A cancer diagnosis changes everything. The weeks that follow are filled with decisions about treatment options, which doctors to trust, and, for many families, whether travelling abroad for better care is the right choice.
Cancer treatment in India has reached a level that is truly comparable to the best centres in the world. The combination of internationally trained oncologists, advanced technology, and significantly lower treatment costs has made India one of the most trusted destinations for cancer care for patients from Africa, the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
SGVP Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad offers something additional: a care model that treats the whole person, not just the disease. Bringing together modern oncology, Ayurveda, Yoga ensures that cancer care is as compassionate as it is effective.
The State of Cancer in India and Why International Patients Choose Indian Hospitals
India has built one of the most sophisticated oncology hospitals in the world over the past two decades. Patients who once had no choice but to travel to the UK, the US, or Singapore for advanced cancer care are now choosing India with confidence.
India’s Oncology Landscape: A Global Leader in Medical Tourism
India’s cancer hospitals now offer the same surgical techniques, radiation technologies, and targeted and immunotherapy drugs as those available at leading centres in Western countries. The difference is that in India, these treatments are delivered at a fraction of the cost.
The country has produced oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and pathologists who have trained at world-class institutions in the UK, the US, Europe, and Australia. Many of them have returned to India to practice at hospitals that are equipped to match their training. The standard of care at India’s best cancer hospitals is genuinely international.
Why International Patients Specifically Choose India Over Other Destinations
Several factors consistently bring international patients to India for cancer treatment:
- Treatment costs are 60 to 80% lower than in the UK, the US, or the Gulf countries
- Waiting times for surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are days rather than weeks or months
- English is widely spoken by oncologists and clinical teams, removing the language barrier
- Internationally trained specialists are available across all cancer sub-specialities
- NABH-accredited hospitals follow quality and safety standards aligned with international benchmarks
- End-to-end international patient support covers visa, travel, accommodation, and follow-up
India is also a country where patients feel truly looked after. The cultural warmth, the attentiveness of clinical teams, and the personalised attention available at good hospitals create an experience that patients from all over the world consistently describe positively.
Why Ahmedabad Is Emerging as an Oncology Destination
Ahmedabad is establishing itself as a trusted oncology destination within India. The city has strong air connectivity from Africa, the Gulf, and the UK through Ahmedabad International Airport. It is calmer and more manageable than Delhi or Mumbai, making the treatment period less stressful for patients and their families.
SGVP Holistic Hospital is located on SG Highway, 15 to 25 minutes from the airport. The hospital has a dedicated oncology program with surgical, medical, and radiation oncology capabilities, supported by advanced diagnostics and a unique integrative healing approach that no metro cancer hospital currently matches.
Cancers Treated at SGVP Holistic Hospital – Our Comprehensive Oncology Programme
SGVP Holistic Hospital offers a wide range of cancer care through its dedicated oncology program. Conditions treated include:
- Head and neck cancers: Oral cavity, tongue, throat, larynx, thyroid, salivary gland
- Gastrointestinal cancers: Oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, colon, rectum
- Gynaecological cancers: Cervical, ovarian, uterine, vulvar
- Breast cancer: All stages, including early-stage, locally advanced, and metastatic
- Lung cancer: Non-small cell and small cell, including targeted therapy-eligible cases
- Urological cancers: Prostate, kidney, bladder, testicular
- Haematological cancers: Leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma
- Neurological cancers: Brain tumours and spinal cord tumours
- Bone and soft tissue sarcomas
- Skin cancers: Including melanoma
- Unknown primary cancers: Evaluated with molecular profiling
Each patient’s case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumour board before treatment begins. This ensures that the best combination of surgical, medical, and radiation oncology is planned for every individual case.
Advanced Cancer Treatment Modalities Available at SGVP Holistic Hospital
SGVP Holistic Hospital’s oncology program covers the full spectrum of modern cancer treatment. Patients have access to all major modalities under one roof, managed by a coordinated specialist team.
Surgical Oncology: Precision, Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery
Surgery remains the most important treatment for many solid tumours. At SGVP Holistic Hospital, surgical oncology is performed by specialists trained in oncological surgery techniques that prioritise complete tumour removal while preserving as much normal tissue and function as possible.
Minimally invasive and laparoscopic approaches are used wherever the tumour characteristics and patient health allow. Robotic surgery is available for selected procedures, including prostate surgery and certain gastrointestinal and gynaecological cancer cases.
Reconstruction after major head and neck or breast cancer surgery is performed by trained reconstructive surgeons as part of the same care team.
Medical Oncology: Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy and Hormonal Therapy
Medical oncology at SGVP Holistic Hospital covers the full range of systemic cancer treatments. Chemotherapy regimens are selected based on tumour type, stage, molecular profile, and patient health status. Targeted therapy, which works against specific genetic mutations driving the cancer, is available for breast, lung, colorectal, and other cancers where molecular testing has identified an actionable target.
Hormonal therapies for breast and prostate cancer are managed alongside the oncology program. The medical oncology team coordinates closely with the tumour board to ensure that every patient receives the most appropriate systemic treatment based on the latest clinical evidence.
