15 Frequently Asked Questions : Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatments in India for Canadian Patients

Q1 · Why Do Canadian Patients Consider Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatment in India?

Canadian patients may consider India for radiotherapy and modern cancer treatment because major Indian cancer centres offer multidisciplinary oncology services, advanced radiation technologies, medical oncology, surgical oncology and specialised cancer-care programmes.

Some reasons patients consider India include:

• Experienced radiation oncologists and medical oncologists
• Large dedicated cancer centres and multispeciality hospitals
• Advanced radiation-treatment facilities
• IMRT and IGRT
• VMAT
• Stereotactic radiotherapy and SBRT
• Stereotactic radiosurgery for selected conditions
• Brachytherapy
• Proton therapy at selected centres
• Advanced linear-accelerator technology
• PET-CT, MRI and other cancer imaging
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Molecular and precision oncology
• Multidisciplinary tumour-board assessment
• Potentially shorter waiting periods for planned private treatment
• Potentially lower private-treatment costs
• International-patient services in major Indian medical cities

India has established radiation-oncology programmes using technologies such as IMRT, IGRT, VMAT and stereotactic radiation, while proton therapy is also available at selected centres.

However, the most advanced technology is not automatically the best treatment for every patient. The treatment should be selected according to the cancer type, location, stage, treatment objective and specialist assessment.

Q2 · How Much Does Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatment Cost in India Compared with Canada?

The cost of cancer treatment varies according to the cancer type, treatment technology, number of radiation sessions, hospital, specialist, medicines, diagnostic requirements and patient's individual medical condition.

Canadian patients should compare the complete treatment cost rather than looking only at the radiation or procedure fee.

For Easy Comparison, Costs are mentioned in US Dollars (USD), Indian Rupees (INR) and Canadian Dollar (CAD).

Exchange Rate Used for Planning

C$1 ≈ US$0.73  •  US$1 = INR 95

Important: These are broad planning ranges only. The final cost depends on the cancer type, treatment intent, number of fractions, radiation technology, treatment planning, medicines, pathology, imaging, hospital stay and additional treatment requirements. Proton therapy and modern systemic treatments can have substantially different costs depending on the patient's treatment plan.

What Should Be Included in the Total Cost?

Canadian patients should ask whether the quotation includes:

• Radiation oncologist consultation
• Medical oncologist consultation where required
• Treatment planning
• CT simulation
• MRI/PET-CT or other imaging where required
• Treatment immobilisation
• Radiation planning and dosimetry
• Radiation sessions
• Linear-accelerator charges
• IMRT/IGRT/VMAT planning and delivery
• Stereotactic treatment where applicable
• Brachytherapy procedure and equipment where applicable
• Proton therapy planning and delivery where applicable
• Chemotherapy medicines
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Blood investigations
• Pathology and molecular testing
• Hospitalisation where required
• Anaesthesia or procedural sedation where applicable
• Medicines and consumables
• Management of treatment-related complications
• Follow-up consultations
• Nutrition and supportive care
• Physiotherapy or rehabilitation where required
• Accommodation outside the hospital
• Flights
• Visa
• Travel insurance
• Local transportation

The complete budget should also account for flights, accommodation, visa, transportation, insurance and possible additional stay.

Compare the full planned treatment journey, not only the radiotherapy quotation.

Compare the Complete Treatment Cost

Canada: The treatment journey may include oncology consultation, imaging, treatment planning, radiation therapy, systemic treatment where required, supportive care and follow-up.

India: The treatment journey may include pre-travel medical-record review, radiation-oncology consultation, pathology and imaging review, treatment planning, radiation or systemic treatment, follow-up and recovery planning.

Q3 · Which Indian Cities Are Best for Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatment for Canadian Patients?

The right Indian city depends on the cancer type, tumour location, stage, treatment technology required, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, hospital facilities and follow-up arrangements.

The final city should be selected according to the patient's cancer diagnosis and the hospital and oncology

Q4 · Which Hospitals in India Provide Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatment?

Canadian patients should consider hospitals with radiation oncology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, advanced imaging, pathology, radiation planning and appropriate supportive-care facilities.

