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Chemotherapy refers to drugs given to cure and control cancer, to reduce the chance of cancer coming back or to shrink cancer and prolong life. Chemotherapy is given in cycles, that is, there is frequently a gap in the treatment, which may be weeks before exhibiting the patient to the next cycle. This gap is given by the best chemotherapy doctor in Mumbai to allow time for the recovery of patients from the previous dose.

Chemotherapy drugs are very potent and hence may temporarily affect healthy cells too. This can cause some side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, poor appetite, mouth sores, changes in the way food tastes, infection, hair loss. However, with modern medications and research, the side effects have been eliminated to a great extent.

Best chemotherapy in Mumbai is given by one of the four routes, as mentioned below:

ORAL- In this, the medicine is given by mouth and travels into the bloodstream through the lining of the stomach or upper intestine. You may be given medications like tablets and capsules to take home and along with other specific instructions as to whether they are to be taken with food or on empty stomach.

INTRAMUSCULAR- Drugs are given by injection into the muscle, like vaccinations

SUBCUTANEOUS- Drugs given by injection below the skin, similar to how insulin is administered

INTRAVENOUS (IV)– In this most commonly used method wherein the drugs are injected into a vein, whereby the chemotherapy drugs enter the bloodstream rapidly. Chemo drugs that are likely to affect healthy cells may be given by way of IV fluids which works by diluting the strength and the chemicals in the drugs.  

Chemotherapy is given according to a protocol. Chemotherapy cost in Mumbai varies as per the dose and frequency that is required to be given depending upon the kind of cancer you have; the drugs being used and how your body responds to them. It may be given every week, twice a month, or once a month. One thing that should be kept in mind is that the type of treatment, the cycles required to be given, and the treatment duration varies for every person for different cancers.

If you must battle cancer, you may consider contacting healthcare centers offering the best chemotherapy in Mumbai. While there are many oncologists providing chemotherapy, if you want to choose one of the best chemotherapy doctors in Mumbai, you may call Dr. Fahad Afzal.

Chemotherapy in Mumbai can be an outpatient therapy that may last for half an hour to even 8- 12 hours. Occasionally, chemotherapy may even be given over days. A regular of 6 cycles of chemotherapy is usually counselled, but it might change based upon the stage of the disease. Sometimes it might require only 2 cycles of chemotherapy while other times an intensive protocol of 9 cycles or more paired with other supporting medications and therapy might be required which consecutively contribute to the cost of chemotherapy. A set of evaluations such as x-rays, physical evaluation, HIV and hepatitis B/C screening, tests to assess lungs, heart, pancreas, liver, along with scans like PET scan, CT scan, etc may also be required. Additionally, blood tests are conducted to assess liver and kidney, heart functioning, etc to find out whether the body is fit to receive chemotherapy. Fixing any present infections and ailments before chemotherapy is started helps to lower the risks and severity of complications as well as side effects that may arise during the course of chemotherapy. Average chemotherapy cost in Mumbai varies from hospital to hospital and every patient’s unique medical history. It also differs depending upon the type, stage and grade of cancer, class of drugs administered, the dosage of drugs given, treatment plan etc. as well as the hospital and the patient’s medical history. Additionally, if monoclonal antibodies are required the chemotherapy charges in Mumbai will go up. Chemotherapy cost in Mumbai is associated with pre as well as post-treatment costs. Pre chemotherapy costs include a PET scan which is used to determine the spread of cancer and get an overview of the size of the tumour. Besides this, a biopsy of the lung, radiation of the brain, radiation of the whole body. Post Chemotherapy charges include the cost of supportive care, blood transfusion in case the platelet and blood cells drop, protein supplements, cost of medications to counter-attack the side effects of drugs etc. Depending on the stage the disease is at, the number of sessions to be given is decided and a  custom made cycle is tailored for each patient which further contributes to the total chemotherapy cost in Mumbai.

Chemotherapy cost in Mumbai depends on various factors. However, if you want an affordable option, you may contact Dr. Fahad Afzal, widely recognised among the best chemotherapy doctors in Mumbai.