Cancer Treatment Cost in India: Detailed Breakdown (2025)
India continues to be a global hub for cost-effective, high-quality cancer care. In 2025, patients from across the world are choosing Indian oncology centers for top-tier treatment at a fraction of Western prices. According to WHO, India saw 1.6 million new cancer diagnoses in 2023 mrmed.in—yet thanks to innovations like domestically produced CAR‑T (NexCar19) at ~10 % of global pricing time.com, and expanded public schemes, the country is more accessible than ever.
This post brings you the most current, city-wise, and hospital-wise cost breakdown for chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, and bone marrow transplant. Our goal? To help patients—and referring doctors—quickly compare costs in metropolitan hubs (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad),
In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we break down:
✔ Latest cancer treatment costs (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, immunotherapy, etc.)
✔ Price comparisons across top hospitals and cities
✔ Key factors affecting treatment expenses
✔ Medical visa, insurance, and support services for foreign patients
Let’s explore why India is a top choice for oncology treatment and how you can access cost-effective, world-class care.
Overview: Cost Drivers in Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment costs vary based on several key factors:
- Cancer type & stage: Complex or late-stage cases demand multi-modality care.
- Treatment modality: Surgery vs chemo vs immunotherapy—each has a unique cost range.
- Hospital category: Government (e.g., Tata Memorial, AIIMS) vs corporate chains (Apollo, Fortis).
- City/location: Tier-1 metros typically cost more.
- Doctor’s seniority and infrastructure: Robotic suites and leading oncologists command higher fees.
- Insurance/finance support: Ayushman Bharat, state schemes, NGO aid.
Cancer Treatment Cost in India (2025) – Breakdown by Procedure
1. Chemotherapy Cost in India
Chemotherapy remains a primary treatment for various cancers. Costs depend on:
- Drug type (generic vs. branded)
- Number of cycles (typically 6-8)
- Hospital category (premium vs. government)
2025 Price Range:
| Type | Cost per Cycle (USD) |
|---|---|
| Generic Chemotherapy | $200 – $500 |
| Branded Chemotherapy | $800 – $2,500 |
| Immunotherapy (Keytruda, Opdivo) | $1,500 – $5,000 |
City-wise Comparison:
- Delhi & Mumbai: $250 – $3,000 per cycle
- Bangalore & Hyderabad: $200 – $2,800 per cycle
- Chennai & Kolkata: $180 – $2,500 per cycle
Radiation Therapy Cost in India
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. Prices vary based on:
- Technology used (IMRT, IGRT, CyberKnife, Proton Therapy)
- Number of sessions (15-35 sessions typically)
2025 Price Range:
| Technology | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Conventional Radiation | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| IMRT (Intensity-Modulated) | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| CyberKnife (Stereotactic) | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Proton Therapy | $15,000 – $25,000 |
Top Hospitals Offering Radiation Therapy:
- Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai) – Most affordable
- Apollo Hospitals (Chennai, Delhi) – Advanced IMRT/IGRT
- Medanta Gurugram – Proton Therapy
Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Cost in India
BMT is used for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
2025 Price Range:
| Transplant Type | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Autologous BMT | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Allogeneic BMT | $25,000 – $45,000 |
Top BMT Hospitals:
- Tata Memorial, Mumbai – Most affordable
- Apollo Chennai – High success rates
- Fortis Gurgaon – International patient support
Cancer Surgery Cost in India
Surgical costs depend on tumor type, complexity, and hospital tier.
2025 Price Range:
| Surgery Type | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Lumpectomy (Breast) | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Prostatectomy | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Lung Lobectomy | $7,000 – $15,000 |
| Whipple Procedure (Pancreatic) | $10,000 – $20,000 |
City-wise Comparison:
- Delhi & Mumbai: $3,000 – $20,000
- Bangalore & Hyderabad: $2,800 – $18,000
- Government Hospitals (AIIMS, Tata Memorial): 50-70% lower
Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy Costs
Advanced treatments like Keytruda, Opdivo, CAR-T cell therapy are available in India at lower costs.
2025 Price Range:
| Drug/Therapy | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) | $2,500 – $4,000 per dose |
| CAR-T Cell Therapy | $50,000 – $80,000 |
City-Wise Cost Summary
| Treatment | Mumbai | Delhi | Chennai | Bangalore | Hyderabad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemo/cycle | ₹15k–₹75k | ₹12k–₹70k | ₹12k–₹60k | ₹12k–₹65k | ₹12k–₹60k |
| Radiation (course) | ₹60k–₹2.25L | ₹60k–₹2L | ₹60k–₹1.8L | ₹60k–₹2L | ₹60k–₹2L |
| Immuno/session | ₹1.5–4 L | ₹1.5–4 L | ₹1.5–4 L | ₹1.5–4 L | ₹1.5–4 L |
| Targeted per cycle | ₹2–3 L | ₹2–3 L | ₹2–3 L | ₹2–3 L | ₹2–3 L |
| Surgery | ₹2–10 L | ₹2–10 L | ₹2–8 L | ₹2–8 L | ₹2–8 L |
| BMT | ₹15–48 L | ₹15–48 L | ₹15–40 L | ₹15–40 L | ₹15–40 L |
(Ranges across government to premium private facilities.)
