Medically Reviewed By: Dr. David Warmflash (MD), Dr. Shelley Janssen (MD)
Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer In India: Cost, Surgeon, Hospitals (Ultimate Guide)
Discover affordable robotic surgery for prostate cancer in India. Find top specialists and the best hospitals. Understand the procedure, success rates, risks, and how to plan your visit to India.
Choose the best Indian oncology care tailored to your needs.
Understanding Alternate Terms
Prostatectomy/Prostate Cancer Surgery: Surgery performed to remove cancer in Prostate (completely or partially).
Radical Prostatectomy: Prostate Cancer Surgery where the surgeon removes the prostate and some tissues around it. Radical Prostatectomy is of 2 types – Open and Laparoscopic.
Open Radical Prostatectomy: Surgery where the surgeon makes a long cut to remove the prostate along with the Cancerous tumour and several tissues around it.
Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Surgery where the Surgeon uses a long thin device called Laparoscope to make small cuts and remove the cancerous part of the prostate. This surgery can be done manually or using robots.
Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Similar to Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, but instead of a surgeon operating directly, a robot assists in surgery. This is the most advanced and effective form of Cancer removal surgery.
Robotic Prostatectomy: Alternate term for Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy or Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer.[1]
What is the Cost of Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India
The cost of Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India is approximately USD $9000 (INR 7,50,000). The cost includes consultation, investigation, surgery, room, medicines, consumables and patient food.
The cost of Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in the US is around USD $29,000[2] and in the UK is USD $37,800.[3]
Be mindful about incomplete costs. Costs between USD$11,000 – USD$15,000 do not include anaesthesia, imaging requirements and consultation from other doctors, which is imperative in the course of the cancer treatment.[4]
| Treatment Option | Cost in India | Cost in US | Cost in UK |
| Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer | $9,000 (INR 7.5 lakh) | $29,000 (INR 32 lakh) | $37,800 (INR 31 lakh) |
*Price is subject to change depending on complexity of the case.
What Does the Cost of Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India Include?
Part of the package which costs USD$ 9000 provides some key elements to the international patients.
- Primary team consultation
- Initial investigation and reports
- Cost of surgery
- Room stay (semi-private or private)
- Routine medicines and consumables
- Patient food
- Companion with the patient
- Airfare
- Special meals
- Stay longer than treatment package
- Special consultation + equipment
- Additional surgery + procedure
- Blood transfusion
For more details visit the Plan your Visit section.
Evolution of Robotic Prostatectomy Leading to Higher Demand and Cost
Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer or Robotic Prostatectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that offers more benefits to the patients as compared to the traditional open surgery.
| Year | Events and information |
| 1982: | 1st nerve sparing prostate surgery performed by Patrick Walsh from John Hopkins University, allowing men to retain sexual and urinary function. Before this 100% men went impotent after Prostate surgery. |
| 2000: | FDA approved first Da Vinci Robot by Intuitive Surgical ltd.[5] |
| 2014 to 2021: | Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer performed per year increased from 83% to 94.8%.[6] |
| 2023: | Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer accounts for 80%-90% of all prostatectomies done in the US.[7] |
| 2023: | 22% increase in usage of Da Vinci Robots to perform Prostate Cancer Surgery, amounting to approx 22,86,000 surgeries worldwide.[8] |
Factors Influencing Cost of Prostate Cancer Surgery
- Patient Diagnosis:
As per an NIH report, more advanced metastatic prostate cancers, increases the diagnostic cost by approximately 4 folds as compared to non-metastatic prostate cancers. The overall cost of treatment will be higher for an advanced cancer stage.[9] - Treatment plan:
For early stage cancer treatment, treatment plan could include medication or few sessions of high beam radiation, whereas, tackling cancer at a later stage, would require treatment plans including advanced surgeries that could prove to be more expensive. - Country:
When it comes to cost, the country you get treated in matters. As per Firstpost, the cost of healthcare in countries like Mexico is 50% less than the US.[10] - Insurance status and coverage:
Insurance coverage is a big benefit in countries such as the US, due to exorbitant healthcare costs. Treatment plans and healthcare packages vary for people with and without insurance.
Alternate Treatments for Prostate Cancer and Its Cost
- Oncologists recommend Robotic Surgery for prostate cancer as compared to Radical Open Surgery, as the robots are more flexible and less invasive.
- Radiation Therapy, along with surgery, is also an option to treat more difficult cancers. Radiation therapy has fewer side effects as compared to surgery due to its non-invasive feature.
- Most Radiation Therapies, such as CyberKnife or IMRT, use photons as the radiation beam. This is more effective than earlier used laser therapy, which delivered a laser beam to destroy the cancer.
- Proton Therapy is newer but costlier than other radiation therapies and requires very special facilities, of which there are relatively few. The treatment uses beams of proton, which generally is powerful compared with X-ray photons.
| Alternate treatments for prostate cancer | Cost In India(USD) approx | Cost In US (USD)approx. |
| Proton Therapy | $80,000-90,000 | $133,220[11] |
| Radiation Therapy | $4000 – $5,400 | $18,000 – $25,000[12] |
| Open Radical Prostatectomy | USD $6,500 | Approximately 11,098[13] |
| Laser Prostatectomy | USD $7,000 | Starts $17,560[14] |
*Price is subject to change.
