Bone Tumor Surgery Cost in India

Bone tumor surgery is a critical procedure that can be life-saving for individuals diagnosed with both benign and malignant bone tumors. India has become a sought-after destination for advanced medical treatments, offering state-of-the-art facilities, highly skilled surgeons, and cost-effective care. Patients from across the globe seek bone tumor surgery in India due to its combination of affordability and high-quality medical care. Bone tumor surgery cost in India ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 20,000.

In this blog, we will explore the symptoms, types, risk factors and treatment of bone tumors. We will also understand the cost of bone tumor surgery in India to help patients make informed decisions while considering the financial aspects of their treatment journey.

What are Bone Tumors?

Bone tumors, or osteosarcoma, can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). They can significantly affect a person’s health, mobility, and overall quality of life. Bone tumors occur when cells in the bone grow uncontrollably, forming a mass or lesion. Additionally, these tumors may originate in the bone (primary bone tumors) or spread from other parts of the body (secondary or metastatic bone tumors). 

Bone tumors can be a serious health concern, affecting people of all ages. These growths can develop in any bone in the body, including the head, hands, legs, and chest. 

• Head bone tumors (skull tumors) can cause headaches, vision problems, or hearing loss.
• Tumors on the hand can often be identified by pain, swelling, or a lump. 
• Chest bone tumors, or mediastinal tumors, can cause chest pain, difficulty breathing, or a persistent cough. 
• Leg tumors can manifest as pain, swelling, or weakness in the affected limb. 

If you notice any of these signs, seeking medical attention is important. Treatment often requires surgical intervention, which plays a crucial role in removing the tumor and preserving bone function.

What are the Symptoms of Bone Tumors?

The symptoms of bone tumors can vary based on the tumor’s type, size, and location. In the early stages, some bone tumors may not cause any noticeable symptoms, but as the tumor grows, it can lead to various signs:

• Bone pain
• Swelling or lump
• Fractures
• Limited mobility
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Other symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and malaise (feeling unwell)

Understanding the symptoms and risk factors can help in early detection and timely treatment, which is crucial for a better prognosis.

What are the Types of Bone Tumors?

Bone tumors are classified based on their behavior (benign or malignant) and their origin. Common types include:

Benign Bone Tumors

• Osteochondroma: A common benign tumor that occurs near the growth plates in adolescents and young adults.
• Giant Cell Tumor: Usually benign but can be aggressive and occur in long bones.
• Osteoid Osteoma: Small, painful benign tumors usually found in long bones.

Malignant Bone Tumors

• Osteosarcoma: The most common bone cancer, typically affecting children and young adults, often around the knee.
• Chondrosarcoma: develops in cartilage cells and tends to affect older adults.
• Ewing’s sarcoma: affects children and young adults, commonly arising in the pelvis, leg, or arm bones.

For patients seeking treatment, bone tumor surgery cost in India is significantly lower than in many other countries, making it a popular destination for medical tourism. The cost can range depending on the type of tumor and the required surgical procedure, such as curettage and bone grafting, wide resection, or limb-sparing surgery.

What are the Causes of Bone Tumors?

The exact cause of bone tumors is not always known, but a combination of genetic, environmental, and biological factors may contribute. Some potential causes include:

• Genetic Mutations
• Inherited Genetic Conditions such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome
• Previous Injury or Trauma
• Radiation Exposure
• Bone Diseases such as  Paget’s disease

What are the risk factors for bone tumors?

While the exact cause of bone tumors is often unknown, several factors can increase the risk of developing these tumors:

• Age: Certain types of bone tumors, such as osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma, are more common in children, adolescents, and young adults, typically during periods of rapid growth. Other types, such as chondrosarcoma, are more common in older adults.
• Genetic Conditions: Some genetic syndromes are linked to an increased risk of bone tumors, including:

• • Li-Fraumeni Syndrome: A rare inherited disorder that predisposes individuals to multiple types of cancer.
  • Hereditary Retinoblastoma: Children with this eye cancer have a higher risk of developing osteosarcoma.
  • Multiple Exostoses Syndrome: A genetic disorder that causes benign bone tumors (osteochondromas).
• Radiation Exposure: Exposure to high doses of radiation, either through previous radiation therapy for other cancers or environmental exposure, may increase the risk of developing bone tumors later in life.
• Previous Cancer Treatment: Survivors of childhood cancer, especially those who received chemotherapy or radiation therapy, are at a higher risk of developing secondary bone cancer later.
• Paget’s Disease of Bone: This condition affects older adults and involves abnormal bone remodeling. So, people with Paget’s disease are at an increased risk of developing osteosarcoma.
• Bone Infections: Chronic bone infections, although rare, can increase the risk of developing tumors in the affected area.
• Metal Implants: 

In some cases, patients with metal implants used to repair previous fractures or defects may develop sarcomas near the implanted material, though this is uncommon.

