Pancreatic Cancer Care: India vs. New Zealand

Pancreatic cancer is a tough one to treat as it is detected late and progresses rapidly. There are many procedures to address this condition, each works differently, has different efficacy and different physiological impact.

How does India’s healthcare system compare to New Zealand’s?

India is investing heavily in oncological research and technology, bringing together institutions, researchers and practitioners. This is leading to scientific breakthroughs that contribute to global health. Pancreatic cancer research in New Zealand has made some progress, but India’s large scale research is ahead in innovation. Continuous financial and infrastructure support to medical research improves patient outcomes, increases survival rates and strengthens public health. India's scientific progress in such fields is praiseworthy; it should earn global recognition too.

What are the different types of treatments for Pancreatic Cancer?

Here’s a brief overview of the different types of pancreatic cancer treatments:

• Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or prevent them from multiplying. It may be used as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, which is the treatment before surgery, or as adjuvant chemotherapy, after surgery, and in the final stages, where it can control symptoms and improve life expectancy. The process ranges from $9,000 - $16,000 in New Zealand and $250 - $300 in India.

• Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy uses high-energy x-rays or particles to destroy cancer cells. EBRT and SBRT are techniques used to reduce the size of tumours and alleviate pain. This process costs between $14,000 - $20,000 in New Zealand and between $6,500 - $11,000 in India.

• Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy blocks specific molecules that drive cancer growth by blocking genetic mutations and signalling pathways. Drugs like erlotinib and PARP inhibitors slow down pancreatic cancer by stopping tumour growth. This process costs between $30,000 - $40,000 in New Zealand and between $10,000 - $15,000 in India.

• Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy engages the body's immune system against cancer. Some research is into checkpoint inhibitors and vaccines that have been shown to be able to recognize and fight pancreatic cancer. It costs in New Zealand approximately between $50,000 to $85,000 and about between $12,000 and $28,000 in India.

• Palliative Care

Palliative Care is provided to improve quality of life for a patient suffering from advanced cancer of the pancreas. Ensure relief from pain and nutritional support, among other supportive measures, to keep the patient comfortable and well. This process charges between $5,000 - $10,000 in New Zealand and between $3,000 - $5,000 in India.

Here are brief descriptions of the main types of pancreatic cancer surgeries:

• Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy)

This surgery removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, gallbladder and bile duct. It’s used for tumours in the head of the pancreas and can be curative if the cancer is localised. However it comes with risks like infection, bleeding and digestive problems. This costs $55,000 - $61,000 in New Zealand and $14,000 - $20,000 in India.

• Distal Pancreatectomy

This procedure removes the body and tail of the pancreas and sometimes the spleen. It’s used for tumours in the body and tail of the pancreas. It preserves the functions of the pancreatic head but may lead to complications of spleen removal like increased risk of infection. This surgery costs $50,000 - $55,000 in New Zealand and $14,000 - $23,000 in India.

• Total Pancreatectomy

This surgery removes the entire pancreas, gallbladder, part of the stomach, small intestine and bile duct. It’s rarely done but used when cancer has spread extensively in the pancreas. Removal of the entire pancreas means lifelong diabetes and requires enzyme replacement therapy. This costs $60,000 - $65,000 in New Zealand, while it costs between $14,000 to $31,000 in India.

Here’s a price comparison table for pancreatic cancer treatments and surgeries in New Zealand and India:

Pancreatic Cancer Research and Survival Rates: New Zealand vs. India

Pancreatic cancer research is happening globally and India is playing a key role in innovation and discovery. While New Zealand has made progress in personalised treatments and genomic analysis, India is fast becoming a leader in cancer research. The pancreatic cancer survival rate in New Zealand is a concern and hence the need for better treatment options. Indian Institute of Technology Madras, IIT-M, has designed a public access cancer genome database to assist drug discovery and research. This initiative is important for understanding the genetic makeup of cancers in India and paving the way for personalized approaches to treatment.

Why Patients Choose India for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Pancreatic cancer treatment in New Zealand is too expensive for many patients. Depending on the hospital, surgeon, type of anaesthesia, post-surgery care and medications, the cost can range from $5,000 to $85,000. Without insurance the cost can go up to $100,000 and access to treatment becomes a big challenge.

India has emerged as a top destination for patients looking for high quality yet affordable medical care for pancreatic cancer. The cost of treatment in India is much lower ranging from $250 to $31,000 depending on the hospital and complexity of the procedure. The lower cost of living and operational expenses in India reduces the medical expense without compromising on the quality of care.

Organisations like Racure Healthcare connect international patients with the top hospitals of India, offering world-class treatment at a fraction of the costs. World-class medical technology and skilled surgeons are available at healthcare facilities such as BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, Fortis Hospital, and Medanta-The Medicity. By doing so, these patients can save thousands of dollars compared to New Zealand. Racure Healthcare helps international patients with complete assistance throughout their medical journey. The total cost of treatment including hospital fees, surgeon charges, anaesthesia, medications, diagnostic tests and post-operative care is much lower in India as compared to many other countries. Racure Healthcare makes the experience hassle free by offering pre-travel tele-consultations, travel planning, accommodation arrangements, hospital and doctor selection, priority appointments and post treatment support. Some of its additional services include visa assistance; help with on-line applications, flight bookings, pickups from the airport, local SIM cards, interpretation services, visa extension, and exchange of currency to facilitate living in India.  Comfortable stays range from $25 to $80 per night, food and drink costs ranging from $15 to $40 per day, and transportation costs between $10 and $30 per day. Including flight tickets and visa costs, the estimated total cost for pancreatic cancer in India would come between $5,000 to $40,000, well within budget while providing the same level of international quality care for patients.