Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy- Best Doctors, Hospitals & Cost of Treatment in India

Treatment overview

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an advanced, non-invasive form of external beam radiation that delivers a high dose of radiation to a small, precisely defined tumour in just one to five sessions, typically completed within one to two weeks. Unlike conventional radiotherapy — which uses many small doses spread over several weeks — SBRT uses a few very large doses aimed with sub-millimetre accuracy, so healthy tissue around the tumour receives only a fraction of the dose. It is used for early-stage lung, liver, prostate, spine, kidney, and adrenal tumours, as well as for patients with a limited number of metastases (oligometastatic disease), particularly when surgery is not suitable. Each session lasts 30 to 60 minutes, most of it spent on positioning and imaging; the actual radiation delivery is shorter. Patients are usually able to return to their accommodation the same day.

Comprehensive Investigations

Estimated cost: ~$500 – $1,000

Typical tests for this treatment: CT simulation (treatment planning scan), 4D CT scan (for tumours near the lung or diaphragm — motion mapping), MRI or PET-CT scan for tumour contouring (if not recent), CBC (complete blood count), Liver function tests, Kidney function tests, Pulmonary function test (for lung SBRT), Radiation oncologist consultation and treatment plan review. Done in India before treatment begins. Cost varies with case complexity.

Treatment / Procedure estimate

Estimated cost in India: $3,500 – $10,000

Treatment Duration

Treatment duration in India: ~2 weeks (~5 hospital visit days across the full span)

Usually Included in Treatment Package

• Radiation oncologist consultations and treatment planning
• CT simulation and custom immobilisation device fabrication
• All SBRT treatment sessions (typically 3 to 5 fractions)
• Image-guided positioning verification at each session (IGRT)
• Medical physicist quality assurance checks
• Weekly or post-treatment oncologist review
• Supportive medications during the treatment course

Usually Not Included

• Travel and accommodation
• Visa processing and travel insurance
• Fiducial marker placement (if required for tumour tracking — billed separately)
• Concurrent chemotherapy or immunotherapy drugs (if part of combined protocol)
• Additional imaging beyond protocol (PET-CT, MRI) during or after treatment
• Hospitalization for radiation toxicity or complications