Hospital availability, specialist availability and specific radiation technologies can change. Patients should confirm the relevant oncology department, technology and treating specialist before travelling.

Q5 · What Types of Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatments Are Available in India?

Radiotherapy and modern cancer treatment are selected according to the cancer type, location, stage, treatment objective and previous treatment.

Conventional and 3D-Conformal Radiotherapy

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy can be used to shape radiation treatment around the tumour while limiting exposure to surrounding tissues where appropriate.

IMRT — Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

IMRT allows radiation intensity to be varied across treatment fields and can help shape the radiation dose around selected tumours and nearby organs.

IGRT — Image-Guided Radiation Therapy

IGRT uses imaging during the treatment process to help guide radiation delivery according to the patient's anatomy and treatment plan.

VMAT — Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

VMAT delivers radiation while the treatment machine rotates around the patient and can be used for selected cancers requiring complex dose distribution.

SRS / SRT / SBRT

Stereotactic techniques deliver highly focused radiation in selected cases, often using fewer treatment sessions than conventional fractionated radiotherapy.

Brachytherapy Brachytherapy places a radiation source close to or inside the tumour area and may be used for selected cancers.

Proton Therapy

Proton therapy uses charged particles and has different physical dose-distribution characteristics from conventional photon radiotherapy. It may be useful for selected patients where reducing radiation exposure to surrounding tissues is clinically important.

India has licensed radiotherapy facilities using a range of techniques, including IMRT, IGRT, VMAT and stereotactic radiation, while proton therapy is available at selected centres.

Modern Systemic Cancer Treatment

Depending on the cancer, treatment may also include:

• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Precision medicine
• Molecularly guided treatment
• Combination systemic therapy

The final treatment plan should be determined by a qualified oncology team after reviewing the patient's complete medical information.

Q6 · How Can Canadian Patients Get a Radiotherapy or Modern Cancer Treatment Quotation from India?

Canadian patients should send their medical records for specialist review before travelling.

Step 1: Collect Medical Records

Prepare

• Cancer diagnosis
• Biopsy report
• Histopathology report
• Immunohistochemistry results
• Molecular/genetic test results where available
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• PET-CT reports and images
• Previous radiation records
• Previous chemotherapy records
• Previous surgery reports
• Blood-test reports
• Current medication list
• Previous discharge summaries

For patients who have already received radiotherapy, obtain the previous radiation treatment summary and dose information, if available.

Step 2: Specialist Review

The Indian radiation oncologist or oncology team may review:

• Cancer type
• Stage
• Tumour location
• Pathology
• Previous treatments
• Previous radiation exposure
• Current disease status
• Overall health

Step 3: Treatment Planning

The specialist may recommend:

• Conventional radiation
• IMRT
• IGRT
• VMAT
• SRS/SRT/SBRT
• Brachytherapy
• Proton therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• A combination of treatments

Step 4: Cost Estimate

Once the proposed treatment pathway is established, the hospital can provide an estimated treatment cost.

Patients should request a written quotation that clearly identifies included and excluded services.

Q7 · Can Canadian Patients Get a Second Opinion in India for Radiotherapy?

Yes. A second radiation-oncology opinion can be useful when patients are considering a different radiation technology, a complex treatment plan or a major cancer-treatment decision.

A second opinion may review:

• Cancer diagnosis
• Stage
• Tumour location
• Pathology
• Molecular findings
• Previous treatment
• Previous radiation dose
• Proposed radiation technique
• Treatment intent
• Number of radiation sessions
• Expected treatment duration
• Need for systemic treatment
• Possible treatment alternatives

Patients should provide the complete imaging, pathology and previous radiation records.

For patients who have previously received radiation, the previous treatment plan and radiation dose distribution may be particularly important when assessing whether additional radiation is feasible.

Q8 · What Cancer and Radiotherapy Records Should Canadian Patients Take Home?

Patients should obtain complete treatment documentation before returning to Canada.

