BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY COST IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION

• Brain Tumour is an abnormal mass of tissue that grows inside the brain and multiplies uncontrollably. These tissues may or may not disturb the mechanism of the healthy cells in the brain, depending upon their type. There are over 150 types of brain tumour. However, primarily, there exist two types of brain tumours; they are:

Primary Brain Tumour:

This type of tumour originates from the brain tissues or the cells surrounding the brain. The further classification of primary brain tumour is as following:

• Glioma: This primary brain tumour origin in glial cells and can affect the brain and spinal cord. It can affect the functioning of the brain, depending upon its growth and location. Severe cases of glioma can be life-threatening.
• Non-Glial Cells: This type of brain tumour develops in or on the brain structures. It can affect any part of the brain, including nerves, glands and blood vessels.
• Benign: It is a non-cancerous tumour that remains still to a particular section and does not spread to other parts. Most of the times, benign tumours do not require treatment. However, it can prove to be fatal if it strikes nerves or blood vessels.
• Malignant: Malignant tumour is the cancerous tumour that can spread to other parts of the brain and does not confine to the location of origin.

Metastatic Brain Tumour:

• Metastatic Brain Tumour does not originate in the brain but starts from any other part of the body like lungs or breast. It then travels from its point of origin to the brain through the bloodstream. Metastatic brain tumours are usually cancerous. Almost 40% of the patients who have lung cancer gets affected by a metastatic brain tumour.
• Earlier, the metastatic brain tumour was a considerable risk, but with the advancement in the field of medical research, it is possible to treat metastatic brain tumour successfully. Top surgeons can treat the patients and can grant them new life along with the improved quality of life.
• To treat the life-threatening or the chronic brain disease, the medical practitioners make use of a surgical procedure called Brain Tumour Surgery.

BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY COST

Cost of Brain Tumour Surgery in India starts at USD 6,000. However, it can go as high as USD 9,000. The cost of surgery differs based on the condition of the patient. The factors that determine the cost of Brain Tumour Surgery in India are:

1. The choice of hospital for the surgery.
2. Room, a patient opts for a stay after the surgery.
3. For a medical tourist, the choice of hotel for a stay after the discharge from the hospital.
4. Neurosurgeon.
5. Drugs, medicines and therapies.
6. Condition of the patient.
7. Tests and diagnosis.
8. Type of brain tumour surgery.

Even, after taking into account each and every factor that may increase the cost of treatment, the entire expenses of brain tumour surgery in India is one-third as compared to the costs of treatment in any other developed nation.

MORE ABOUT BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY

What is Brain Tumour Surgery?

Brain Tumour Surgery is a surgical procedure to remove the tumour and the cells surrounding the tumour to get rid of this fatal brain disorder.

Surgery is the only treatment for the brain tumour. It is better for a patient to undergo the surgical procedure in the early stages to get control of the condition and improve the overall health.

The neurosurgeons decide on the type of treatment depending upon several factors. Some of the common aspects of determining the surgery are:

1. The overall physical and mental health of the patient.
2. Type of brain tumour.
3. The treatment also depends on the size and location of the tumour.
4. The Surgeons decide on the surgical procedure depending upon the area affected by a brain tumour.
5. Nature of the tumour.

Why Undergo Brain Tumour Surgery?

The brain is the most indispensable part of the human body. It provides the signals to the body to perform any and every activity. In case you are suffering from the brain tumour, surgery becomes must, to get rid of its chronic symptoms.

Ignoring the brain tumour surgery for longer duration may lead to:

• Speech difficulties.
• Vision disorders.
• Seizures.
• Behavioural and personality changes.
• Loss of sensation.
• Severe headache.
• Difficulty in balancing the body.
• Vomiting and nausea etc.

However, it is possible to regain the routine after the surgery. Brain tumour surgery can also help you in:

• Eradicating the brain tumour.
• Slow down the growth of brain tumour.
• Improve the signs and symptoms.
• Also, to find a cure for the disease.

The Procedure of Brain Tumour Surgery:

Before beginning with the surgical procedure, the neurosurgeon suggests complete diagnosis on the body of the patient. For comprehensive monitoring of the condition of the patient, the surgeon may suggest the following tests:

• MRI or CT Scan to get the detailed images of the brain.
• MRA or Angiogram; it helps with in-depth analysis of the brain, to detect all the nerve and blood vessels affected with the tumour.
• Biopsy, to know if the tumour is cancerous or not.
• Skull X-Ray.

After a complete examination, the doctor decides the type of Brain Tumour Surgery to be performed as per the condition of the patient.

