Guide to Gastrointestinal surgery Cost in India 

Overview 

The malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and the accessory organs of digestion come under gastrointestinal cancer. The accessory organs of digestion are the esophagus, stomach, biliary system, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus as well.

The symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer can be done according to the organs affected. Your patient may be suffering from difficulty in swallowing or defecating, abnormal bleeding, or other associated problems. It is also not surprising that the cancer of the GI tract and accessory organs of digestion can cause more deaths than cancer of any other system of the body.

If you are looking for treatment for GI tract cancer in India, you can connect with Al Afiya Medi Tour. We will help you reach the best hospitals and doctors in India in addition to the local facilities here. Besides, we will help the patients of Ethiopia to get the treatment at affordable gastrointestinal surgery costs in India.

Cancer of the Upper Gastrointestinal tract

Cancer of the upper GI tract consists of the following:

Esophageal Cancer-

It is the sixth-most-common cancer in the world and affects males three to five times more than females. Many patients with GI tract cancer in Ethiopia majorly suffer from esophageal tract cancer at this time.

Usually, esophageal cancer is detected late. But when your doctor can detect this cancer early, he can provide you a 90% chance of five years of survival.

Stomach Cancer-

Stomach cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the world. It is, unfortunately, the second-highest cause of cancer death globally. It is also known as gastric cancer. Besides, the most common type of gastric cancer is adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic Cancer-

It can be classified under endocrine or non-endocrine tumors. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is ductal adenocarcinoma. It is usually diagnosed at a late stage and also is highly aggressive. 

Liver Cancer-

Prolonged hepatitis B or C infection due to cirrhosis or chronic alcoholism can lead to liver cancer. The common signs and symptoms include yellowing of the skin and eyes or jaundice, itching or pruritus, or cause a buildup of fluid in the abdomen or ascites.

Gallbladder cancer-

Cancer of the gallbladder is mostly a type of adenocarcinomas. They are more common in elderly women. They can cause weight loss, jaundice, and pain in the upper right abdominal region.

Other types of upper GI Cancer-

The other types of upper GI cancers include MALT lymphoma, cancers of the biliary tree including cholangiocarcinoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Cancer of Lower Digestive Tract

Various cancer that comes under the cancer of the lower digestive tract include-

Colorectal Cancer-

It majorly occurs in old age people. The origin can be traced to the secretory cells of the lining of the gut. The major risk factors include diets low in vegetable fiber and high in fat.

When it occurs in young people, it is mainly due to hereditary syndromes. It can comparatively have a better prognosis than other types of GI cancers when your doctor can detect it at an early stage.

Anal Cancer-

The landmark in this cancer is the dentate line, which is located about 1–2 cm from the anal verge. It is because anal cancers located above this line are more likely to be carcinomas. On the other hand, anal cancers located below this line i.e. towards the feet are more likely to be squamous cell carcinomas that tend to ulcerate.

Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor-

 It is a slow-growing form of cancer that affects certain cells in the lining of the stomach and intestines. The cells that it affects produce hormones that further regulate digestive juices and muscles that move food through the stomach and intestines. It mostly affects the appendix, small intestine, or rectum.

Symptoms of Cancer

The symptoms may vary according to the area in which cancer cells are present.

During the early stage, the common symptoms include indigestion and stomach discomfort, a bloated feeling after eating, mild nausea, loss of appetite, and heartburn.

In the advanced stages of gastric cancer, you can experience various signs and symptoms. These include blood in your stool, vomiting, unintentional weight loss, pain in your stomach, yellowing of your eyes and skin, build-up of fluid in your abdomen, and difficulty in swallowing and passing stool.

How will your doctor diagnose GI Tract cancer in India?

Here is the list of examinations that your doctors in India will use to diagnose your GI tract cancer:

Complete health history and physical examination: 

Your doctor will examine your body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. He will also enquire about habits and past illnesses and the treatments that you have taken. Moreover, he will enquire about your family history as well.

Studies of Blood Chemistry: 

Your doctor will advise you to get your blood sample checked. It will help in measuring the amounts of certain substances that your organs and tissues in your body release in your blood. The change in the values of these substances can indicate GI tract cancer.

Complete Blood Count: 

Your doctor will advise CBC to check the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It helps in checking hemoglobin additionally.

Upper Endoscopy: 

It helps your doctor look inside your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum and to check if any abnormal area exists there. In this case, an endoscope or a thin, lighted tube goes inside your esophagus through the mouth and throat. 

Barium Swallow: 

In this procedure, your doctor will ask you to swallow barium liquid. The liquid flows through your esophagus and into your stomach. Then, the professionals take X-rays to look for abnormal areas.

CT scan: 

It takes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside your body from different angles that are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye is either injected through a vein or swallowed by the patient to help visualize organs and tissues.

Biopsy: 

It is usually done during endoscopy. Further, the medical professional removes cells or tissues to view them under a microscope. He checks for signs of cancer

Treatment of Gastrointestinal Cancer for Ethiopian patients in India

The treatment of GI cancer mostly depends on the location of cancer. It also depends on the stage of cancer. 

