Cancer Treatment & Surgery in India

Cancer commences when genetic alterations disrupt the well-regulated cellular biological processes, causing cells to multiply uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can cluster together, forming a lump known as a tumor. Tumors can be categorized as either cancerous (malignant), capable of uncontrolled growth and spreading to other body parts, or benign, signifying that they can grow but remain localized without spreading.

Cancer Surgery involves a surgical intervention to extract such tumors from the body, often necessitating the removal of nearby healthy tissue as well. This time-tested approach to cancer treatment is the oldest form of therapy and continues to be highly effective in addressing numerous cancer types in modern times.

Why is Cancer Surgery needed?

Common reasons for undergoing Cancer Surgery encompass various objectives:

• Cancer Prevention: In certain instances, surgery serves as a preventive measure by removing an organ before cancer has a chance to develop, thereby reducing the risk of cancer.
• Diagnosis: Surgery may be employed to obtain a tissue sample for diagnostic purposes. This sample is examined in a laboratory to determine whether it is cancerous, and additional tests may assess the genetic characteristics of the cells. The results of these tests assist the healthcare team in devising an appropriate treatment plan.
• Staging: Cancer surgery provides essential information regarding the cancer's size and extent of spread. This data aids in determining the cancer's stage, which, in turn, informs healthcare providers about the severity of the condition and the necessity for aggressive treatments.
• Primary Treatment: For many types of cancer, surgery serves as the primary and foremost treatment.
• Debulking: In situations where complete removal of the cancer is not feasible, a surgeon may perform a debulking procedure, removing as much of the cancer as possible.
• Symptom Relief and Side Effects Management: Surgery is also employed to enhance the quality of life by alleviating symptoms or side effects associated with cancer. For instance, it can relieve pain caused by a cancerous growth pressing against a nerve or bone or remove a tumor obstructing the intestine.

Surgery is frequently combined with other cancer treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and various complementary therapies. The selection of treatments depends on factors including the specific cancer type, its stage, and the patient's overall health.

During a preoperative evaluation session, your medical team will assess your suitability for surgery. The specific healthcare professionals you interact with can vary depending on the type of cancer, the surgical procedure, and your overall health.

1. Meeting the Team of Treatment Specialists: This team may include:

• Surgeon or Surgical Team Member
• Anesthetist or Anesthesia Team Member
• Physiotherapist

2. Review of Medical History: The healthcare provider initiates the process by delving into your medical background. They inquire about any prior medical conditions, family history of cancer, tobacco or alcohol use, and other relevant medical details. This inquiry aids in understanding your risk factors.

3. Complete Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination is conducted, encompassing vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and body temperature. The healthcare provider also assesses the patient's general physical condition, including the heart, lungs, abdomen, and other relevant areas.

4. Laboratory Tests: Blood tests, urine tests, and other diagnostic assessments may be ordered to check for underlying medical conditions, assess organ function, and screen for potential issues that might affect surgery.

5. Imaging Studies: Depending on the type of surgery and the patient's condition, imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, PET, MRI scans, or other imaging modalities may be performed to visualize the area of concern and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the surgical site

6. Leg Measurements: You will receive information about whether your surgery will be performed as an inpatient or outpatient, what items to bring to the hospital, and other valuable details. There may also be measurements taken for leg stockings to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

7. Post-operative Referrals: Referrals to support services like dietitians or social workers may be provided priorly if needed.

In cases of minor surgery, a separate preoperative assessment appointment may not be required, and your doctor will discuss the surgery and preparation during your regular appointments.

Anesthesia plays a crucial role in preventing pain during surgery. Anesthesia refers to medications or substances that induce a loss of sensation or consciousness. There are three primary types of Anesthesia:

• Local Anesthesia: This type of anesthesia numbs a specific small area of the body.
• Regional Anesthesia: Regional anesthesia results in the loss of sensation in a particular part of the body, such as an arm or leg.
• General Anesthesia: General anesthesia induces a complete loss of sensation and awareness, resembling a deep and profound sleep.

After the administration of Anesthesia, the surgeon proceeds to excise the Cancer, typically along with a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. The removal of this healthy tissue is performed to enhance the likelihood of complete cancer removal. Following are the various methods of performing Cancer Surgery:

• Conventional Surgery: Surgeons commonly utilize small, fine blades known as scalpels and other sharp instruments to make incisions in your body during surgical procedures. These incisions often involve cutting through the skin, muscles, and occasionally even bone. Following surgery, these incisions can cause discomfort and require some time to heal. In certain cases, the surgeon may also extract nearby lymph nodes or adjacent tissues situated close to the tumor. These extracted tissues undergo microscopic examination to ascertain whether cancer cells have spread to them. This crucial information aids the medical team in formulating an optimal post-surgery treatment strategy tailored to your specific needs.
• Cryosurgery: Cryosurgery employs extreme cold generated by substances like liquid nitrogen or argon gas to eradicate abnormal tissue. It is used to treat conditions like early-stage skin cancer, retinoblastoma, and precancerous growths on the skin and cervix.
• Lasers: This approach uses powerful beams of light to cut through tissue accurately. Lasers are precise and can be employed for specific surgeries or to shrink or eliminate tumors and growths that may have cancer potential. They are frequently used for surface tumors or within internal organs.
• Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia exposes small areas of body tissue to high temperatures, potentially damaging or killing cancer cells or increasing their sensitivity to radiation and certain chemotherapy drugs. Radiofrequency ablation is one form of hyperthermia that employs high-energy radio waves to generate heat.
• Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic therapy utilizes drugs activated by specific types of light. When exposed to this light, these drugs become active and can kill nearby cancer cells. This therapy is primarily used for treating or relieving symptoms associated with skin cancer, mycosis fungoides, and non-small cell lung cancer.