Plan Your Visit: Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India
Planning a trip to India for your cancer treatment has never been easier.
Find below the step-by-step process of getting treated in India by trusted oncology partners and support staff.
Understanding the patient: Our teams leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the patient's complete medical history is studied. Once the patient connects with us, our team members schedule calls with them. They collect patient history and share it with our doctors to create a treatment plan. The Doctor requires patient information such as:
- Latest medical Lab reports
- Radiology investigation reports
- Latest scans
- Any recent medical history
- Video Consultation: Consult on video with our partner hospitals, which boasts some of the top cancer specialists in India, before you spend a penny and plan your trip. The video consultation provides an accurate way-forward basis your already existing reports.
- Fix an Appointment: Get complimentary opinion from specialists based on initial reports. Find details of the tentative treatment plan and cost of treatment. Once you give a go ahead, the treatment appointment and visit to India is fixed.
- Hassle-free Visa arrangements: Receive visa invitation letter for yourself and a companion from reliable teams assisting in arrangements for your travel. Once your decision to travel is final, the Indian embassy will receive yours and your companions passport details and the invite letter. Visa extension due to extended medical care is also possible.
- Single Point of Contact: Get a single point of contact for all your end-to-end needs, right from admission to discharge. From accommodation to currency exchange, from shopping to language interpreters, the single point of contact will handle everything.
- Reliable Travel Support: Utilise travel arrangement and concierge services for a seamless journey. Benefit from airport pick-up, accommodation assistance, car hire options, and calling card facilities for your comfort and convenience throughout your travel experience.
- No Language Barrier: Get Interpreter services with no additional cost, using both male and female subject matter experts, in case you or your companion do not speak English.
- Convenient Financial Solutions: Meet dedicated relationship managers to streamline your financial transactions. Benefit from trusted in-hospital currency exchange and wire transfer services. Opt flexible payment options including health insurance, self-payment, or embassy sponsorship for seamless transactions.
- Stay connected always: Access the internet 24/7 on a chargeable basis. Use the telephone line by the bed to contact staff and your loved ones. Watch TV and keep yourself entertained.
- Special Food and Beverages: Enjoy the plethora of delicious meals tailored to your dietary needs, including personalised plans from your dietician, post a complete assessment. Indulge in tasty yet nutritious meal options accommodating cultural and religious preferences.
During the stay, get regular updates on the treatment progress, periodic conference calls with the oncology team and smooth discharge process with follow up query management.
Procedure for Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India
As per a SWOT analysis published in NCBI on the Robotic Surgery in India in 2020, there are over 500 trained Robotic Surgeons in the country with over 12,800 successful surgeries completed.
With highly skilled specialists and affordable prices as compared to the west, Medical Tourism and International Patient influx in India is currently booming and is approx. $2 billion USD.[15]
Da Vinci XI Robot
Console manning Robot
With the assistance of advanced robots like Da Vinci XI, oncologists can offer patients the best results through minimally invasive techniques, resulting in preserving healthy tissue. This targets cancerous areas within the prostate, effectively.
The surgeon sits at the console and works remotely to operate on the patient using the Da Vinci robot. The surgeon moves a handle at the console, which is mimicked by the robot in real time. A control panel displays all the information to the surgeon. The surgery could take 2-3 hours.
The Da Vinci robot consist of 3 surgical arms and 1 camera arm. The surgical arms are basically the surgeons hands, but more flexible to operate on challenging areas. The camera arm provides the surgeon a clear 3D view of the ongoing surgery. The robot makes minimal cuts and operates using its long robotic mechanical arms, while the surgeon controls all movements.
Post-surgery the doctor monitors the patient and looks for any side-effects. The patient is required to stay under observation for at least 24 hours.
Remotely controlled by highly skilled surgeons, Da Vinci XI robots are flexible with a wider motion range to perform prostate cancer surgery. Unlike traditional open surgery, Robotic Surgery offers a lot more benefits.
Benefits: Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer
- Enhanced precision: Robotic surgery is more accurate in targeting the tumor than open radical surgery. This helps preserve healthy nearby tissues and reduces side effects.
- Reduced pain: Robotic surgery is less invasive as the robot makes small cuts, leading to lesser pain as compared to open radical surgery.
- Lesser Blood Loss: Thanks to minimal cuts, blood loss is lesser as compared to radical surgery, which involves long incisions.
- Quicker Recovery Time: Recovery time is also faster as compared to open surgery which is highly invasive.
- Reduced time and money spent on hospital stay: Robotic surgery reduces time and money spent on hospital visits.
Risks: Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer
Apart from the complications during the surgery, there are post-surgical compliocations that may occure, such as:
- Loss of bladder control
- Erectile dysfunction
- Swelling and pain
- Fatigue
Testimonies of Success: Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India
Find out how seamless it is to get Robotic surgery for prostate cancer in India through a real-life example.
