Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Treatment Costs in India: A Comprehensive Guide
| S.No. | Prostate Cancer Treatment | Price in ($) | Price in (₹) |
| 1. | Chemotherapy (per cycle) | USD 300 to 2000 | INR 22,200 to 148,500 |
| 2. | Open Radical Prostatectomy | USD 3500 | INR 260,000 |
| 3. | Robotic Radical Prostatectomy | USD 6500 | INR 482,000 |
| 4. | Brachytherapy (per cycle) | USD 1100 | INR 81,600 |
| 5. | External radiation (per cycle) | USD 3000 | INR 222,000 |
| 6. | Cyberknife | USD 6000 | INR 445,000 |
| 7. | Laser surgery | USD 5000 | INR 371,000 |
| 8. | HIFU | USD 4000 | INR 297,000 |
Understanding Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer stands as the most prevalent cancer type among men. This ailment is recognized for causing urinary discomfort during urination, urinary frequency, weak urine stream, and post-urination dribbling. Men above 50 years face an elevated risk of prostate cancer development. To counter this, comprehending the disease, its impact, and preventive measures becomes paramount.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Approaches
India’s approach to prostate cancer treatment encompasses diverse modalities such as prostatectomy, radiation therapy, cryosurgery, and hormone therapy. Prostatectomy, a surgical procedure, targets complete or partial removal of the prostate gland, promising lasting cure while preserving seual function.
Comprehending Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer originates in the prostate gland, marked by uncontrolled division and growth of the gland’s lining cells, culminating in tumor formation. Its gradual progression often hampers early symptom detection, necessitating vigilance in identifying warning signs.
Classifying Prostate Cancer
Small Cell Carcinoma: This rare type defies early diagnosis, emerging from specialized prostate cells. It commences as a small, solid tumor, without significantly elevating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.
Adenocarcinoma: The most prevalent form, it gradually advances beyond the prostate to distant sites like bones, lymph nodes, or organs. Its slow growth facilitates effective treatment interventions.
Root Causes of Prostate Cancer
The prostate, nestled below the bladder in men, produces seminal fluid. Prostate cancer emerges due to abnormal cell growth in this organ, influenced by genetic and dietary factors.
Recognizing Symptoms
Vital awareness of prostate cancer symptoms aids early intervention. These indicators include blood in semen or urine, frequent urination, weak urine stream, pain/burning during urination or ejaculation. Tools like Urinary Incontinence Aids manage these symptoms, promoting confidence and quality of life.
Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer
A biopsy is a procedure that removes tissue and/or cells for examination to see if cancer cells are present. Biopsies come in two types: needle biopsies, which obtain a small amount of tissue from the surface of the skin with a needle; and surgical biopsies, which remove larger amounts of tissue in one piece so that it can be sent to a lab for analysis.
- Transperineal Biopsy: Transperineal biopsy is used to diagnose cancer of the prostate. It involves inserting a thin needle through the skin in between the rectum and scrotum to remove a sample of tissue from one part of the prostate gland then examining it under a microscope for any abnormalities or signs of cancer.
- Transrectal Biopsy: A transrectal biopsy is a procedure that involves the removal of tissue from the prostate gland by inserting a thin needle through the rectum into the gland. The scan shows whether there are any cancer cells in relation to healthy tissue so that an accurate diagnosis can be made.
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) is a physical examination of the rectum and prostate gland to screen for prostate cancer. This exam requires that your doctor insert a lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate through the all the rectal for abnormal areas or lumps.
- Transrectal Ultrasound: A transrectal ultrasound can be used to check the prostate. A probe that is about the size of your finger is inserted into your rectum for this test. This is most often done to diagnose prostate cancer, but it is also used for a procedure called a biopsy.
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: The PSA test is performed to check the level of prostate-specific antigen in a man’s blood. The levels can be high in those men who have an enlargement of the prostate, inflammation, or infection of the prostate, or who are suffering from prostate cancer itself.