Surgical Process:

The surgeon begins the process by shaving the affected region. The next step is to give anaesthesia to the patient so that he does not feel any pain during the surgery. Depending on the condition of the patient, the neurosurgeon opts for one of the following procedures:

Radiotherapy:

• It is a standard method used to treat cancer cells. When it is not possible to remove the brain tumour, the doctors make use of radiation to remove the tumour cells. Radiotherapy may be the primary therapy for the patient, or the surgeons may use it after the surgery. Using radiotherapy after the surgery help to treat the tumour that the surgeon cannot remove and also to reduce the brain tumour development in future.
• The neurosurgeons may continue with the radiotherapy over the period of three to seven weeks. The duration of radiation varies depending on the condition of the patient.

Craniotomy:

• It is the most preferred choice of neurosurgeons against a brain tumour. The process begins with making an incision in the area of bone from the skull. With the help of the opening, the surgeons get access to the brain. Before the surgery, the patient has to undergo the scans to know the exact location of the tumour. While other surgeons opt for image-guided surgery, which makes all the images available on the screen.
• Now, they remove the brain tumour and then puts back the flap of the skull to close the incision. It is possible to hold the closure into place with the help of metal brackets. It is possible to fix the structure with the help of stitches. You do not have to worry about the scars post-surgery, as it will not be visible and hide under your hair.

Microsurgery:

• In this type of brain tumour surgery, the doctors use a high power microscope to have a closer look at the nerves, brain tissues and the blood vessels. The process makes it possible to detect the healthy cells and defected cells and thus differentiate it more effectively from each other.
• So, the surgeon can easily remove the tumour cells and leave behind the brain tumour cells.

It is essential for the patient to remain in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. Here, the entire medical team provides personal attention and guidance to the patient for a speedy recovery.

Complications of Brain Tumour Surgery:

The most common complications after the Brain Tumour Surgery are:

• Redness or swelling.
• Vomiting and headache.
• Infection.
• Fever.
• Fluid discharge from the incision.
• Another major problem after the brain tumour surgery is in swallowing or eating food.

To avoid complications, the doctors provide drugs and medications. Along with that, the doctor may suggest considerable changes in the diet. At times, the doctors have to introduce an additional tube for feeding the patient that is NJ tube or G-Tube.

Make sure that you follow all the instructions from the doctor so that you can recover quickly after the surgery. The rehabilitation period in the hospital may be a week, but a patient may require more than a year to get back to regular life; be it personal or professional.

Do not ignore the instructions of a doctor after the discharge, and follow all the do’s and don’ts at home too. Irresponsible behaviour may lead to severe complications and at times, the failure of the surgery also.

Who is not a suitable patient for brain tumour surgery?

• The person who has AIDS cannot undergo brain tumour surgery.
• Doctors sidestep surgery on a patient with the body mass index higher than 30.
• Neurosurgeons avoid performing surgery on pregnant women.
• If a person has a high addiction to smoking, he is not suitable for brain tumour surgery.

Recovery After Brain Tumour Surgery:

It is possible to recover after brain tumour surgery only if the patient makes suitable changes in his routine life. Some of the most significant changes can be:

• Avoid the use of cell phones. If you want to talk to someone urgently, consider using a landline. Also, try to keep the conversations short.
• Do not eat heavy and oily food that can be difficult to swallow and lead to choking of your food pipe. Keep your diet light and simple.
• Say no to smoking.
• Add physical exercises to your daily routine to manage your weight.
• Keep your surroundings clean and maintain personal hygiene.

These are the simple tips but can avoid all the complications like infection or regeneration of tumour after the surgery etc.

Frequently Asked Questions About BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY

Top Hospitals for Brain Tumour Surgery in India:

1. Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.
2. Artemis Hospital, Gurugram.
3. BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi.
4. Medanta- The Medicity, Gurugram.
5. Max Super Speciality Hospital, Gurugram.

If someone from your friend or family is suffering from a brain tumour, you can consider India for treatment. India has some of the best hospitals and neurosurgeons in the world with the surgery success record of more than 95 %. Along with the high-quality treatment, you get to receive the best hospitality.

If you are worried about your arrangements in a foreign country and fail to get the appointment with your choice of a neurosurgeon, you can contact Denesa health.

Denesa Health is one of the best medical tourism companies in India with an outstanding team that aims at 100% customer satisfaction. The team take care of all your requirements right from the moment you land in the country till your travel back home. The connection doesn't end here. They also help you in getting online assistance from your surgeon for post-surgical follow-up. In short, they are your supporting medical partner until you recover completely from your disease.

So, what makes you wait? Approach the best medical tourism company in India with your personalised healthcare needs and receive the right healthcare assistance in a foreign country. Right from your visa to your recovery, Denesa Health stands by your side as a one-stop shop for your medical tourism requirements.