Cancer is prevalent in Pakistan, especially in Karachi. However, the treatment of this complicated disease is still inaccessible for many people due to high prices. People suffer from the disease till death rather than spending money on getting treated.
According to the Mayo Clinic, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Over the past few decades, survival rates for cancer have increased. However, in Pakistan, the survival of cancer patients depends on access to expensive cancer treatments, which are usually not affordable.
In this blog, we will explore types of cancer treatments, cost of radiation therapy in Pakistan, and the best cancer hospitals in Pakistan.
Types of Cancer Treatments
There are many ways to treat cancer depending on the type, stage, and severity of the disease. Some of the types of cancer treatments are as follows:
1. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used to destroy tumors or prevent them from coming back. It can be used solely as the only treatment of cancer or in combination with other treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or both.
2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment in which strong chemicals are injected to kill fast-growing cancer cells in the body. It is commonly used to treat or control cancer.
3. Surgery
In this, the surgeons use cutting tools and equipment to remove the cancerous masses and some healthy tissue around them. They may also cut out some lymph nodes in the area.
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4. Interventional radiology
Interventional radiology involves the use of medical imaging to see inside the body with minimally invasive techniques to detect, diagnose, and treat cancer.
5. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy targets proteins that control how cancer cells, grow, divide, and spread. It uses drugs and other substances to accurately identify and target different types of cancer cells.
6. Blood & Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation
Stem cell transplantation is mostly used to treat patients with cancer that affects blood cells, including lymphoma, leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and multiple myeloma.
7. Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment in which a person’s own immune system is used to fight cancer. It functions by helping the immune system recognize, attack, and fight cancer cells.
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Cost of Radiation Therapy in Pakistan
Every year more than 100,000 new cancer patients are reported in Pakistan. Despite the prevalence of cancer in the country, cancer treatment facilities at the government level are insufficient. On the other hand, the private cancer treatment costs an arm and a leg.
Due to the high treatment cost, poor people move towards alternative modes of treatment like Hakeems.
Chemotherapy sessions are determined as per the stage and severity of the disease. Generally, there are 3-18 sessions of chemotherapy and 5-30 sessions of radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy costs around Rs 100,000 to Rs 500,000 per patient. On the other hand, the cost of radiation therapy in Pakistan is between Rs 5000 to Rs 15000 per session. Despite the high cost of radiation therapy in Pakistan, it is not readily available in government hospitals.
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Best Hospitals For Cancer Treatment in Pakistan
Some of the best cancer hospitals in Pakistan are as follows:
- Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre
- Bait-ul–Sukoon Cancer Hospital and Hospice, Karachi (BSCHH)
- Cancer Foundation Hospital and Hospice, Karachi
- Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), Islamabad
- Shifa Cancer Center
- Ziauddin Cancer Hospital, Karachi
- Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi
These cancer hospitals in Pakistan offer advanced cancer treatment, modern facilities, and skilled cancer doctors, and charge a hefty price.
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Final Words
Cancer is a disease that is prevalent worldwide. The treatment of this disease is present worldwide, but inaccessible to Pakistanis due to high cost. Many cancer hospitals in Pakistan cost a huge amount for cancer treatment.
The cost of radiation therapy in Pakistan ranges between Rs 5000 to Rs 15000 per session. Despite the high cost of radiation therapy in Pakistan and other cancer treatments, they are not readily available in government hospitals.
If you are doubtful about any cancer symptoms, then consult the best oncologist in Pakistan via Marham.pk.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does a radiotherapy session cost?
The cost of radiation therapy in Pakistan ranges between Rs 5000 to Rs 15000 per session.
2. Which is cheaper radiation or chemo?
Radiation therapy for cancer is cheaper than chemotherapy. It costs around Rs 5000-15000 per session, whereas chemotherapy costs between Rs 100,000 to Rs 500,000 per patient.