types. These types are:

• Adenocarcinoma: It is a type of cancer that starts in the cells that produce mucus. It is the most common type of stomach cancer. 90%-95% are adenocarcinoma type.
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): Gastrointestinal stromal is a special nerve cell that is found in the stomach and other digestive organs. Uncontrollable growth of cells leads to GIST.
• Carcinoid tumors: This type of cancer starts in the neuroendocrine cells.
• Lymphoma: If the body sends immune system cells to the stomach, lymphoma may occasionally begin there. This could occur if the body attempts to fight off an illness. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are the most common type of lymphomas with gastrointestinal origins.

What are the Symptoms of Stomach Cancer?

• Indigestion
• Bloating of the stomach
• Difficulty in swelling
• Unexplained Weight loss
• Pain in Stomach
• Nausea and Vomiting

What are the Stages of Stomach Cancer? 

Diagnosis of stomach cancer can be done through many ways: Ultrasound, GI upper endoscopy, CT scan, Biopsy, etc.

The treatment plan for the stomach cancer is divided based on the staging provided by a PET CT Scan of the whole body.

• Stage 0- This is the pre-cancer stage that indicates that cancer has not yet developed. In this situation, the surgeon of stomach cancer will recommend removing a portion of your stomach to stop the spread.
• Stage 1- In this stage, the cancer is in the lining or near the lymph nodes. The best option is to remove a portion or maybe the whole stomach lining along with the lymph nodes.
• Stage 2- The cancer spreads in the entire stomach and the lymph nodes; the best way to treat it is to have the surgeon remove the entire stomach lining, followed by chemotherapy.
• Stage 3- This is the advanced stage where cancer is spread to nearby organs like the spleen, etc. The treatment plan here combines surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

What are the Average Costs of the Stomach Cancer Treatment in India?

Before heading towards the cost, patients should understand what factors influence the stomach cancer treatment cost in India.

A few of the factors that decide the treatment cost of stomach cancer are:

• Type and Stage of Cancer: The stage and type of stomach cancer play a significant role in deciding treatment costs. Early-stage cancers may require less extensive treatment, while advanced-stage cancers may require a combination of therapies like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies.
• Choice of Hospital: The choice of hospital and location can impact treatment costs. Major metropolitan areas like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai may have higher treatment costs than smaller cities. Renowned cancer centers often charge more for their expertise and advanced facilities.
• Type of Treatment: The specific treatments recommended for stomach cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies, vary in cost. The number of sessions or cycles required also affects the overall cost.
• Medications cost: The cost of chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapies, and supportive medicines can vary. 
• Specialist's Fees: The fees of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and other staff that are involved in the treatment process can contribute to the overall cost.
• Other Services: Depending on the patient's needs, other services such as diagnostic tests, hospital stays, and post-treatment follow-ups can add to the cost.

Depending upon the above factors, the cost of stomach cancer treatment in India may range from INR 2,00,000 to INR 5,00,000.

However, this cost depends on which type of treatment is required for stomach cancer, the cycles required for chemotherapy, the type of surgery done, etc.

What are the Facilities that Makes India Best Destination for Stomach Cancer Treatment:

As cancer cases rise, India is developing its healthcare system to fight against this threatening disease.

The international patient is attracted to the treatment in India because of its standard quality of medical services at a fraction of cost compared to the other countries.

Some of the reasons India is well chosen for the treatment are:

• Affordable Healthcare Services: India is known for providing high-quality medical services at a lower cost than other Western countries. This affordability extends to cancer treatment.
• Competitive Medical Tourism Industry: India has a well-established medical tourism industry that promotes competitive pricing and high standards of care. Hospitals often offer package deals that include treatment, accommodation, and transportation.
• Skilled Medical Professionals: India boasts a pool of highly qualified and experienced medical professionals, including oncologists and surgeons, who offer world-class care.
• Government Initiatives: Government initiatives and collaborations with private healthcare providers have further reduced the cost of cancer treatment.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Many hospitals in India have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, ensuring patients receive the latest and most effective treatments.

What are the Best Hospitals Available in India for Stomach Cancer Treatment?

Here are the few hospitals that are best known for Stomach Cancer Treatment:

Pace Hospital, Hyderabad:

• Pace Hospital is a renowned super specialty hospital in India, accredited by NABH, NABL, and JCI.
• This hospital is best known for its excellence of Gastroenterology, Urology, and Nephrology services. 
• The hospital has an advanced oncology team trained to treat different stages of stomach cancer through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
• It has advanced equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of stomach cancer.

Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon

• Fortis Memorial Research Institute is one the best-known multispeciality hospitals in India.
• It is accredited by NABH and has ranked second in a global study of the 30 most advanced technology hospitals in the world.
• The hospital has the best Oncology team and is equipped with advanced technologies for treating and diagnosing stomach cancer.
• It is known as the “Mecca of Healthcare” for the Asia Pacific region.

Gleneagles Global Hospital, Chennai

• Gleneagles Global Hospital is best known for providing the best cancer treatment in India.
• NABH and NABL accredited it for its quality of services.
• The radiation department has advanced radiation therapy equipment like stereotactic body radiotherapy for cranial and extracranial sites, 3D conformal radiotherapy, IGRT, etc.
• The hospital has the best surgical oncologist trained from reputed institutes, known for its 100% success rate for performing cancer surgeries.

 Fortis Malar Hospital, Chennai

• Fortis Malar Hospital is a well-established multispecialty hospital in India.
• It has a well-equipped oncology department and advanced technology for treating various types of cancers.
• The oncologist team is well-trained, highly experienced, and internationally recognized for treating various types of cancer, including stomach cancer.
• Many specialists won several prestigious awards, including the IMA Doctors Day award for their outstanding service in the field of medical oncology.

Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai

• Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital is a renowned and reputed multispeciality hospital in India.
• The hospital has a distinct care unit, which includes multiple cancer care programs such as medical oncology programs, radiation oncology programs, surgical oncology programs, robotic surgery programs, etc.
• It has advanced infrastructure for treating various types of cancer, like the radiation department equipped with IMRT, IGRT, digital mammography, and many more.
• The hospital focuses on treatment and nutritional services like rehabilitation, physiotherapy, counseling, palliative care, etc.

Stomach cancer treatment costs in India are often significantly lower than in many developed countries, which makes it an attractive option for patients needing quality care without a hefty financial burden. However, patients must research and select a recognized hospital or cancer center that can offer personalized therapies along with transparent pricing. India has established itself as a location where patients can receive thorough stomach cancer treatment without sacrificing quality by combining affordability with expertise.