Choosing the right cancer care centre is one of the most important decisions for patients and their families. Chennai is home to some of India’s top cancer hospitals, offering advanced diagnostics, surgical oncology, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplants, and even state-of-the-art proton therapy.
Leading cancer hospitals in Chennai include Apollo Hospitals, Adyar Cancer Institute, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Gleneagles Global Health City, and Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre—all known for experienced oncologists, multidisciplinary tumour boards, and compassionate patient care.
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Cancer Treatment Cost in Chennai
The cost of cancer treatment in Chennai can vary widely and may reach several lakhs depending on the cancer type, stage, treatment plan, duration, and hospital facilities.
Financial Support Through Crowdfunding
As treatment costs rise, many families turn to ImpactGuru medical crowdfunding to bridge financial gaps. Crowdfunding helps patients raise funds online, easing the burden of expensive surgeries, chemotherapy cycles, targeted therapies, and radiation treatments—making world-class cancer care more accessible and affordable.
What is the Cost of Cancer Treatment in Chennai?
The cost of cancer treatment in Chennai typically ranges between ₹2.5 lakh and ₹20 lakh or more, depending on the type of cancer and treatment required. Here is an average estimate of cancer treatment costs based on its type:
| Treatment Type | Estimate Cost |
| Chemotherapy | ₹40,000 to ₹1,50,000 per cycle. |
| Radiation Therapy | ₹5,000–₹18,000 per session |
| Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant | ₹8–32 lakh. |
Since costs are substantial, many families turn to ImpactGuru crowdfunding to raise funds and access timely treatment. Patients can also use ImpactGuru’s cost calculator to estimate cancer treatment expenses in Chennai.
To understand your expenses better, try our disease cost calculator—it helps you calculate the estimated cost of your treatment in just a few clicks.
Which are the 5 Best Cancer Hospitals in Chennai?
- Apollo Cancer Centre / Apollo Proton Cancer Centre – Teynampet & Tharamani
- Cancer Institute (W.I.A.), Adyar – Adyar
- Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) – Park Town
- Gleneagles Global Health City – Perumbakkam
- Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRMC) – Porur
List of 5 Best Cancer Hospitals in Chennai
1. Adyar Cancer Institute (W.I.A.)
Adyar Cancer Institute, Established in 1954, Adyar Cancer Institute is a not-for-profit cancer centre with 545+ beds, where nearly 40% of treatments are free or subsidised. Recognised by the WHO as a “Centre of Excellence”, it offers surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, preventive oncology, and research. It remains one of Chennai’s most trusted and affordable cancer hospitals.
2. Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, India’s first and only proton therapy facility, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre treats complex cancers such as brain, spine, and paediatric tumours. It provides end-to-end services including diagnostics, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and advanced oncologic surgery. The hospital is JCI-accredited and attracts patients from 150+ countries, making it a global leader in precision cancer care.
3. Gleneagles Global Health City
Gleneagles Global Health City, Located in Perumbakkam, this hospital is known for advanced oncology and performs 100+ robotic cancer surgeries annually, including HIPEC for abdominal cancers. Equipped with PET-CT, 3T MRI, and SBRT technology, it specialises in bone marrow transplants, precision radiation, and minimally invasive surgeries. Its expert oncology team is among the most reputed in Chennai.
4. Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH)
Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), Founded in 1664, RGGGH is one of India’s largest government hospitals with 2,722 beds. Its oncology department treats thousands of patients every year with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical oncology services. As a public hospital, it offers highly affordable cancer care and serves as a teaching hospital affiliated with Madras Medical College.
5. Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRMC)
Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre (SRMC), Run by SRIHER, SRMC is a 1,500-bed NABH and NABL-accredited hospital offering medical, surgical, and radiation oncology. With advanced technologies such as IMRT, IGRT, and stereotactic radiosurgery, SRMC ensures comprehensive cancer care guided by multidisciplinary tumour boards. It is consistently ranked among India’s top private hospitals.
Click Here to Find Best Hospitals Near You
Factors Affecting the Cost of Cancer Treatment
- Type of Cancer: The treatment approach varies for solid tumours, blood cancers, or rare cancers, directly impacting overall expenses.
- Stage of Cancer: Early-stage cancers may need only surgery or limited therapy, while advanced stages often require multi-modality treatment (surgery + chemo + radiation + targeted drugs).
- Treatment Modality: Costs differ widely between standard chemotherapy/radiation and advanced therapies such as proton therapy, robotic surgery, immunotherapy, or bone marrow transplant.
- Hospital Choice: Government and charitable hospitals are more affordable, while private multispeciality hospitals may have higher costs due to advanced technology and facilities.
- Duration of Treatment: Longer hospital stays, repeated cycles of chemo or radiation, and extended recovery increase total bills.
- Doctor’s Expertise: Treatment under leading cancer specialist doctors in Chennai may involve higher professional fees, but ensures top-quality care.
How to Raise Funds for Cancer Treatment?
Crowdfunding Support for Cancer Treatment in Chennai
Cancer treatment costs can escalate rapidly, especially when patients require proton therapy, bone marrow transplants, immunotherapy, or targeted drugs. While health insurance helps, many policies include caps, exclusions, co-payments, and limited coverage for advanced treatments, resulting in significant out-of-pocket expenses.
In such situations, ImpactGuru medical crowdfunding has become a lifeline for families in Chennai and across India. By launching a campaign on ImpactGuru, patients can raise funds online within days, supported by friends, family, colleagues, and generous donors. Crowdfunding not only reduces the financial burden but also ensures timely access to critical, life-saving treatments, offering hope during difficult times.
Open the link and start sharing it forward.
Spread hope, one referral at a time.
Conclusion
Chennai offers some of India’s most advanced cancer treatments, supported by top hospitals, expert oncology teams, and affordable care through government and charitable institutions. However, costs can vary significantly—especially for high-end therapies—making careful financial planning essential.
For many families, ImpactGuru provides an effective and reliable way to bridge funding gaps, ensuring treatment begins without delay. With the right hospital, skilled doctors, and timely financial support, patients can focus on healing with confidence and peace of mind.
FAQs
In Chennai, treatment costs vary significantly based on cancer type, stage and hospital. For example, chemotherapy per cycle may range from around ₹30,000 to ₹2,00,000.
Leading centres include major public & private hospitals in Chennai with multi-speciality oncology units — for example those listed in the state cancer treatment scheme listings.
Major factors include: type & stage of cancer, treatment modality (surgery, chemo, radiation), hospital choice (private vs government), length of hospital stay, diagnostics, follow-ups and post-treatment medication.
Yes. Government or state-empanelled hospitals in Chennai often provide subsidised care or are covered under public health schemes, while private hospitals tend to charge more.
Yes — Chennai being a major medical-city in India, leading cancer hospitals do accept national & international patients. NRIs should check accreditation, cost-estimates, travel & stay logistics.
In private hospitals in Chennai, depending on complexity, surgery costs may range from roughly ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh or more for many common cases.
Some useful questions:
“What is the estimated cost for my specific cancer type and stage?”
“Does the estimate include diagnostics, hospital stay, medications and follow-ups?”
“Are there any hidden or additional costs (e.g., imported drugs, ICU stay)?”
“What financial-aid or insurance support is available?”
“If the treatment plan changes mid-course, how will cost be managed?”
