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BAJAJ FINSERV HEALTH LIMITED
Radiation Therapy
Find the best hospitals for Radiation Therapy on the Bajaj Finserv Health platform.
Minimum Cost
₹2,50,000
Average Cost
₹24,00,000
Maximum Cost
₹23,00,000
- radiation therapy cost in India depends on factors like the city, hospital and doctor.
- You can convert your radiation therapy cost into easy, no-cost EMIs with Bajaj Finserv Health.
Quick links
- What is Radiation Therapy?
- Types of Radiation Therapy Procedure
- When is Radiation Therapy Required?
- How to Prepare for Radiation Therapy?
- What Happens Before Radiation Therapy Procedure?
- What Happens During Radiation Therapy Operation?
- Methods/Techniques used for performing radiation therapy procedure
- Post Procedure Details
- Risks and Complications Associated with Radiation Therapy
- Why Bajaj Health?
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy, often referred to as radiotherapy, is a medical procedure which utilizes high-energy radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. The radiation used in this procedure damages the DNA of cancer cells, restricting their growth and division. Healthy cells in the surrounding area can also be affected by radiation, but they are able to repair themselves more easily than cancer cells.
Types of Radiation Therapy Procedure
External Beam Radiation Therapy
This is the most common kind of radiation. It involves directing radiation to the cancerous area from outside the body with a machine that is called a linear accelerator. The machine is able to precisely target the cancerous cells with minimum exposure of healthy cells to radiation. The procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis, and each treatment session lasts only a few minutes.
Internal Radiation Therapy
Internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy, involves the placement of a radioactive source inside the body in close proximity to the cancerous cells. This allows for a high radiation dose to be delivered directly to cancerous cells while minimizing radiation exposure of healthy cells. The radioactive source can be placed inside the body temporarily or permanently, depending on the specific treatment plan.
Radiosurgery
Radiosurgery is a non-invasive radiation therapy procedure that uses multiple radiation beams to precisely target and destroy cancerous cells. It is often used to treat brain tumors and other small tumors in the body. Radiosurgery does not involve any incisions or anesthesia, and each treatment session lasts only a few minutes.
Proton Therapy
Proton therapy uses protons rather than X-rays to treat cancerous cells. Protons are able to deliver a higher dose of radiation to the cancerous cells with maximum protection from this radiation to healthy cells. Proton therapy is very commonly used to treat cancers that are located near vital organs or in areas of the body that are particularly sensitive to radiation.
Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
The side effects depend on the type and dose of radiation used, as well as the location of the cancerous cells. Fatigue, skin irritation, hair loss, and nausea are common side effects. Most of these effects are temporary and can be managed with medication or other treatments.
Conclusion
Radiation therapy is a medical procedure that uses high-energy radiation to treat cancer and other diseases. There are several types of radiation therapy procedures, including external beam radiation therapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy and internal radiation therapy. If you are considering the treatment option of radiation therapy, you must talk to the doctor about the risks and advantages involved with this procedure.
When is Radiation Therapy Required?
Radiation therapy is needed when a patient is diagnosed with cancer.
It is used as a treatment option for various cancers like breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and more.
Radiation therapy can either be used alone or with other treatments like surgery/chemotherapy.
It is also used to relieve symptoms associated with cancer, such as pain and swelling.
How to Prepare for Radiation Therapy?
Consultation with Your Doctor
Before undergoing radiation therapy, it is important to have a consultation with your doctor. The doctor will explain the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives to radiation therapy.
Medical History and Physical Examination
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and conduct a physical exam to see if you are eligible for radiation therapy.
Lab Tests and Imaging
Your doctor may recommend lab tests and imaging tests like CT scans and MRI scans, to understand the location and extent of the cancer.
Stop Smoking and Alcohol
It is important that the person scheduled for radiation therapy stop smoking and alcohol consumption a couple of weeks prior to the procedure. Smoking and alcohol can hamper the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
Dietary Changes
Your doctor may recommend diet modifications to ensure that you are getting enough nutrients to support your body during the healing process. This may include eating more protein, less sugar and less fat.
Arrange Transportation
As radiation therapy can be a lengthy procedure, it is important to arrange transportation to and from the hospital or clinic. You may also need to arrange for a person to help with daily tasks like cooking and cleaning, while you recover.