Bone tumors can arise due to a variety of factors, ranging from genetic predispositions to environmental exposures. If you or a loved one are experiencing persistent bone pain or swelling, consulting with a healthcare professional for further evaluation is essential.

How is a bone tumor diagnosed?

Accurate diagnosis is crucial to determining the appropriate treatment. Diagnostic procedures include:

• Symptoms: The diagnosis process often begins when a person notices symptoms such as persistent pain in a bone, swelling, or an unusual lump. Some may also experience fractures without significant injury.
• Consultation: The next step is to visit a doctor. The doctor will ask about the symptoms and medical history and may perform a physical examination to check for swelling or tenderness.
• Imaging Tests: If a bone tumor is suspected, the doctor will order imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. These tests help visualize the bone structure and any abnormal growths.
• Biopsy: To confirm the presence of a tumor and determine whether it is benign (non-cancer) or malignant (cancer), a biopsy is performed. This involves taking a small sample of the tumor tissue for analysis.
• Pathology Report: A pathologist examines the biopsy sample under a microscope. The report will provide detailed information about the type of tumor, which helps in deciding the best treatment options.
• Treatment Planning: Based on the diagnosis, the doctor will recommend a treatment plan, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy tailored to the individual’s needs.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Bone Tumor Treatment?

To identify tumors, doctors first evaluate the patient’s medical history, evaluate all symptoms, and perform a physical examination. Then, a customized treatment plan is developed based on each instance. Treatment options for bone tumors include both non-surgical and surgical approaches.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Benign Tumors

Benign tumors must be closely watched to see whether their size, shape, or color change. During this time, routine follow-up visits with the oncologist are recommended. While some tumors go away with time, some need to be treated with medication.

Malignant Tumors

A multidisciplinary team of medical professionals is needed to treat bone cancer. The team would include a medical oncologist, an orthopedic oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and a pathologist. The goal of the treatment is to eliminate cancer while preserving the bodily functions that the tumor has disrupted.

Malignant tumor treatment is influenced by several variables, including the cancer’s size, type, and stage. If the tumor is localized, the cancer cells are restricted to that location. However, if the cancer has spread, treatment and recovery may become more difficult.

For the treatment of malignant bone tumors, doctors prefer to employ combination therapies like these:

• Radiation therapy: High-energy X-rays shrink and kill tumor cells but this does not affect other regions of the body. It solely treats cancer in the region where the X-ray beam lands.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment used to eradicate tumor cells that have spread to the bloodstream and are not visible on scans or tests. So it is typically applied in cases where the metastatic risk of malignant tumors is very high. Chemotherapy is typically given intravenously or as a pill or capsule to be consumed.

Surgery is the most common method used to remove malignant tumors. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are frequently used in conjunction to treat cancer.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is typically recommended for bone tumors that are malignant, cause symptoms, or threaten the structural integrity of the bone. The primary goals of bone tumor surgery in India include:

• Removing the tumor completely
• Preserving as much healthy bone and tissue as possible
• Restoring function and mobility

Benign tumors may not always require surgery unless they are growing, causing pain, or leading to complications like fractures. The type of surgery depends on the tumor’s size, location, and nature.

Surgical options include:

Curettage and Bone Grafting

For benign tumors, surgeons may perform curettage, scraping out the tumor from the bone cavity. Afterward, the cavity is filled with bone grafts or synthetic materials to provide structural support.

Wide Resection

For malignant tumors, wide resection involves removing the tumor along with a margin of healthy bone and tissue. This approach minimizes the risk of leaving behind cancerous cells.

Limb-Sparing Surgery

In cases where the tumor affects the limbs, surgeons strive to remove the tumor while preserving as much of the limb as possible. The removed bone may be replaced with bone grafts, metal implants, or prosthetics.

Amputation

Although less common today, amputation may be necessary if the tumor has extensively spread or if limb-sparing surgery isn’t feasible. Advances in prosthetics and rehabilitation help patients regain mobility after amputation.

Reconstructive Surgery

After tumor removal, reconstructive surgery may be required to restore the function and appearance of the affected area. This could involve bone grafts, metal rods, or artificial joints.

Send your queries to EdhaCare and we will get you an estimate of bone tumor surgery cost in India from the top Indian hospitals.

