10 Best Cancer Hospitals in Kolkata - Updated 2023

India is at par with developed nations when it comes to cancer treatment. The country has experienced oncologists and cutting-edge technology to cater to the needs of several cancer patients from across the world. The medical facilities have a stellar reputation and are amongst the best cancer hospitals in the world.
 

Thousands of patients from India and abroad avail satisfied cancer treatment in India every year. It is one of the leading medical destinations that is treating all forms of cancer. 

There are many hospitals in India that provide free cancer treatment, including chemotherapy to people who are not financially stable. The Government of India has launched several schemes and initiatives to help people from poor economic backgrounds in their cancer treatment. The chemotherapy cost in Indian government hospitals is much lower than in private institutions. 

Given below are a few hospitals that offer free chemotherapy in India:

• Regional Cancer Center, Thiruvananthapuram
• TATA Memorial Hospital, Mumbai
• Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore

The success rate of treatment for cancer depends on the stage of the cancer at which the patient undergoes treatment. According to Onco Surgeon and Vice Chairman of Asian Cancer Institute Ramakant Deshpande, patients who approach medical help in the first stage of cancer most often have an 85% chance of cure.

Likewise, many Indian and international patients have received treatment for cancer in India. The country has ample skilled oncologists, is proficient in medical science and treatment costs are also very affordable. All these forces combined make India a leading destination to cure cancer. 

The types of urological cancers are:

• Bladder cancer: This type of cancer sees abnormal cell growth along the line of the urinary bladder or the small sac that collects urine for excretion.
• Renal (kidney) cancer: This type of cancer forms  in the small tubes that clean the blood of the kidneys. This rare form of cancer occurs in the part of the kidney that connects to the bladder.
• Testicular cancer: This is another rare form of cancer that occurs in either of the testicles.
• Penile Cancer: This cancer is rare and affects the penis - the reproductive organ of men.
• Urethral cancer: This type of cancer occurs in the urethra, the tube that conducts urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Urethral cancer is rare, and it occurs more often in men than in women.

Diagnosing bladder cancer

• Cystoscopy
• Biopsy
• Urine Cytology
• Imaging Test

Diagnosing kidney cancer

• Blood and urine tests
• Imaging tests
• Biopsy

Diagnosing testicular cancer

• Blood tests
• Testicular ultrasound
• Surgery to remove a testicle (radical inguinal orchiectomy)

Diagnosing penile cancer

• Biopsy

Diagnosing urethral cancer

• Blood and urine tests
• Cystoscopy
• CT scan
• Biopsy

The treatment options available for urological cancer are:

Brachytherapy: A radiation therapy for prostate cancer where  tiny radiation seeds are put directly into the prostate tissue to deliver low doses of radiation over time. 

Prostatectomy: Surgery that involves removal of the prostate gland. The different techniques used are:

• Robotic prostatectomy
• Retropubic surgery
• Perineal surgery

Hormone therapy: A prostate cancer treatment option that is used to reduce the size of the tumour prior to radiation. The 3 options of hormone therapy are:

• Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonists block the messages that tell the testicles to make testosterone.
• Anti-androgens keep testosterone away from reaching the cancer cells.
• Removal of both the testicles through a surgery called orchiectomy lowers the testosterone levels.

Radical inguinal orchiectomy: Used to treat testicular cancer, this is a surgical process that removes one testicle.

Penectomy (partial or total): This treatment procedure is used in some stages of penile cancer, if the cancer has spread deep into the penis. A partial penectomy removes the end of the penis while total penectomy involves removing the entire penis.

Nephrectomy: Used to treat renal or kidney cancer, this is a surgical procedure that removes a kidney, some surrounding tissue and the lymph nodes that are closest to the affected kidney. 

Nephron-sparing surgery: Otherwise known as partial nephrectomy, this is a surgical procedure that aims to remove the tumor and some healthy tissue surrounding the tumor (the margin), leaving some kidney behind.

Intravesical immunotherapy: This is used to treat early-stage bladder cancer and involves injecting a liquid drug into the area affected by cancer.

Transurethral resection (TUR): This is a surgical procedure done to remove bladder cancer that is in the inner layers of the bladder and hasn't spread. The process involves a loop-shaped wire that burns away cancer cells with an electric current. 

Radical cystectomy: A surgical procedure performed to remove the bladder and the surrounding lymph nodes when cancer has attacked the bladder wall and possibly surrounding lymph nodes and organs. 

Segmental cystectomy: Otherwise known as a partial cystectomy, this surgery involves removal of only the part of the bladder that contains cancer cells.

The above cited treatment procedures is a partial list of cancer treatments. Other treatments may be available to you, depending on your condition.

A genetic mutation (change) in the stomach cells is the major cause of stomach cancer, which causes the cells to grow fast and eventually form tumors. The following are risk factors that might raise a person's chances of developing stomach cancer:

• Family background
• Smoking
• Overweight from Smoking
• Human pathogen (H. gastric) bacterium disease
• A salt-heavy diet
• A diet that is lacking in fruits and veggies

• Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are the major treatments for stomach cancer. You might get one or a combination of these treatments.
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• You could need chemotherapy before surgery if it's suggested. If the tumor is in the upper region of your stomach, including the oesophagus-stomach junction, you may need radiation before surgery.
• Chemotherapy and radiation are usually used after surgery.
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• The primary goal of treatment is to eradicate the tumor and any other cancerous cells in your body as completely as possible. A cure is believed to be achievable in 20 to 30 percent of stomach cancer patients.