Cervical Cancer Treatment Cost in India

Types of Cervical Cancer Treatment in India

Types of treatments for cervical cancer

Chemotherapy

The drugs that kill cancer cells anywhere in the body are either taken orally or injection to the veins. It may be used alone or with other treatment options like radiation therapy. It can also be used to avoid recurrent cervical cancer. Some of the drugs are:

• Cisplatin/ cisplatin plus-5.
• Carboplatin
• Paclitaxel (Taxol)
• Topotecan

Radiation Therapy

The high energy x-rays used to kill cancerous cell is often given with two ways:

External Beam Radiation Therapy: The procedure is very much like the x-ray examination but the dose of the x-rays is quite stronger. It is often used with chemotherapy. 

Internal Beam Radiation Therapy (BRACHYTHERAPY): a radioactive material is placed in the cavity to kill cancer cells which is referred as intracavitary brachytherapy. It may be given as low dose for some days in the indoor department or can be given in high dose for months in an outpatient department in hospitals.

Immunotherapy

The drugs to enhance the body’s natural defense system against cancer cells are used in this treatment. It can be taken as oral medications and intravenous injections. Some of the drugs are:

• Pembrolizumab
• Cemiplimab

Targeted Drug Therapy

These drugs may be given to block the nutrients to cancer cells and attack their environment in which they grow. They may be used to inhibit angiogenesis in cancer cells or attack as antibody drug conjugate (ADC). These drugs are:

• Tisotumab vedotin-tftv
• Bevacizumab
• Dostarlimab-gxly

Surgery

Some surgical procedures are used according to the patients’ health.

Cryosurgery: the cancer cells go through a procedure in which they freeze to death by placing the probe directly to the tumor.

Laser ablation: the beam of laser applied to the tumor to burn the cancer cells directly.

Conization: doctor removes the piece of cervix in a cone shaped to separate the tumor from the healthy normal cells.

Hysterectomy: the removal of the uterus either without its surrounding structures and lymph nodes or along with surrounding structures.

Trachelectomy: this procedure removes the part of vagina and cervix but spare the uterus for reproductive purposes.

Diagnosis & Cost of Cervical Cancer Treatment in India

Diagnosis for cervical cancer

Sterile Speculum Examination

The gynecologists usually examine the vulva, vagina and by speculum the internal structures like cervix and uterus to see any changes in these structures. Any abnormality is then noticed and reported.

Pap Test

Doctors take the samples from the cervix and then test for any abnormal cancer cells in the sample. This is done in clinical settings and laboratory centers.

Human Papillomavirus Testing

This is similar to a pap test and sample sent to the laboratory. There they examine for any infection or antigen of the HPV.

Colposcopy

The colposcope is a device used to magnify the cells of the cervix and vagina, just like a microscope. It gives a clear picture and magnifying view of the tissues of the vagina and the cervix to the doctor examining.

Biopsy

It is the removal of a portion of tissue for examination under a microscope. Other tests can give the idea that cancer may exist, but biopsy can make an obvious diagnosis.

X-ray

An intravenous urography is an x-ray that is used to view the inside of the cervix and vagina. It gives the picture of appearance of the structure and hence gives the idea if any abnormal mass is present.

MRI

An MRI uses magnetic fields to produce clear images of the body. MRI can be used to measure the size of the tumor. A special dye like contrast medium is used before the scan to clearly find the results.

Cost of Cervical Cancer Treatment in India

The cost of cervical cancer treatment in India ranges from ₹ 2,10,000 to ₹ 280,000. The cost can vary according to the complexity of each patient's disease and the requirement of combination treatment to treat aggressive types of cancers. some of the treatments and their costs are mentioned below:

Cervical Cancer Treatment Cost in Different Cities of India 

Symptoms & Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer Treatment

Symptoms Associated with Cervical Cancer

• Bleeding other than menstruation.
• Bleeding after sexual activity
• Long time bleeding during menstruation
• Vaginal secretions
• Foul smell
• Groin and back pain
• Pain during sex
• Bleeding after menopause

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Mostly it happens in sexually active people and often go away easily. But in some cases, it develops the chances of cervical and prostate cancer. From all the types, HPV16 and HPV18 are the risks to cervical cancer. HPV vaccines can help prevent the virus.

Compromised Immunity

The patients taking drugs like steroids and immune therapy for other cancer treatments have less immunity than normal. It may be due to viral infection HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Herpes

The sexually transmitted viral infections are all the major risk factors for cervical cancer and Herpes virus also causes cervical cancer in the majority of the population.

Oral contraceptives

Oral contraceptives are the drugs to control birth. It is associated with high prevalence of cervical cancer in women. It may be due to the hormonal imbalance it may cause or poor regimen of the pills but more research is required to confirm this association.

Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

This drug is usually given to the patients with high risk of miscarriage. The drugs are causing high risk to develop cervical and vaginal cancer in the later stages of life.

Socioeconomic factors

Low- and moderate-income countries are more prone to develop the cancer due to the inability of screening and healthy sexual activities. High income countries have less prevalence of cervical cancer due to regular screening procedures in their access.

Age

The younger people less than 20 years of age are less likely to develop cervical cancer. It is more prevalent in women aged 40-50 years. Usually after 40 years menopause occurs and chances of developing cervical cancer increases. 

Smoking and alcohol consumption

Smoking doubles the chances of cervical cancer. So, smokers are more likely to develop cervical cancer than non-smokers. Also, alcohol consumption, usually 3-4 drinks per day, causes a high risk of cervical cancer in women.

Unsafe sexual intercourse

People who don’t use condoms and other barrier methods during sex are more likely to catch sexually transmitted diseases. However, the HPV can develop and ultimately can cause cervical cancer.