Wilfred Mossi talks about his experience and how 10 days in India changed his life for the better. Understand from Dr. Surendra Kumar Dabas from BLK Max hospital, how they handled Mr. Mossi's case and treated him.
Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India
Success Rate
The success rate of Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy (RARP) in India is 98%. Research studies from Journal of Robotics Studies indicates favourable oncological outcomes and an overall high success rate in treating prostate cancer.[16]
Best Hospital for Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India
The JCI-accredited facility is one of the largest private clinics in Delhi and ranks among the top 10 multi-specialty hospitals.
As part of the Max Healthcare Group, a leading provider in India, it caters to both domestic and international patients.
The hospital specializes in cancer treatment, bariatric surgery, and cardiology, using advanced equipment that meets European hospital standards.
- 60+ Years of Experience
- JCI Accredited
- NABH Accredited
India's only Dual Console Robot with 2 doctors operating the robots.
6 latest Da Vinci XI Robotic Systems for prostate surgery, liver and kidney transplant.
State-of-the-art advanced oncology center and holistic treatment plans.
Multidisciplinary oncology care with a mix of chemotherapy and radiation therapy along with robotic surgery to fight cancer from all directions.
Board Certified, Highly skilled Surgeons working on the Robotics system.
BLK Max Super Speciality Hospital is leading in Robotic Surgery with 6 latest Da Vinci XI Robots that assist the surgeons during prostatectomy. The hospital is:
- JCI certified
- NABH accredited
- Board certified surgeons
- Boasts India's first dual console system that helps training the best-in-class robotic surgeons
Best Surgeon for Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India
Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas
Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas is the Head of the Department of Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgery at BLK Hospital.
He is also the Vice President of the International Guild of Robotic & Endoscopic Head & Neck Surgery.
A pioneer in Robotic Surgical Oncology in India, Dr. Dabas is also an international mentor for robotic oncological surgeries.
He has performed over 20,000 complex cancer surgeries, including 2,500 robotic procedures.
Education
National Board of Examination, India
Memberships
- Indian Association of Surgical Oncology (IASO)
- Robotic & Endoscopic Head - Neck Surgeons (IGREHNS)
- International Guild of Robotic & Endoscopic Head & Neck Surgery
Is Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India Safe?
Yes, Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer can be a safe option in India. In a long term comparative research study conducted in India and published in the Journal of Robotic Surgery, it was found that Robotic Surgery is 98.3 % successful, safe and convenient as compared with Open Radical Surgery which is 92% safe.[17]
Conclusion
With a success rate of 98% , Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer in India exemplifies expert medical care and cutting-edge technology, all at affordable prices. Patients can benefit from minimally invasive procedures, enhanced precision, and quicker recovery times leading to lesser money and time spent in hospital.
With ultra-modern equipment like the 4th generation Da Vinci XI Robotic System, along with highly dedicated oncologists and comprehensive support services, India is emerging as a favourable destination for those seeking top-notch treatment for prostate cancer.
FAQ
BLK Max Super Speciality hospital is the best hospital in India to get Prostate Surgery. Thanks to the best surgeons in the country and 7 high-end robots including Da Vinci XI, BLK Max is changing the landscape of Oncology care through robotic prostatectomy.
Medical tourism in India is a great option to find low cost medical care. Travel to India and get high quality healthcare with affordable prices.
References
- American Cancer Society: Surgery for Prostate Cancer
- JAMA Network: Assessment of Out-of-Pocket Costs for Robotic Cancer Surgery in US Adults
- JAMA Network: Cost-effectiveness of Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy for Localized Prostate Cancer in the UK
- Sidecar Health: Cost of Laparoscopic Prostatectomy by State
- National Library of Medicine: Radical prostatectomy technique in the robotic evolution: from da Vinci standard to single port—a single surgeon pathway
- American Urology Association: Primary Question: How Has the Average Number of Radical Prostatectomies Performed by Urologists Changed Over Time?
- American Urology Association: Primary Question: How Has the Average Number of Radical Prostatectomies Performed by Urologists Changed Over Time?
- Intuitive: Intuitive Announces Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results
- National Library of Medicine: The direct cost incurred by patients and caregivers in diagnosing and managing prostate cancer in Ghana
- Firstpost: Medical tourism: Why Americans seek treatment in other countries?
- Cancer Network: Proton RT for Prostate Cancer Has Reduced Toxicity, Higher Cost vs Other RT Options
- ASCO publication: Variation in the Cost of Radiation Therapy Among Medicare Patients With Cancer
- American Brachytherapy Society: Treatment Cost Comparison for Radical Prostatectomy, Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) With High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy (HDR) Boost, HDR Monotherapy Single Fraction and I-125 Implant for Localized Prostate Cancer in a Spanish Private Practice
- Health Match: Prostate Cancer: Costs For Diagnosis, Treatment, And Care
- National Library of Medicine: Robot-assisted surgery in India: A SWOT analysis
- Springer Link: Long-term comparative outcome analysis of a robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with retropubic radical prostatectomy by a single surgeon
- Springer Link: Long-term comparative outcome analysis of a robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with retropubic radical prostatectomy by a single surgeon