Risks and Complications of Bone Tumor Surgery

Like any surgical procedure, bone tumor surgery carries risks. These may include:

• Infection
• Blood loss
• Nerve or blood vessel damage
• Recurrence of the tumor
• Limited mobility or function
• Need for future surgeries (especially in reconstructive cases)

The experience and expertise of the surgical team play a significant role in minimizing these risks.

What is the Cost of Bone Tumor Surgery in India?

Bone tumor surgery cost in India ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 20,000. Surgery in India is more affordable as compared to Western nations, making India a preferred location for bone tumor surgery.

The cost of bone tumor surgery in India in comparison with other countries is mentioned in the table below:

	Curettage and Bone Grafting	Wide Resection	Limb-Sparing Surgery	Amputation	Reconstructive Surgery
India	USD 3,000 – USD 6,000	USD 5,000 – USD 10,000	USD 7,000 – USD 15,000	USD 3,000 – USD 8,000	USD 10,000 – USD 20,000
Turkey	USD 4,000 – USD 7,000	USD 6,000 – USD 12,000	USD 8,000 – USD 18,000	USD 4,000 – USD 10,000	USD 12,000 – USD 22,000
USA	USD 15,000 – USD 30,000	USD 20,000 – USD 40,000	USD 30,000 – USD 60,000	USD 10,000 – USD 25,000	USD 40,000 – USD 80,000
Germany	USD 12,000 – USD 25,000	USD 15,000 – USD 35,000	USD 20,000 – USD 50,000	USD 8,000 – USD 20,000	USD 30,000 – USD 60,000

The cost of bone tumor surgery in India can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the type of tumor, the complexity of the procedure, the hospital chosen, and the surgeon’s experience. Send your queries to EdhaCare if you want to get treatment in India for bone tumors.

Recovery and Rehabilitation After Bone Tumor Surgery

Recovery after bone tumor surgery in India can vary based on the complexity of the procedure. Post-surgery, patients may experience swelling, pain, and limited mobility. A comprehensive rehabilitation plan, often including physical therapy, helps patients regain strength, mobility, and independence.

• Hospital Stay: Patients may need to stay in the hospital for a few days to weeks, depending on the surgery’s complexity.
• Physical Therapy: Regular physical therapy sessions are crucial to restore movement, especially in limb-sparing surgeries.
• Pain Management: Medications, including pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, are prescribed to control post-surgical discomfort.

Best Hospitals in India for Bone Tumor Surgery

Some of the best hospitals in India providing surgery for bone tumors are listed below:

1. Apollo Hospital
2. Manipal Hospital
3. Max Hospital
4. Fortis Hospital
5. Global Hospital Chennai

These hospitals use open, minimally invasive, or robotic surgery techniques for faster recovery. They also have a computer navigation system for various surgical procedures, including bone tumor resection.

Conclusion

Bone tumor surgery in India is a life-saving intervention for many individuals, especially those with malignant tumors. Early diagnosis, appropriate surgical intervention, and postoperative care are key to ensuring the best outcomes. With continuous advances in surgical techniques and supportive therapies, many patients can regain function and lead fulfilling lives after bone tumor surgery in India. 

If you or a loved one is facing a bone tumor diagnosis, send your queries to EdhaCare. We will connect you with the top hospitals in India to explore all surgical and non-surgical options available.

FAQs

Can a bone tumor be removed?

Yes, many bone tumors can be removed through surgery. The type and size of the tumor, as well as its location, will determine the specific surgical approach.

Is bone cancer 100% curable?

Not always. While some types of bone cancer, especially when caught early, can be cured, the overall curability rate depends on factors like the type of cancer, its stage, and the effectiveness of the treatment.

Can I live 10 years with bone cancer?

It’s possible. The length of survival with bone cancer varies greatly depending on factors like the type of cancer, its stage, and the effectiveness of the treatment. Some individuals may live for many years or even decades with bone cancer, while others may face shorter survival times.

Does the tumor cause pain?

Often, yes. Bone tumors can cause pain, especially as they grow and pressure surrounding tissues. The intensity of pain can vary depending on the tumor’s location and size.

Does bone cancer spread fast?

The rate of spread varies. Some types of bone cancer, like osteosarcoma, are more likely to spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). However, the speed of spread can also depend on factors like the cancer stage and individual circumstances.

What is the final stage of bone cancer?

The final stage of bone cancer is typically when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This is often referred to as metastatic bone cancer. At this stage, the cancer is generally considered incurable, but treatment can help manage symptoms and prolong survival.