Hospital-Wise Cost Comparison (2025)
Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai
- Up to 60 % patients treated at concessional rates (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
- Chemo-planning: ₹6,900–13,490; IV bolus ₹240–1,500; radiation/daycare ₹660–1,500 (tmc.gov)
- Proton therapy available at subsidised rates since 2023 .
AIIMS, Delhi
- Pediatric Gamma Knife ₹75k/session (retinoblastoma cases) (timesofindia.indiatimes.com.)
- Standard radiation ~₹60k–2L depending on complexity.
Max Healthcare, Apollo, Fortis
- Chemo ₹35k–75k; Radiation ₹1.5–2 L (IMRT); robotic surgery ₹5–8 L; immuno/targeted ₹2–4 L per dose.
Medanta, Gurgaon
- Similar to other top private providers; chemo ₹40–80k, IMRT ₹1–2 L, immunotherapy ₹1.6–4 L.
Regional Govt Centres
- AIIMS, Tata, RCC Kerala: free to nominal costs under public schemes r.
Cost Comparison Table: Treatments × Hospitals × Cities
(Inline summary table; full downloadable PDF available on-site.)
| Modality | Tata Memorial (Mumbai) | AIIMS (Delhi) | Apollo (Chennai) | Max (Delhi) | Medanta (Gurgaon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemo/cycle | ₹12k–30k | ₹12k–35k | ₹35k–60k | ₹40k–75k | ₹40k–80k |
| Radiation/course | ₹60k–2 L | ₹70k–2 L | ₹80k–2 L | ₹90k–2.2 L | ₹90k–2 L |
| Immuno/session | ₹1.5–3 L | ₹1.5–4 L | ₹1.8–4 L | ₹2–4 L | ₹1.6–4 L |
| Targeted/cycle | ₹2–2.5 L | ₹2–3 L | ₹2–3 L | ₹2–3 L | ₹2–3 L |
| Surgery | ₹2–8 L | ₹3–10 L | ₹2–8 L | ₹3–10 L | ₹3–10 L |
| BMT (approx) | ₹5–15 L govt / ₹20–40 L private | ₹15–40 L | ₹15–40 L | ₹15–48 L | ₹15–48 L |
Influencing Factors: Why Costs Vary
- Type & Stage of Cancer – Early-stage treatments cost less.
- Hospital Category – Corporate hospitals charge more than government ones.
- Doctor’s Expertise – Senior oncologists may have higher fees.
- Diagnostics & Follow-ups – PET-CT, biopsies add to costs.
- Insurance & Financial Aid – Some hospitals offer discounts.
Foreign Patient Support & Medical Visa Guidance
Indian hospitals—especially Apollo, Max, Medanta, Fortis—offer comprehensive international patient packages, including:
- Dedicated International Coordinators
- Medical visa facilitation (usually 90-day single-entry)
- Enrollment help for Ayushman Bharat or commercial insurance
- Airport pickup, 5-star hotel stay
- Language support: translators for English, Arabic, Russian, French
Costs for these services depend on hospital and package level, typically ₹2–5 L (USD 2.5–6.0k) added atop clinical costs.
Financial Aid & Insurance Options
- Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY / State schemes: Covers up to ₹5–7 L per family; Karnataka scheme spurred 6x cancer procedural uptake in 2024–25 (indiatimes.com)
- NGOs: Cancer Support, CanKids, Milaap provide grants and subsidized meds.
- Tax & duty cuts: Advocacy underway to remove tax on cancer drugs and imports; 12 % duty currently reuters.com.
- Self-pay assistance: EMI financing available at most private hospitals.
FAQs: Cancer Treatment Cost in India
A: ₹3–10 L for chemo + surgery + radiation; serious cases with targeted/immunotherapy may exceed ₹15–20 L.
Starts at ₹25–60 L privately; subsidised govt versions may halve that.
Yes—govt centres do it ₹5–15 L; private hospitals ₹15–48 L reuters.com.
Comprehensive plans (health or cancer-specific) do, but check waiting periods; government schemes cover basics.
Choose centers with international desk, package pricing, transparent billing, and disease-specific tumor boards.
Yes! India offers 60-80% cost savings compared to the US.
Top choices: Tata Memorial, Apollo, AIIMS, Fortis, and Medanta.
Contact ShifaM Health for free consultations, hospital recommendations, and visa assistance.
Conclusion: Affordable, World-Class Cancer Care in India
India’s healthcare system in 2025 offers international patients world-class oncology care at competitively 50–80 % lower costs than Western countries. Whether you’re considering chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, surgery, or bone marrow transplant, cost comparisons between Tata Memorial, AIIMS, Apollo, and Medanta can help you make an educated decision.
Need Help? Get a FREE Personalized Treatment Plan & Cost Estimate from India’s top cancer hospitals.
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