Immunotherapy: Using the Body’s Own Defence
Immunotherapy has transformed outcomes for several cancer types over the past decade. At SGVP Holistic Hospital, checkpoint inhibitors and other immunotherapy agents are available for eligible patients with cancers, including lung, melanoma, bladder, kidney, and certain gastrointestinal tumours.
Patient eligibility for immunotherapy is determined through PD-L1 testing and tumour mutation burden assessment, ensuring that treatment is offered to those most likely to benefit. The oncology team closely monitors immunotherapy-related side effects, as they differ significantly from those of conventional chemotherapy.
Radiation Oncology: IMRT, VMAT, IGRT and Stereotactic Radiosurgery
SGVP Holistic Hospital’s radiation oncology department is equipped with advanced technologies that deliver precise, targeted radiation to tumours while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Available radiation techniques include:
- IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy): Shapes the radiation beam to match the tumour contour from multiple angles
- VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy): Delivers radiation continuously as the machine rotates around the patient, reducing treatment time significantly
- IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy): Uses real-time imaging to verify and adjust the patient’s position before each treatment session
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): Delivers very high doses of precisely targeted radiation to small tumours or metastases in the brain, spine, lung, liver, or other sites
Radiation planning is performed by a team of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and dosimetrists using advanced treatment planning software.
Precision Oncology: Molecular Profiling and Genomic Testing
Not all tumours of the same type behave the same way. Precision oncology uses molecular and genomic testing to understand the specific biological characteristics of each patient’s cancer and identify targeted treatment options.
At SGVP Holistic Hospital, comprehensive molecular profiling, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), is available for patients with advanced or treatment-resistant cancers. Results guide decisions about targeted therapies, immunotherapy eligibility, and clinical trial suitability.
For patients travelling from other countries, reports from molecular tests performed at home can be reviewed and incorporated into the treatment plan.
Integrative Oncology: Ayurveda, Yoga and Holistic Support During Cancer Treatment
This is one of the most distinctive aspects of cancer care at SGVP Holistic Hospital, and one that genuinely sets it apart from every other oncology centre in India.
Cancer treatment is physically and emotionally demanding. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery take a significant toll on the body. SGVP Holistic Hospital integrates Ayurveda, Yoga, and holistic therapies into the cancer care journey as part of a structured program, not as an optional side service.
Ayurvedic therapies are used to support immune function, manage treatment-related fatigue, improve digestive health during chemotherapy, and promote overall recovery. Yoga and breathing practices are adapted for cancer patients and taught by trained practitioners as part of daily recovery. Psychological support and counselling are available for patients and families throughout treatment.
This integrative approach does not replace modern oncological treatment. It supports the patient through it, making the experience more manageable, reducing side effects where possible, and supporting long-term healing.
Cancer Treatment Cost in India: A Detailed Comparison
Cost is one of the primary reasons international patients choose India for cancer treatment. The savings compared to the UK, the US, or Gulf countries are substantial across all treatment modalities.
| Treatment | SGVP Holistic Hospital, Ahmedabad | UK | USA |
| Cancer surgery (general) | Rs 2L to Rs 6L | Rs 20L to Rs 50L | Rs 40L to Rs 1.2Cr |
| Chemotherapy (per cycle) | Rs 15,000 to Rs 80,000 | Rs 2L to Rs 8L | Rs 3L to Rs 12L |
| Targeted therapy (per cycle) | Rs 30,000 to Rs 2L | Rs 3L to Rs 15L | Rs 5L to Rs 20L |
| Immunotherapy (per cycle) | Rs 1L to Rs 3L | Rs 5L to Rs 20L | Rs 8L to Rs 30L |
| Radiation therapy (full course) | Rs 1.5L to Rs 4L | Rs 10L to Rs 30L | Rs 20L to Rs 60L |
| Bone marrow transplant | Rs 10L to Rs 20L | Rs 50L to Rs 1Cr | Rs 1Cr to Rs 2.5Cr |
All figures are approximate and depend on the cancer type, stage, treatment protocol, and hospital stay duration. SGVP Holistic Hospital provides a personalised treatment plan and cost estimate within 24 hours of receiving medical reports.
International Patient Journey: From First Contact to Treatment Completion
SGVP Holistic Hospital has designed a structured, well-supported pathway for international cancer patients. Every step from first contact to post-treatment follow-up is managed by the dedicated international patient team.
Step-by-Step Guide for International Cancer Patients
Step 1 – Remote Consultation Request: Send all available medical reports, pathology results, imaging, and treatment history to globalcare@sgvphh.org or via WhatsApp to +91-6359855525. Include a brief summary of the diagnosis and any questions you would like answered.
Step 2 – Free Second Opinion and Teleconsultation: The relevant oncologist reviews the submitted reports and schedules a video consultation. This provides a clinical assessment, a second opinion on the diagnosis or proposed treatment, and clear answers to patient questions before any travel commitment is made.
Step 3 – Personalised Treatment Plan and Cost Estimate: Based on the teleconsultation, a detailed treatment plan is prepared covering recommended surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination approach. A full cost estimate covering treatment, hospital stay, and accommodation options is provided within 24 hours.
