Oncology Treatment in India

Types and Procedure of Oncology Treatment in India

Common types of cancers in oncology

Some common types of cancers that are treated in oncology department are as follow:

Breast Cancer: breast cancer is most common in women but can also be present in men.

Lung Cancer: The cancer of lungs is most common in smokers but also has other risk factors.

Prostate Cancer: The cancer that affects the prostate gland in men is the common type of cancer among men.

Skin Cancer: Cancer occurs in skin due to dangerous chemicals in contact or by the harmful radiations.

Ovarian Cancer: The cancer affects the ovaries in women which are reproductive organs.

Pancreatic Cancer: Originating in the pancreas, this cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment difficult.

Liver Cancer: This cancer affects the liver cells and is common in those who consume alcohol in large amounts.

Kidney Cancer: Kidney cells began to grow out of control in kidney cancer and cause symptoms.

Cervical Cancer: The cancer that affects the cervix in women is cervical cancer and most common in old age women.

Brain Tumors: These cancers can occur in the brain or spinal cord.

Note: Cancer can be found in almost every part or any organ in the body. And the oncologists treat cancers and tumors according to the stage of cancer.

Types of Treatments in Oncology

Some of the treatments used in oncology are as follow:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Targeted Therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Stem Cell Transplant
• Precision Medicine
• Palliative Care
• Clinical Trials

Surgery : Surgery is the treatment to remove the tumors from the organs. This treatment is usually used when the cancer is in its first stage. The solid tumors in breast, lung and prostate can be removed from surgery.

Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy uses medications and drugs that kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments for aggressive treatments.

Radiation Therapy : This treatment uses high-energy rays or particles to kill the cancer cells. The radiation can be given by the source outside like a machine or the radioactive material can also be placed inside the tumor for treatment.

Targeted Therapy : The targeted drug therapy usually destroys the nutrition for cancer cells that leads to damage of cancer cells itself. Target drug therapy is the latest technique in oncology.

Immunotherapy : Immunotherapy treatment uses the body's natural defense mechanism in the body to kill the cancer cells. It can be used to treat lung cancer and cervical cancer.

Hormone Therapy : This is used for cancers that are triggered by hormones, like breast and prostate cancer. The hormone therapy blocks the pathways of hormones and kills the cancer cells.

Stem Cell Transplant : In certain types of blood cancers, stem cell transplant treatment is used where damaged bone marrow that produces cancer cells is replaced with healthy bone marrow.

Palliative Care : Palliative care treatment is used when cancer cannot be cured and is in the last stage. It focuses on improving the quality of life for people with advanced cancer. It helps to manage the symptoms and provides emotional support to deal with disease.

Clinical Trials : Clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments or combinations. They offer the latest treatment options for patients and help to treat advanced cancer.

Cost and Diagnosis of Oncology Treatment in India

Some of the diagnostic techniques that are used in oncology are as follow:

Imaging Tests : These are like special pictures of the inside of your body. X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans help doctors to find out any unusual growths or tumors.

Biopsy : Biopsy is the confirmed method to diagnose the presence of cancer. In biopsy, a small tissue sample is taken from the body and is tested under laboratory conditions for cancer cell detection.

Blood Tests : Cancer cells are abnormal cells and release abnormal amounts of substances in the blood. Blood tests are helpful in finding those substances due to the presence of cancer.

Endoscopy : A tiny camera or endoscope is used to detect any abnormal growth inside the body. Endoscopy is usually used for stomach cancers.

Ultrasound : This technique uses sound waves to create images of the organs. It is used most commonly for breast cancers or stomach cancers.

Genetic Testing : Some cancers are linked to certain genetic changes. Genetic tests are performed to find out these genes that are the risks for developing cancer.

Molecular Testing : In this technique, tissue cells and molecules are tested to find out the nature of disease. This helps in making the best treatment for a patient.

Bone Marrow Aspiration : If blood cancers are suspected, a small amount of bone marrow is taken from the hip bone to check for abnormal cells.

Lymph Node Biopsy : If cancer is suspected to have spread to the lymph nodes, a small piece of the node is removed for examination.

Staging of Cancers

The staging of cancer is very important for the treatment plan and diagnosis of the disease. Oncologists plant the treatment of a patient according to the stage of cancer. The staging of cancer also describes the progression of disease.

Stage 0: This is the earliest stage of cancer. In this stage, the cancer cells are only present at one layer of cells in the affected organ. The cancer in this stage is easiest to treat.

Stage I: The cancer is still small. In this stage, the cancer cells are present only inside the organ and have not spread to the surroundings.

