Every year, the World Health Organization reports that over 1.9 million people are diagnosed with colon cancer, with around 930,000 people succumbing to this disease. Unfortunately, more than half of the cases are detected when the cancer has already spread, making treatment more complicated and costly. Naturally, the expenses tied to cancer treatment are a significant worry for most patients. To clarify, AiroMedical’s expert team reached out to leading clinics worldwide to collect data on the costs of diagnosing and treating colon cancer. Let us look at the various factors that determine the cost of colon cancer in different countries.
Factors Impacting Colon Cancer Treatment Costs
The cost varies significantly across countries such as colon cancer treatment in Germany, US, Israel, Turkey, and Switzerland. The total price includes several essential factors that impact how much you must pay for therapy:
- The treatment destination. The cost most often depends on the state’s economic situation, as a result of which the price for the same procedure may differ significantly.
- Selected clinic. Most often, the prices for cancer treatment in public medical institutions are much lower than in private ones.
- The cancer stage and the patient’s general condition. Treating at its early stage is cost-effective as surgery is the only procedure in almost all cases.
- The scope of procedures and services. Hospitals usually consider the cost of the operating room, compensation for surgeons and anesthesiologists, length of hospital stay, and others while determining the surgery price.
Furthermore, certain factors are to consider, such as the patient’s age and pre-existing medical conditions. If the treatment is conducted on an outpatient basis, the patient is only charged for medical procedures, consultations with the doctor, and other related expenses.
Treatment Costs by Stage
Top hospitals overseas offer comprehensive treatment options for colon cancer at any stage. The most common approach is surgery, with minimally invasive techniques, such as endoscopy, preferred whenever possible. Only if it’s not feasible will open surgery be considered.
Doctors may use chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or both to treat cancer. Oncologists use effective chemotherapy protocols and may also include immune drugs to enhance the effectiveness of cytostatics. Patients with late, inoperable-stage cancer receive palliative care, which may include chemotherapy or radiotherapy to decrease the size of the tumor, palliative surgery, and treatment to alleviate symptoms.
Each country has its prices for treatment. So, the cost of some manipulations is slightly higher in the EU countries than in Israel, Turkey, or South Korea.
The best results in colon cancer treatment are demonstrated:
- Germany. The rating of the most suitable medical institutions for treating colon cancer includes University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich, University Hospital Ludwig-Maximilians Munich, and Nordwest Hospital Frankfurt am Main. It is here that the best specialists work, such as Prof. Dr. med. Helmut Friess and Prof. Dr. med. Thomas J. Vogl. Prices are regulated by the government DRG system and average from $19,150 for open surgery and $33,000 for robotic removal of colon parts with reconstruction.
- Israel. Surgery is the main form of treatment, with a preference for minimally invasive techniques such as endoscopy. The typical cost for a colon resection procedure is $22,850.
- Turkey. Turkish cancer centers provide minimally invasive options like robotic surgery to treat colon cancer. These methods can decrease pain, shorten hospital stays, and accelerate healing. The cost for colon cancer starts at $10,040.
- Czechia. Czech oncologists opt for transanal endoscopic microsurgery instead of traditional abdominal surgery. They also use low-toxic chemo drugs as an auxiliary therapy and utilize the best linear accelerators, IGRT and IMRT, to irradiate tumors. On average, the treatment cost is $12,000. The price of the minimally invasive removal, including rectum resection with a DaVinci robot, starts from $9,000.
- Spain. Doctors perform surgical resection, radioembolization, and HIPEC surgery. The average price for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer is $19844. The cost of intestinal resection starts from $20,000. A course of targeted therapy from $9,000.
For more detailed information on treatment prices at hospitals abroad, visit our website, and fill out the feedback form.
The Impact of Insurance on Colon Cancer Treatment Costs
With oncological insurance, patients can access top-notch medical care in hospitals abroad, covered by the insurance company. In some cases, insurance companies even guide patients, helping them create a clear action plan and supporting them throughout the entire process – from diagnosis to the final stages of chemotherapy.
When choosing a doctor, the insurance company selects an oncologist specializing in colon cancer and checks his qualifications and the level of satisfaction of other patients.
Here are the types of medical care you can get:
- Medical consultation with an oncologist and other specialists.
- Diagnostics (including MRI, CT, and PET-CT).
- Surgical and drug treatment.
- Palliative care.
Numerous companies offer onco-psychologist consultations to patients and their loved ones. These consultations play a vital role in helping them manage the stress that comes with treatment and adjust to the new reality. The insurance cost varies based on the patient’s age, health characteristics, and the location they choose for therapy in case an insured event occurs.
Understanding the Cost Breakdown for Colon Cancer Treatment
Typically, the primary expenses of treating colorectal cancer are related to surgery. If a patient requires an operation, it is essential to carefully select an experienced specialist, as their fees will impact the overall cost. Complex surgery with large formations affecting neighboring organs requires the highest prices.
It’s important to note that radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be necessary alongside surgery. In certain situations, patients may receive intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (HIPEC) to eliminate any remaining cancer cells not removed during surgery. The most expensive are modern targeted medicines. There are also unique treatment methods available only in some countries from certain specialists (you need to pay attention to this).
Calculating the cost of colon cancer treatment is always unique and depends on the specific medical circumstances. Therefore, looking for a particular doctor and inquiring about the expenses involved in the cancer treatment you require is crucial.
Additional Resources for Colon Cancer Treatment Costs
To cut down on the expenses of colon cancer treatment overseas, it’s worth contacting a specialized company that provides organizational services for medical treatment abroad. It can result in significant savings since many organizations have built long-term partnerships and exclusive clinic pricing deals.
AiroMedical cooperates with more than 485 clinics worldwide. Our choice was made on them due to their brilliant reputation in the scientific field and narrow fields of medicine. It allows us to find the perfect option that meets your needs and budget efficiently and effectively. You can find the best of these clinics listed on our website.
With our vast experience, we can provide exclusive discounts and offers that can lower the expenses for treatments and services. We can assist you in scheduling an online appointment with an experienced doctor who will assess your situation and the effectiveness of your current treatment plan and provide recommendations accordingly. Please feel free to contact us for more information on how to proceed.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