The common types of treatment include-

Surgery–

It can be done in all stages of gastric cancer. Your doctor may follow a standard procedure of a subtotal gastrectomy or a total gastrectomy.

Subtotal gastrectomy includes the removal of the part of the stomach that has cancer. It also includes the removal of nearby lymph nodes along with the parts of organs that surround cancer. The doctor may also remove your spleen.

Total gastrectomy includes the removal of the entire stomach, nearby lymph nodes, and parts of your esophagus, small intestine, and other tissues near the tumor. In this case, as well, your doctor can remove your spleen.

Endoscopic mucosal resection-

It is a procedure in which your doctor uses an endoscope to remove early-stage cancerous cells and pancreatic growths from the lining of your digestive tract without performing actual surgery.

Chemotherapy-

It uses a combination of drugs to limit cancer by either killing the cancerous cells or stopping their division.

Radiation Therapy-

In this therapy, your doctor uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiations to kill cancer cells. Otherwise, these radiations can limit the division of cancerous cells in your body.

Chemoradiation-

In this, your oncologist will use a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to increase the effects of both. Also, the choice will be according to the stage of your cancer.

Targeted Therapy-

Your doctor will use drugs or other substances to identify and attack specific cancer cells. Targeted therapies are usually less harmful to normal cells than chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Mostly, monoclonal antibodies and multikinase inhibitors are types of targeted therapies that your oncologist chooses for GI tract cancer.

Immunotherapy-

Your oncologist makes use of your immune system to fight cancer in your body. In immunotherapy, your doctor uses substances that are either made by your body or are made in a laboratory. These substances help in boosting, directing, or restoring your body’s natural defenses against your GI tract cancer.

The success of each type of treatment will depend on your general health and the co-existence of any other disease in your body. Further, your family history will also affect the type of treatment that suits your body. The main aim of an oncologist is to limit cancer, cure it if possible, or else provide proper palliation so that you can lead a pain-free life.

Why India is the best destination for GI tract Cancer Treatment for Ethiopian patients?

India is welcoming to each one who comes here for medical emergencies. Further, we can help you get:

1. Affordable cost of treatment for GI tract cancer in India:

India offers the best quality of services in medical emergencies like GI tract cancer in an affordable range. Al Afiya Medi Tour will help you find hospitals with international facilities. We will also take care that despite these facilities of international standards, the cost of treatment for GI tract cancer is comparatively lower than many other countries around the globe. We know you are emotionally and physically suffering and would not like you to go bankrupt.

1. Getting a warm welcome:

Indian culture makes us receptive and warm towards guests. Since Al Afiya Medi Tour is connected with the culture of Ethiopia as well, we will help you get the best taste in your food and nearby accommodation for you and your attendant. The medical facilities are highly receptive as well.

1. Getting easy and smooth air connectivity between Ethiopia and India:

Al Afiya Medi Tour helps you get the airlines that offer the best services. This will assure you a smooth and easy ride because of well-connected air transport from Ethiopia to India. You will have the safest journey each time you have to travel from Ethiopia to India and back.

1. Availability of oncologists and medical staff:

To ensure proper communication with patients, especially in the treatment of medical emergencies like GI tract cancer, doctors will always be available. They will help with fears and complications alike

1. Al Afiya Medi Tour will always assist you:

We can help you in getting a medical tourist visa with your original documents. Besides, we do not promote using fake documents. Fake documents will make you reach the blacklisted people and limit the chances of approval. Moreover, the essential part is that we connect you with the best hospitals and doctors for GI tract cancer.

What is the cost of treatment of GI Tract Cancer in India?

Many factors can influence the cost of treatment of GI tract cancer in India. These include chemotherapy sessions, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy that you need. Moreover, the number of attendants that accompany you will determine the cost. The facilities you and your attendants require can cause variation in the total expenses. You can get food for around 20 dollars each day and accommodation near your hospital for around 50 dollars each day. Further, you shall keep 20 dollars each day as miscellaneous charges.

The cost of endoscopy in India can vary from 200 to 400 USD. The complete treatment price will be according to the number of surgeries you get, the days of hospital stay, and the requirement of additional therapies, tests, and medications to treat your cancer. 

What are the best cancer hospitals in India?

There are many which fall under the category of the best cancer hospitals in India. We will list down some of them here-

• Artemis Hospital
• Manipal Hospital
• BLK Hospital
• Apollo Hospital
• Fortis Hospital
• Max Hospital
• Medanta Hospital
• Yashodha Hospital
• Global Hospital
• Narayana Hospital
• Dhirubhai Cancer Hospital
• Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital
• Jaypee Hospital

However, in case you need to connect with a particular doctor or hospital, Al Afiya Medi Tour will help you in doing so. 

We are proudly transparent and comprehensive in our approach. Besides, we have no hidden charges and contracts. Also, we revert to you at the earliest. Call us at or drop an email at care@alafiyameditour.com