Stage II: The cancer in this stage has spread to nearby tissues and organs and usually require aggressive treatment to cure the disease.

Stage III: The cancer in this stage is more complex and has spread to the lymph nodes.

Stage IV: This is the most advanced stage of cancer. In this stage, the cancer spreads to the distant organs through the lymph nodes and may be unable to be treated. In this stage, oncologists go for palliative treatment.

Psychological Impact of Cancer

Cancer can be the reason for mental and psychological distress in patients and their families. Some of the reactions of patient in diagnosis of cancer are:

• Shock and Denial
• Anxiety and Fear
• Depression
• Stress
• Body Image and Self-Esteem Issues
• Grief and Loss
• Isolation and Loneliness
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Uncertainty about the Future
• Financial Concerns
• Fear of Recurrence
• Changes in Identity
• Guilt
• Anger
• Communication Difficulties
• Changes in Social Interactions
• Fear of Death
• Impact on Career and Work
• Fear of Being a Burden

Palliative Care and Quality of Life for Cancer Patients

Palliative care is a type of treatment that focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious diseases like cancer. It deals with managing symptoms, providing comfort, and offering support to both the patient and their family.

Symptom Management : In this treatment, oncologists work to control pain, vomiting, fatigue, and other physical symptoms that can be caused by cancer and its treatments.

Emotional Support : Diseases like cancer can be emotionally challenging. Palliative care teams provide counseling and support to help patients and families to deal with stress and depression.

Communication : Palliative care experts discuss the disease and treatments with the patient and family with all the side effects and financial issues.

Personalized Care : The healthcare team always works in collaboration to plan a treatment for an individual treatment plan for a patient. In this way, the specific condition of a patient can be easily managed.

Improving Daily Life : Palliative care helps patients to engage in activities of daily living and allows them to feel independent.

Family Support : Palliative care also provides guidance for families so that they can deal with patients more effectively.

Coordinated Care : The healthcare team in which oncologists, physicians, radiologists and physical therapists work together to provide care for patients. In this way, no important detail about the patient can be neglected.

Cost of Oncology Treatment in India

The Cost of Oncology Treatment in India ranges from ₹ 2,00,000 to ₹ 9,99,000 The cost can vary according to the type of cancer and organ involved. The cost can also vary according to the stage of cancer and the patient's condition at the time of diagnosis. Some of the treatments and their cost are as follows:

City Wise Oncology Treatment Cost in India

Symptoms & Risk Factors of Oncology Treatment in India

Symptoms of cancer are usually according to the type of cancer. For example, lung cancer has the symptoms related to breathing difficulties and symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain can be related to stomach cancer. Some of the symptoms related to cancer that are treated by oncologists are as follow:

• Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Loss of Appetite
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of Breath
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Nerve damage
• Swelling (Edema)
• Mouth Sores
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Skin Changes
• Hair Loss
• Hot Flashes
• Cognitive Changes 
• Bleeding and Bruising
• Anemia
• Infection
• Swelling due to lymph node removal
• Bone Pain
• Muscle Weakness
• Dry Mouth
• Changes in Taste or Smell
• Weight Changes
• Swelling in hands and feet
• Emotional Distress
• Fever
• Cough
• Chest Pain
• Joint Pain
• Memory Problems
• Vision Changes
• Difficulty Urinating
• Sexual Dysfunction
• Weakness
• Palpitations
• Coughing Up Blood
• Bowel Changes
• Joint Swelling
• Abdominal Pain
• Fluid Buildup
• Skin Irritation
• Increased Heart Rate
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Muscle Cramps
• Swollen Lymph Nodes

Causes and Risk Factors of Cancer Development

Some of the causes of cancer development are as follow:

Genetic Factors : Some genes that run in the family can be the major risk factor of developing cancer in the body. The positive family history of cancer can be the cause of genetic factors in families.

Environmental Factors : Tobacco smoke, air pollution and certain chemicals are the cancer producing factors in the environment so they are the major risk factor for lung cancer and skin cancer.

Lifestyle Choices : Unhealthy lifestyle like smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and obesity can increase the risk of many cancers. For example, alcohol is the major risk factor of liver cancer.

Age : The risk of cancer increases with age. Cells become weak in old age and may damage easily that can be the risk factor of cancer.

Radiation Exposure : High radiations like long exposure to x-rays and ultraviolet rays from the sun can be the risk factor of skin cancer.

Viral Infections : Some viruses like human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency virus can increase the risk of developing different cancers.

Hormones : Some medications which include hormone therapy can increase the risk of cancer in the body.

Chronic Inflammation : Some diseases that include swelling for a long time can increase the risk of cancer.