This may include

• Final diagnosis
• Histopathology
• Immunohistochemistry
• Molecular/genetic reports
• Staging information
• Treatment plan
• Radiation treatment summary
• Total radiation dose
• Number of fractions
• Treatment technique
• Treatment dates
• Target areas
• Relevant dose information
• Brachytherapy records where applicable
• Proton-treatment records where applicable
• Chemotherapy records
• Immunotherapy records
• Targeted-therapy records
• Imaging reports
• Copies of imaging
• Follow-up recommendations
• Medication list Patients should keep both printed and electronic copies.

These records can help Canadian oncologists understand exactly what treatment has been delivered and plan subsequent care appropriately.

Q9 · Are Advanced and Technology-Assisted Cancer Treatments Available in India?

Selected Indian cancer centres offer advanced radiation and modern cancer-treatment technologies.

These may include

• IMRT
• IGRT
• VMAT
• SRS
• SRT
• SBRT
• Brachytherapy
• Advanced linear accelerators
• Image-guided treatment
• Proton therapy
• Advanced PET-CT
• Molecular cancer testing
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Precision oncology
• Robotic cancer surgery
• Multidisciplinary tumour-board planning

For example, ACTREC in Navi Mumbai describes radiation services including IMRT, IGRT and stereotactic techniques and has proton-beam capability.

The availability of a technology does not mean it is appropriate for every patient. Treatment should be selected according to the cancer diagnosis, anatomy, stage, previous treatment and clinical indication.

Q10 · Does Canadian Public Health Insurance or Travel Insurance Cover Radiotherapy in India?

Canadian patients should not assume that planned radiotherapy or cancer treatment in India will be covered by provincial or territorial public health insurance.

Canadian healthcare coverage is administered through provincial and territorial plans. Coverage for planned treatment outside Canada can be subject to specific eligibility requirements and, in some circumstances, prior approval.

Patients should contact their provincial or territorial health plan before making arrangements and ask specifically about:

• Planned cancer treatment outside Canada
• Radiotherapy
• Proton therapy
• Systemic cancer treatment
• Hospital treatment
• Specialist consultations
• Diagnostic testing
• Any requirement for prior approval

Travel Insurance

Patients should not assume that ordinary travel insurance will cover planned cancer treatment overseas.

The Government of Canada specifically advises medical-tourism patients to research coverage carefully and obtain appropriate insurance.

Ask the insurer about:

• Existing cancer diagnosis
• Pre-existing conditions
• Planned radiotherapy
• Planned cancer treatment
• Treatment complications
• Emergency hospitalisation
• Medical evacuation
• Repatriation
• Additional accommodation
• Flight changes Obtain written confirmation of coverage wherever possible.

Q11 · Can Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatments Be Combined or Staged During the Same Trip?

Cancer treatment often involves more than one treatment modality.

Depending on the cancer, treatment may include:

Radiation + Chemotherapy

Some cancers are treated with chemotherapy and radiation together or in a planned sequence.

Radiation + Surgery

Radiotherapy may be given before or after surgery depending on the cancer and treatment objective.

Radiation + Immunotherapy

Selected cancers may be treated using radiation together with systemic immunotherapy.

Radiation + Targeted Therapy

Targeted medicines may be incorporated into a treatment plan when appropriate for the patient's cancer.

Staged Treatment

Treatment may need to be delivered over several weeks or months rather than during one short visit.

Canadian patients should not shorten or rearrange a medically recommended cancer-treatment schedule solely to reduce travel time.

The sequence and timing should be decided by the treating oncology team.

Q12 · What About Medical Visa, Flights and Hospital Admission for Radiotherapy?

Canadian patients should complete medical planning before travelling.

Before Travel

Prepare

• Valid Canadian passport
• Appropriate Indian medical visa or applicable travel authorisation
• Medical records
• Biopsy and pathology reports
• Imaging reports and images
• Previous radiation records
• Current medication list
• Hospital appointment confirmation
• Travel insurance information
• Emergency contact information

Flights Patients undergoing cancer treatment should discuss travel fitness with their Canadian healthcare provider before booking flights.