Surgery can encompass various types, differing based on its purpose, the body part involved, the amount of tissue to be removed, and patient preferences. Surgical approaches may be either open or minimally invasive.

• Open surgery typically involves a single large incision for tumor removal, while minimally invasive surgery entails several small cuts. 
• In minimally invasive procedures, a laparoscope with a tiny camera is inserted through one of the small incisions to provide visuals of the procedure on a monitor. Special surgical tools inserted through the other small incisions are used to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. Minimally invasive surgery generally involves a shorter recovery period compared to open surgery.

The potential complications associated with surgery will vary depending on the specific type of procedure you undergo. Generally, most cancer surgeries come with the following risks:

• Pain: Pain is a common side effect of surgery, but its intensity can vary.
• Infection: Your healthcare team will instruct you on post-surgery wound care to prevent infections, which can prolong the recovery process. If an infection does occur, you may be prescribed medication to combat it.
• Loss of Organ Function: In some cases, removing cancer may necessitate the removal of an entire organ, such as a kidney in the case of kidney cancer. After such operations, the remaining organ may function adequately, allowing you to regain your pre-surgery quality of life. However, in other instances, you may encounter post-surgery challenges, such as reduced lung function after a lung removal.
• Fatigue: After surgery, you may experience fatigue and difficulty concentrating. This is a common post-operative experience, but it typically improves over time.
• Bleeding: There is a risk of bleeding associated with all surgical procedures. It's essential to inform your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking, as some can increase the risk of bleeding.
• Blood Clots: Surgery can elevate your risk of developing blood clots, although this risk is generally low. Your healthcare team will take precautions to minimize this risk, including encouraging early mobilization and possibly recommending blood-thinning medications.
• Altered Bowel and Bladder Function: Immediately following surgery, you may experience difficulties with bowel movements or urination. Typically, these issues resolve within a few days, depending on the type of surgery you undergo.

The duration of your hospital stay and the post-operative instructions you receive will vary based on the type of surgery you undergo. Your healthcare team will provide you with precise guidelines for your recovery process. They will discuss wound care, dietary restrictions, activity limitations, and medication instructions. Its essential to fully comprehend the post-surgery dos and don'ts. If you have responsibilities for the care of other family members, such as children or elderly relatives, don't hesitate to seek assistance as needed.

You will likely have scheduled follow-up appointments with your healthcare team to monitor your recovery, discuss pathology results, and plan any additional treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Your healthcare team will establish a surveillance plan to monitor your cancer recurrence risk. Regular follow-up appointments and imaging tests may be part of this plan.

Once you've completed your cancer treatment, your desire to regain good health as a cancer survivor is natural. Furthermore, beyond your initial recuperation, there are methods to enhance your long-term well-being, allowing you to savor the years ahead.

The guidelines for Cancer survivors align with those for individuals seeking improved health overall:

• Engage in regular physical activity
• Follow a well-balanced diet
• Manage a healthy weight
• Prioritize quality sleep
• Minimize stress
• Steer clear of tobacco use
• Restrict alcohol consumption

Its important to note that the success rate of cancer surgery is not a one-size-fits-all statistic. The outlook varies widely depending on the specific details of the case. Patients should have open and detailed discussions with their healthcare team to understand their individual prognosis and treatment options. Additionally, seeking a second opinion can be valuable in making informed decisions about cancer surgery and treatment. However, the progression-free survival rate is better if the tumor is localized and detected early.

The average cost of Cancer treatment in India typically falls in the range of $ 5,03,118 (USD 6,300), with the expenses varying from a minimum of $2,80,000 ($4,000) to $10,50,000 ($15,000). Nevertheless, pinpointing the precise expense of Cancer treatment in India proves challenging due to the variability influenced by factors such as the Cancer's stage and location, as well as the patient's age.

Its important for individuals facing Cancer Surgery to discuss the potential costs with their healthcare providers and insurance representatives. Additionally, seeking information about financial assistance options and support programs can help alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with Cancer treatment. Following are the factors that affect the cost of Cancer Surgery:

1. Pre-operative Costs

• Doctor Consultation
• Lab Tests
• Biopsy
• X-Ray Scan
• PET Scan
• CT Scan
• MRI
• Endoscopy
• FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology)

2. Post-operative Costs

• Medications
• Hospital Stay
• Additional Services
• Accommodation Charges
• Conveyance Charges
• Homecare Services
• Complications Management
• Follow-up Cost

The cost of Cancer Surgery diagnostics in India are:

MedFlick, your trusted healthcare companion, is dedicated to ensuring that your medical journey goes as smoothly and successfully as possible.

• Individualized Guidance: Personalized guidance throughout your medical journey.
• Access to a broad network of prominent hospitals, top doctors, and skilled surgeons.
• Transparent and Competitive Pricing: A full breakdown of treatment costs that eliminates surprises and offers you cost-effective solutions.
• MedFlick provides everything from travel arrangements to hotel and visa help to lodging.
• Multilingual Support: Breaking down language barriers to allow patients and medical professionals to communicate more effectively.
• The road to a successful cancer surgery is long and winding, full of hope, resilience, and the promise of a brighter future. With MedFlick as your guide, navigating this life-changing adventure becomes simple and liberating.