Lung Cancer Treatment in India: Advanced Care at Affordable Costs
What it is: Lung cancer treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach combining surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy to eliminate cancer cells, control disease spread, and improve quality of life.
Why India? India offers world-class lung cancer treatment at 60–80% lower costs than Western countries, with access to cutting-edge technologies like robotic surgery, SBRT radiation, and advanced immunotherapy.
VRH Healthcare Advantage: From your first consultation to complete recovery, VRH Healthcare provides seamless access to India's premier cancer centers with personalized, multilingual support throughout your treatment journey.
Recovery Time: Varies by treatment type—3–7 days hospital stay for minimally invasive surgery, 6–12 weeks for full recovery, with long-term surveillance for optimal outcomes.
Understanding Lung Cancer Treatment
Lung cancer treatment is a multidisciplinary approach aimed at eliminating cancer cells, controlling disease spread, and improving quality of life. Treatment plans are customized based on cancer stage, type, genetic profile, and overall health.
- Multidisciplinary care: Thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and rehabilitation experts working together.
- Stage-specific protocols: Tailored strategies for NSCLC, SCLC, and metastatic disease.
- Advanced technologies: Robotic surgery, SBRT radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
- Personalized medicine: Genetic testing (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, PD-L1) to guide therapy.
- Comprehensive support: Palliative care, nutritional counseling, and rehabilitation.
Causes & Symptoms
Main Causes:
- Smoking (85% of cases)
- Secondhand smoke exposure
- Radon gas, asbestos, air pollution
- Genetic predisposition & family history
- Pre-existing lung disease (COPD, fibrosis)
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Persistent cough or changes in chronic cough
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Chest pain worsened by breathing or coughing
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Unexplained weight loss & fatigue
- Recurring lung infections
- Hoarseness or difficulty swallowing
Diagnostic Process
A complete diagnosis involves:
- Medical history & physical exam – Risk factor review & lung assessment
- Imaging: Chest X-ray, CT scan, PET-CT (₹23,000–₹26,000) for staging
- Biopsy: Bronchoscopy, CT-guided needle, or surgical biopsy
- Biomarker testing: EGFR, ALK, ROS1, PD-L1 for targeted therapy & immunotherapy
- Pulmonary function tests: Evaluate surgical fitness
- Tumor board review: Multidisciplinary treatment planning
Types of Lung Cancer Treatment in India
- Surgical Treatment
- Lobectomy: Gold standard for Stage I–II NSCLC
- Segmentectomy/Wedge Resection: Lung-sparing for small tumors
- Pneumonectomy: Complete lung removal for central disease
- Minimally invasive: VATS and robotic surgery for faster recovery
- Radiation Therapy
- IMRT / 3D-CRT: Precise tumor targeting
- SBRT: 85–90% tumor control for early-stage disease
- Combined with chemotherapy for better outcomes
- Systemic Therapy
- Chemotherapy: Cisplatin, carboplatin, paclitaxel, gemcitabine (₹38,000–₹75,000 per cycle)
- Targeted Therapy: EGFR, ALK, ROS1 mutation-specific drugs
- Immunotherapy: Nivolumab, pembrolizumab with 95% success in select patients
Recovery & Rehabilitation
Hospital Stay:
- 3–7 days (VATS/robotic surgery)
- 7–10 days (open surgery)
Recovery Phases:
- Weeks 1–2: Pain control, chest tube removal, early walking, pulmonary exercises
- Weeks 2–8: Gradual activity increase, pulmonary rehabilitation
- Months 2–12: Full functional recovery, long-term surveillance
Outcomes & Survival Rates
| Stage | 5-Year Survival | Treatment Success | Median Survival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage I | 63% | >90% (surgery) | 70+ months |
| Stage II | 35–45% | 85–95% (multimodal) | 96 months |
| Stage III | 15–25% | Varies | 8.1 months |
| Stage IV | 7% | 15% with immunotherapy | 12.7 months |
| Overall India | 17.8% | Rising with advanced care | 12.7 months |
Why Choose India for Lung Cancer Treatment?
- Cost Savings: $7,000–$20,000 USD vs. $35,000–$70,000 in the West
- World-Class Infrastructure: JCI/NABH-accredited hospitals with robotic surgery & advanced radiation
- Expert Specialists: Internationally trained oncologists & thoracic surgeons
- Advanced Therapies: Immunotherapy, targeted drugs, SBRT radiation, clinical trial access
- Comprehensive Care: Genetic counseling, palliative care, rehabilitation, survivorship programs
VRH Healthcare – Complete Support for International Patients
Pre-Arrival:
- Medical visa & documentation support
- Online consultations with leading oncologists
- Personalized treatment plan
During Treatment:
- Airport pickup & comfortable accommodation
- 24/7 multilingual patient coordination
- Priority scheduling for surgery or therapy
Post-Discharge:
- Follow-up appointments & imaging
- Long-term surveillance & survivorship care
- Access to rehabilitation & counseling services
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
With VRH Healthcare, you gain access to India's best lung cancer specialists, advanced treatment technologies, and compassionate international patient care.
📞 Contact us today to begin your personalized treatment journey.
Meet Our Top Oncology Doctors
Prof. (Dr.) Atul Sharma
Medical Oncology
Prof. Atul Sharma, a leading medical oncologist with 27+ years of experience, former AIIMS Professor, specializes in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket.
Dr. Priya Tiwari
Medical Oncology
Dr. Priya Tiwari, AIIMS-trained medical oncologist and gold medalist, specializes in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy at Artemis Hospital, Gurugram.
Dr. Amal Roy Chaudhoory
Radiation Oncology
Dr. Amal Roy Chaudhoory, Director of Radiation Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram with 23+ years expertise in precision radiotherapy and cancer care.