Travel planning may need to consider:

• Fatigue
• Anaemia
• Infection risk
• Recent surgery
• Recent chemotherapy
• Blood-clot risk
• Mobility limitations
• Oxygen requirements where applicable

Hospital Admission

After arrival, the patient may undergo:

• Radiation-oncology consultation
• Medical-oncology consultation where required
• Pathology review
• Imaging review
• Blood tests
• Treatment simulation
• CT simulation
• Additional staging or diagnostic tests
• Radiation treatment planning

The final treatment plan should be confirmed after specialist assessment.

Q13 · How Long Should Canadian Patients Stay in India for Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatment?

The duration of stay varies substantially depending on the treatment technology and cancer type.

Approximate planning periods may include:

• Initial consultation and treatment planning: 3–7 days
• Conventional radiotherapy: several weeks, depending on the number of fractions
• IMRT/IGRT/VMAT: several weeks, depending on the prescribed treatment schedule
• SRS/SRT/SBRT: a few treatment sessions to several sessions, depending on the indication
• Brachytherapy: may require one or more procedures
• Proton therapy: several weeks in some treatment plans
• Combined chemoradiation: several weeks or longer
• Complex cancer treatment: potentially several weeks or months

These are planning ranges and should not be treated as fixed medical timelines.

Fitness to Fly

Before returning to Canada, patients should discuss:

• Treatment completion
• Blood counts
• Fatigue
• Infection risk
• Medication requirements
• Recent procedures
• Side effects
• Follow-up appointments
• Need for further treatment

Patients should avoid booking a non-changeable return flight before the treating team confirms a realistic travel plan.

Q14 · What Follow-Up and Rehabilitation Are Needed After Returning to Canada?

Radiotherapy and modern cancer treatment require continued follow-up after returning to Canada.

Depending on the cancer and treatment, follow-up may include:

• Radiation-oncology review
• Medical-oncology follow-up
• Surgical-oncology follow-up
• Blood tests
• CT/MRI/PET-CT where clinically indicated
• Cancer surveillance
• Medication management
• Nutritional support
• Physiotherapy
• Rehabilitation
• Management of treatment-related side effects
• Monitoring for late radiation effects

Canadian healthcare professionals should receive the patient's complete treatment documentation.

Patients should provide:

• Radiation treatment summary
• Radiation dose and fractionation
• Treatment technique
• Imaging
• Pathology
• Chemotherapy records
• Immunotherapy or targeted-therapy records
• Medication list
• Follow-up recommendations

This can support continuity of care and help avoid unnecessary duplication of treatment records or investigations.

Q15 · Should Canadian Patients Choose Radiotherapy and Modern Cancer Treatment in Canada or India?

There is no universal answer. The decision should be based on medical suitability, cancer type and stage, treatment urgency, radiation technology, specialist expertise, total cost, insurance, travel risks and long-term follow-up.

Canada May Be Preferable When

• The cancer requires urgent treatment
• The Canadian oncology team recommends immediate treatment
• Local treatment is readily available
• The patient requires close monitoring
• The patient is not medically fit for long-distance travel
• Continuity with the existing Canadian oncology team is important

India May Be Considered When

• The patient is medically suitable for planned international travel
• The required radiation or cancer treatment is available
• A suitable radiation oncologist and cancer centre have been identified
• The patient has received a detailed medical opinion
• A written treatment estimate has been obtained
• The total cost remains acceptable after flights, accommodation, visa and insurance
• A clear follow-up plan can be established in Canada

Before Making the Final Decision

Canadian patients should compare:

• Cancer type and stage
• Treatment objective
• Pathology and molecular findings
• Recommended radiation technique
• Radiation oncologist expertise
• Hospital and radiation facilities
• Linear-accelerator technology
• Availability of proton therapy where clinically appropriate
• Systemic treatment requirements
• Expected number of treatment sessions
• Total treatment duration
• Complete treatment cost
• Flights and accommodation
• Insurance coverage
• Recovery requirements
• Follow-up arrangements in Canada

The final decision should be made together with the patient's Canadian healthcare professional and the Indian oncology team—not on price or technology alone.