There are several questions that arise after a cancer diagnosis. Among the many questions that patients want to be answered is the question of the expense involved in the treatment. In recent times, with the advancement of cancer treatment, targeted therapy has been recognized as an important tool in cancer treatment.
Unlike chemotherapy, targeted therapy is a more precise form of treatment that may help patients with cancer. However, the expense of the treatment may differ according to the type of drug, the type of cancer, and the length of the treatment. In the following sections of the blog, we will discuss the expenses involved in targeted therapy.
What is Targeted Therapy for Cancer?
The modern cancer treatment of targeted therapy selects specific genes or proteins that drive cancer cell development and metastasis as its treatment target. The chemotherapy approach of treating cancer destroys both cancer cells and healthy cells. Targeted therapy prevents cancer progression by its method of blocking essential developmental signals.
After tests find particular genetic mutations and biomarkers in the tumor, doctors provide this treatment as their next step. Patients receive targeted therapy medicines through either oral tablet consumption or injection and intravenous administration in medical facilities.
Cancer treatment uses two primary categories of targeted therapy:
Monoclonal antibodies, which bind to particular cancer cell proteins, block all signals that lead to cancer cell development.
Small molecule inhibitors that penetrate cancer cells disrupt all internal mechanisms that support cancer cell growth and life maintenance.
What is the Average Cost of Targeted Therapy in India?
In India, the expenses for targeted therapy depend on three factors, which include the selected medication, the specific cancer type, and the length of treatment. The treatment costs between ₹80,000 and ₹2,50,000 each month, while advanced therapies require payment of ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh per treatment cycle.
The total expenses will rise because patients need to undergo multiple treatment sessions that extend over several months. The total treatment cost includes both medication expenses and costs for diagnostic tests, imaging scans, hospital visits, and follow-up consultations.
Targeted Therapy monthly costs in India - City-Wise Breakdown
Factors That Affect the Cost of Targeted Therapy
The expense of targeted therapy in India depends on various factors that determine its total cost.
Type of Targeted Drug
Different targeted drugs are used for different types of cancers and advanced drugs become expensive because their production requires complicated manufacturing methods, which applies to monoclonal antibodies as well.
Type and Stage of Cancer
The type of cancer and how advanced it is can affect the treatment plan and targeted therapy costs increase when patients need both targeted therapy and chemotherapy or immunotherapy treatments.
Duration of Treatment
Doctors will provide targeted therapy for multiple months or extended time periods based on how well the treatment works for each patient. The total treatment costs increase when patients undergo longer treatment periods.
Diagnostic and Genetic Testing
Patients need to complete their specialized tests, which include biomarker testing, molecular profiling and PET scans, before they can begin their targeted therapy. Physicians use these tests to assess whether targeted drugs will be effective against the cancer.
Hospital and Treatment Facility
The hospital that provides therapy services will determine the total cost of treatment. Advanced cancer centers with specialized oncology services and modern facilities will charge higher treatment rates.
Imported vs Generic Medicines
The international pharmaceutical companies developed many targeted therapy drugs which remain expensive. However, biosimilar or generic versions of some of these drugs are now available in India, which can significantly reduce the cost.
Cost of Common Targeted Therapy Drugs in India
The expense of targeted therapy medications in India shows different price points which depend on the specific medication, its required dosage, the selected brand, and the oncology treatment strategy.
The medical field commonly employs these targeted therapy drugs together with their estimated market prices:
The drug Trastuzumab treats HER2-positive breast cancer which costs between ₹30,000 and ₹70,000 for each vial depending on which brand or biosimilar product is purchased.
The drug Pertuzumab which doctors administer with trastuzumab to treat specific breast cancer cases, costs between ₹2.5 lakh and ₹3 lakh for each vial.
Erlotinib treats particular lung cancer types as an oral tablet, which costs between ₹4,000 and ₹10,000 for monthly use.
Patients can access Gefitinib as an oral targeted therapy drug that treats lung cancer at monthly costs between ₹2,000 and ₹6,000 because generic products exist.
Conclusion
Targeted therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by providing a precise approach that is directed towards specific changes in cancer cells. The cost of targeted therapy in India depends on various factors, including the drug, type of cancer, duration of treatment, and facility of treatment.
Although this treatment appears costly, various alternatives are also provided that can help in reducing its cost, such as generic medication, insurance coverage, etc. The first thing that needs to be kept in mind is that the suitability of this therapy should always be kept in view by an expert oncologist who can provide the best possible treatment plan for you.
If you or your loved one is seeking targeted therapy for cancer treatment, you can consult Dr. Pooja Babbar, who is considered the Cancer Specialist in Gurgaon.