Hormone therapy, or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), is a treatment that lowers the level of male hormones (androgens) in the body and can slow or stop cell growth. Hormone therapy can be used alone or combined with other treatments to help control prostate cancer. The goal of this treatment is to slow or stop the growth of prostate cancer cells until they are no longer growing.
- Orchiectomy is a surgical operation that involves the removal of one or both testicles to reduce hormone production. This is done if the person has cancers related to testosterone like prostate cancer or testicular cancer.
- Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists work by preventing the testicles from producing testosterone. This can cause infertility in men.
- Estrogens are a type of hormone that is produced in the female body. These hormones help your body develop during puberty and may help prevent the testicles from producing testosterone.
- Androgens are hormones that stimulate the growth and development of masculine characteristics. The action of androgens can be blocked with the help of antiandrogens.
- Certain drugs can be used to treat tumors that produce androgens (hormones that promote male sex characteristics). These drugs may be used alone, or with surgical removal of the testes.
Surgery helps in treating your illness. It can be of different types, depending on the health condition. Surgery is recommended for those people who are good in overall health.
- Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP): TURP involves the removal of tissue from the prostate. A light and thin tube is inserted through the urethra to place a resectoscope, which has a cutting tool at its tip. The resectoscope is then moved within the prostate where it cuts out any growths or obstructions.
- Radical Prostatectomy: A radical prostatectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the entire prostate and some surrounding tissue, usually including the seminal vesicles. The surgeon removes the entire prostate with lobes that contain cancer, as well as surrounding tissue known as neurovascular bundles, to ensure that all cancerous cells are removed.
- Retropubic Prostatectomy: During During a retropubic prostatectomy, your surgeon will make an incision in the abdominal wall. The prostate is removed through this incision. Lymph nodes that may contain cancer are also removed during this procedure.
- Pelvic Lymphadenectomy: Lymphadenectomy is the surgical removal of lymph nodes in the pelvis. The tissue is examined under a microscope for viewing the presence of cancer cells. If there is a presence of cancer cells in the lymph nodes, then prostate is removed, and lymph nodes may be removed as well.
- Internal Radiation Therapy: This form of radiation therapy directly targets cancer cells. It is called internal radiotherapy if the radioactive substance is sealed in catheters, seeds, needles, or wires. These substances are placed near or into the cancer and remain there for a certain amount of time before they are removed and replaced with new ones.
- External Radiation Therapy: External radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that uses a machine outside the body to send radiation to the cancer. This therapy can be performed at home or in a hospital or clinic.
FAQs
The price of Prostate Cancer Surgery in India is approximately USD 5500. The cost of the prostate cancer surgery varies on the basis of certain factors such as the number days you spend in India, the type and duration of your treatment and services provided by your doctor.
The prostate is a small gland between the urethra and bladder that is responsible for making up part of the liquid in semen. The fluid makes sure sperm stay healthy and mobile, so they can efficiently fertilize an egg.
PSA is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland; their degrees help identify prostate ailments. The PSA test can help your doctor determine whether your prostate has become enlarged or if cancer may be present.
Radiation is the number one treatment for prostate cancer in the world. It is used to destroy or shrink the prostate gland, which can help slow down cancer. Radiation is usually given 5 days a week for 4-8 weeks (about 2 months), depending on how quickly your body absorbs and eliminates the radiation. The longer you receive it and the stronger the dose, the higher your chances of success with this type of therapy. There are also other factors that come into play when determining your overall cure rate.
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers affecting men. It is treatable when diagnosed in the early stage, but screening is essential in identifying as well as treating prostate cancer.
Gleason score is a method that suggests how likely it is that prostate cancer cells will migrate or disperse. The Gleason score, which is an overall grouping of the cells that make up the tumor, ranges from 2-10, with 10 being the most likely to spread. A low Gleason score indicates that the prostate cancer cells resemble normal prostate glandular tissue and are less likely to spread.
