Radical Cystectomy Cost in India

The cost of radical cystectomy in India typically ranges from $500 to $6,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Radical cystectomy is major surgery to remove the whole bladder, most often to treat bladder cancer. A new way for urine to leave the body is created at the same operation. The cost usually depends on:

• Surgical approach: open, keyhole (laparoscopic) or robotic-assisted surgery.
• Type of urinary diversion: a urostomy (ileal conduit) or a new bladder made from bowel.
• Lymph node removal: pelvic lymph nodes are usually removed as well.
• Hospital stay: often about a week, sometimes longer.

Radical cystectomy is a complex cancer operation. Ask for a quote that covers the diversion, hospital stay and any intensive care.

Cambridge University Hospitals explains that in men the bladder, prostate, seminal vesicles and pelvic lymph nodes are removed, and sometimes the urethra. In women, the operation usually also involves removing nearby organs such as the womb, and the details depend on the cancer.

Other treatments for bladder cancer include treatment inside the bladder, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The choice depends on the stage and type of cancer.

After the bladder is removed, urine needs a new route out of the body:

• Ileal conduit (urostomy): a short piece of small bowel is brought out through the tummy wall as a stoma, and urine drains into a bag.
• New bladder (neobladder): a pouch is made from bowel and joined to the urethra, in suitable patients.
• Continent pouch: an internal pouch emptied with a catheter through a small opening.

Your surgeon and stoma nurse will explain which options suit you.

Cambridge University Hospitals reports a typical hospital stay of about seven nights. Driving and heavy lifting are usually possible after about six weeks, and full recovery takes at least three to six months.

The leaflet lists these effects and risks:

• Erectile dysfunction: a high risk in men because nearby nerves are often affected.
• Infertility: men can no longer ejaculate or father children naturally.
• Long-term bowel problems: in about 5 to 10 in 100 patients.
• Heart, lung and clot problems: between 1 in 10 and 1 in 50 patients.
• Wound infection, hernia and reduced kidney function over time: possible.