A lump found in the shower, a call-back after a mammogram, a biopsy result read three times over. For many women the hardest weeks are the ones before a plan exists. Breast cancer treatment has changed enormously, and most women today are treated with the aim of cure. This guide explains the steps, the choices and the costs, so the plan comes sooner.
First, the full picture
A treatment plan rests on three things: a biopsy that confirms the cancer, tests on that tissue, and staging. The tissue tests matter enormously. Whether the cancer is hormone-receptor positive (ER and PR) and whether it is HER2 positive decides which medicines will work. Staging — with scans as needed — shows the size of the tumour and whether it has reached the lymph nodes or beyond.
If you already have a biopsy, send the report and ask your hospital for the paraffin blocks and slides: Indian pathologists can review them. A second look sometimes changes the plan. Our US$99 consultation includes two calls, so an oncologist can review your reports and a second specialist can give an opinion.
The treatments, in plain words
- Surgery. Either breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), usually followed by radiotherapy, or mastectomy. For suitable women the two give similar results; the choice is personal as well as medical. Sentinel node biopsy often avoids removing all the armpit lymph nodes.
- Reconstruction. Can be done at the same time as mastectomy or later, with an implant or the woman’s own tissue.
- Chemotherapy. Sometimes given before surgery to shrink the tumour, sometimes after.
- Targeted therapy. For HER2-positive cancer, medicines such as trastuzumab, usually given over about a year.
- Hormone therapy. For hormone-positive cancer, tablets taken for five years or more.
- Radiotherapy. Usually a course of daily sessions over a few weeks.
Two conversations are easy to miss in the rush. Younger women who may want children later should ask about fertility before chemotherapy starts, because some options must happen first. And anyone with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer should ask about genetic testing, which can change both the operation and the advice for relatives.
Not every woman needs every treatment. A good tumour board will explain why each step is — or is not — in your plan.
What it costs
| Stage III | 12,632 |
|---|---|
| Stage II | 8,421 |
| Stage I | 5,263 |
Livasa Hospitals, Mohali — indicative package estimates by stage (27 Feb 2026): stage I ₹1.2–5 lakh, stage II ₹2–8 lakh, stage III ₹4–12 lakh+. Stage IV is priced per year of treatment. Converted at ₹95 per US$. Final quotes come from the treating hospital.
Surgery alone is a small part of the total. Chemotherapy cycles, targeted drugs and radiotherapy sessions add up, and the choice between Indian-made biosimilar medicines and original brands can change the bill considerably. Ask for the plan to be priced step by step. Package prices are per person and exclude flights.
Planning your time in India
Breast cancer treatment runs over months, so families choose between two patterns. Some come for surgery and planning, then continue chemotherapy or radiotherapy at home with a written plan. Others complete the whole course in India, which suits women who lack access at home; our Hoppers long stays start from US$999 a month with three meals.
- Reports and slidesBiopsy report, scans and pathology blocks shared
- Oncologist reviewStage, receptor status and a draft plan
- Arrival and stagingAny missing scans, blood tests, pathology review
- Tumour boardOrder of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy agreed
- Treatment in IndiaSurgery first, or chemotherapy first, as advised
- Hand-over or continueWritten plan for your home oncologist, or the full course here
- Follow-upRegular checks, by video and in person
- 1Delhi airportabout 1 hour by airOpen in Google Maps ↗
- 2Chandigarhcity stay and recoveryOpen in Google Maps ↗
- 3Mohalihospitals in the tricity, 20 minutes awayOpen in Google Maps ↗
- 4Kasaulihill air between cycles, about 1.5 h by roadOpen in Google Maps ↗
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Tap a name to zoom.
Bring someone with you. A sister, a daughter or a close friend can take notes in appointments, sit beside you during chemotherapy and simply keep you company. Hair loss, tiredness and low moods are common during treatment and usually ease afterwards; hospitals in India can arrange wigs, scarves, counselling and diet advice. Ask for them — they are part of good care, not extras.
Questions to ask
- What are my ER, PR and HER2 results, and what do they mean for treatment?
- Am I suitable for breast-conserving surgery?
- Should chemotherapy come before or after surgery?
- Which medicines are biosimilars, and which are original brands?
- Which parts can I safely have at home?
Read our cancer care guide, the story on radiotherapy in India, or book a consultation and send your reports.
Independent research. Figures are quoted from the official and published sources listed below, as they stood when we checked them (October 2026). BookMedTrip is an independent facilitator and is not affiliated with any government body, hospital, charity or organisation named here, and receives no commission from them. If anything here is out of date or inaccurate, please write to care@bookmedtrip.com and we will correct it.
Questions
How much does breast cancer treatment cost in India?
Livasa Hospitals in Mohali estimates ₹1.2–5 lakh for stage I, ₹2–8 lakh for stage II and ₹4–12 lakh or more for stage III (about US$1,300–12,600), including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy as needed.
Is lumpectomy as good as mastectomy?
For suitable women, breast-conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy gives results similar to mastectomy. Your surgeon will explain whether it suits your cancer.
Do I have to stay in India for all my breast cancer treatment?
No. Many women come for surgery and planning, then continue chemotherapy or radiotherapy at home with a written plan.