Prepare for Side Effects
Radiation therapy can cause side effects, such as fatigue, skin irritation, and nausea. Your doctor will provide you with information on how to manage these side effects and may prescribe medication to help alleviate them.
What Happens Before Radiation Therapy Procedure?
Consultation with a Radiation Oncologist:
Before radiation therapy, patients meet with a radiation oncologist who will explain the treatment plan, discuss possible side effects, and answer any patient questions.
Imaging Tests:
Imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, may be done to help the radiation oncologist plan the treatment. These images can also help the doctor identify the size and location of the tumor.
Simulation:
During the simulation, the patient lies on a table in the same position they will be in during radiation therapy. The radiation oncologist uses the images from the imaging tests to map out the area that needs to be treated. The patient may also have small marks placed on their skin to help the radiation therapist target the right area during treatment.
Treatment Planning:
After the simulation, the radiation oncologist and radiation therapist use the information gathered to create a treatment plan. This plan will specify the dose of radiation, how many treatments will be needed, and how long each treatment will take.
Preparation:
Patients may need to follow specific instructions before radiation therapy. For example, they may need to avoid certain foods or medications that could interfere with treatment.
What Happens During Radiation Therapy Operation?
Positioning:
Before the radiation therapy operation begins, the patient is positioned on the table in the same way as during the simulation.
Monitoring:
During the radiation therapy operation, the patient is monitored by a radiation therapist who is in the control room. The therapist can see as well as hear the patient at all times and can communicate with them through a speaker and microphone.
Treatment:
The radiation therapist uses a machine to deliver the radiation to the area that needs to be treated. The patient may be asked to hold their breath for a few seconds to help keep the area still during treatment.
Repositioning:
Depending on the treatment plan, the patient may need to be repositioned several times during the radiation therapy operation to target different areas.
Duration:
The duration of each radiation therapy operation varies depending on the treatment plan. Some treatments may take only a few minutes, while others may take up to an hour.
Side Effects:
These vary, depending on the area being treated. Common side effects are fatigue, skin irritation, and nausea. The effects are usually temporary and can be dealt with medication and lifestyle changes.
Methods/Techniques used for performing radiation therapy procedure
External Beam Radiation Therapy:
This method uses a machine, a linear accelerator, to deliver high-energy radiation beams to the cancerous area. The patient lies on the treatment table while the machine rotates around them, delivering radiation from different angles. This method is usually used for cancers that are located deep within the body.
Brachytherapy:
This involves placing a radioactive source inside or next to the cancerous area. The source can be implanted permanently or temporarily. Permanent implants may include small radioactive seeds that are placed in the cancerous area using needles. Temporary implants may involve placing a catheter or applicator in the cancerous area and then inserting a radioactive source for a specific period of time.
Proton Therapy:
This method uses protons, which are positively charged particles, to treat cancer. Protons deposit their energy in a more targeted way than traditional radiation therapy, which can reduce the risk of damage to nearby tissues that are healthy. Proton therapy is usually used for cancers that are located near critical organs or structures.
Post Procedure Details
After the radiation therapy procedure, the patient may get some side effects like fatigue, skin irritation, nausea, and vomiting. The severity of these side effects depends on the type and dose of radiation therapy, as well as the location of the cancerous area. The patient may also need to follow some specific instructions regarding diet and activity level. The patient will require to attend follow-up appointments with their radiation oncologist to monitor their progress and ensure that the cancer is responding to treatment. The oncologist may also perform additional tests, such as imaging scans or blood tests, to check how effectively this therapy has worked.
Risks and Complications Associated with Radiation Therapy
While it is an effective treatment for cancer, radiation therapy does carry some risks and complications. These may include:Damage to Healthy Tissue:
Radiation therapy can damage healthy tissue surrounding the cancerous area, which can result in adverse effects such as fatigue, skin irritation, and nausea.
Secondary Cancers:
Radiation therapy can increase the risk of developing secondary cancers in the future.
Organ Damage:
Radiation therapy can damage organs near the cancerous area, which can lead to long-term complications such as difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Infertility:
Radiation therapy can damage the reproductive organs, which can lead to infertility or problems with sexual function.
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DisclaimerThe cost of radiation therapy depends on the following factors: the city, the hospital that is selected, the complexity of the procedure and the room chosen by the patient. The price range mentioned here is an approximation of the surgery cost; Bajaj Finserv Health does not claim that these prices are an exact estimate. For exact information about surgery charges, it is best inquire at the selected hospital.