Step 4 – Visa and Travel Coordination: SGVP Holistic Hospital issues a medical visa invitation letter for the Indian embassy. The international patient team guides visa documentation, arranges airport pickup in Ahmedabad, and coordinates accommodation for the patient and accompanying family members.
Step 5 – Treatment, Integrative Care and Support: The patient arrives with a confirmed plan and a dedicated coordinator. Treatment is delivered by the oncology team with multidisciplinary tumour board oversight. Ayurveda, Yoga, and holistic support are available throughout the treatment period. Interpreter support in Arabic, French, and Swahili is available for patients who need it.
Step 6 – Discharge, Prescription and Telemedicine Follow-Up: Before returning home, the patient receives a complete discharge summary, a detailed prescription and medication plan, and instructions for follow-up testing. Telemedicine consultations with the oncology team are available after the patient returns home for ongoing monitoring and guidance.
International Patient Support Services at SGVP Holistic Hospital
SGVP Holistic Hospital’s international patient support includes:
- Medical visa invitation letter and visa process guidance
- Airport pickup and drop-off from Ahmedabad International Airport
- Accommodation coordination for patients and family members
- Multilingual support in Arabic, French, and Swahili
- FRRO registration assistance
- 24/7 emergency helpline
- Dedicated international patient coordinator for every case
- Telemedicine follow-up after return home
Contact: globalcare@sgvphh.org | WhatsApp: +91-6359855525
Why Choose SGVP Holistic Hospital for Cancer Treatment?
Several hospitals in India offer oncology care. SGVP Holistic Hospital stands apart for a combination of reasons that collectively make it a genuinely different choice.
NABH-accredited and nationally recognised: SGVP Holistic Hospital is NABH-accredited and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017. The hospital has 180 beds, 200+ senior consultants, 30+ specialised departments, and 13 Centres of Excellence.
Complete oncology under one roof: Surgical, medical, radiation, and precision oncology are all available within the same institution. Patients do not need to travel between facilities for different parts of their treatment.
Multidisciplinary tumour board for every patient: Every cancer case is reviewed collectively by oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists before treatment begins. This is the international standard of cancer care, and it is the standard at SGVP Holistic Hospital.
Unique integrative healing approach: Ayurveda, Yoga, and holistic therapies are integrated into cancer care at SGVP Holistic Hospital as a structured program. This is rare in India’s cancer hospitals and makes the treatment experience more humane, more supportive, and more focused on the whole person.
End-to-end international patient support: From the first email to the final telemedicine follow-up, every practical aspect of the international patient journey is handled by a dedicated team. Patients arrive informed, supported, and prepared.
Conclusion
Choosing cancer care in India has now become a practical decision for many families. Patients receive world-class medical quality at a much more affordable cost, with the added benefits of immediate access to treatment and truly personalised care.
SGVP Holistic Hospital in Ahmedabad takes this further with a care model that integrates Ayurveda and holistic healing alongside modern oncology. For patients who want not just effective treatment but a genuinely supported and humane treatment journey, this combination is difficult to find anywhere else in India.
If you or a family member has received a cancer diagnosis and is exploring options, share your reports with the SGVP Holistic Hospital oncology team. A teleconsultation will be arranged, and a treatment plan with a cost estimate will follow within 24 hours.
Contact: globalcare@sgvphh.org | WhatsApp: +91-6359855525
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, at experienced and accredited centres. India’s best cancer hospitals offer the same surgical techniques, radiation technologies, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy agents that are available in the UK and US. SGVP Holistic Hospital is NABH-accredited, utilises advanced oncology technology, and adheres to international multidisciplinary tumour board standards for every patient. The clinical quality is comparable; the cost is significantly lower.
Cancer treatment in India is generally 60-80% less expensive than equivalent treatment in the UK or the US. A full course of chemotherapy that costs several lakh rupees in India may cost 10 to 20 times as much in the UK or the US. Surgery, radiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy all follow similar cost differentials. SGVP Holistic Hospital provides a personalised cost estimate within 24 hours of receiving medical reports.
Yes. SGVP Holistic Hospital offers free teleconsultation and second-opinion services for international patients. Send your pathology reports, imaging, and medical history to globalcare@sgvphh.org or via WhatsApp to +91-6359855525. The relevant oncologist will review your case and schedule a video consultation. You receive a clinical assessment and treatment recommendations before making any travel decision.
SGVP Holistic Hospital treats a comprehensive range of cancers, including head and neck, breast, lung, gastrointestinal, gynaecological, urological, haematological, neurological, bone and soft tissue, and skin cancers. Precision oncology with molecular profiling is available for advanced and treatment-resistant cases. Every case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary tumour board before treatment begins.
Yes. SGVP Holistic Hospital regularly treats patients from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and other African countries across several specialities, including oncology. The international patient team provides medical visa invitation letters, arranges airport pickup in Ahmedabad, and offers interpreter support in Swahili for East African patients. Telemedicine follow-up is available after patients return home.
