Why patients travel to us
Pricing is transparent โ the treatment fee is $6,000โ$8,000 USD per session (a full Lu-177 PSMA course of 6 sessions runs $36,000โ$48,000 USD), and includes local transport between your accommodation and our center. Flights, accommodation, and visa are arranged and paid separately. But cost isn't the only reason patients choose us. They also choose us for:
- Short wait times โ we can typically start your first session within 4 weeks of inquiry
- Dedicated focus โ we've made Lutetium therapy our practice, not a side service
- International protocols โ same evidence, same standards used at leading global centers
- English-fluent team โ no language barrier in your medical conversations
- End-to-end coordination โ we handle the trip, not just the treatment
Step 1 โ Share your records
Get in touch via our contact form, email, or WhatsApp. Send whatever recent records you have:
- Most recent imaging (CT, PET, MRI as relevant) โ reports + actual images if possible
- Blood tests within the last 3 months
- Pathology report
- List of prior treatments (with dates and outcomes)
- Current medications
- Any oncology notes from your treating team
Our team reviews your case within 5 working days. We'll tell you honestly whether you appear to be a candidate, whether you need additional tests first, and what a treatment course would look like.
Step 2 โ Invitation letter and quote
Once we've confirmed you're a candidate, we issue two documents:
- Treatment plan and quote โ total treatment fee, session schedule, expected duration. Fixed pricing; no surprise add-ons. Flights, accommodation, and visa are listed separately so you can plan them yourself.
- Invitation letter โ required for your Indian Medical Visa application. Specifies treatment dates, our center, and your role as the patient.
Both documents are provided in English and can be translated for your local visa authority if needed.
Step 3 โ The Indian Medical Visa
India offers a specific Medical Visa for international patients seeking treatment:
- Validity: Up to 60 days from first arrival, multiple entries allowed. Extendable within India.
- For longer treatment: Long-term Medical Visa up to 1 year
- Companion visa: Medical Attendant Visa for up to 2 family members
- Processing time: 7โ21 days, depending on country
- Where to apply: Indian embassy/high commission in your country, or e-medical visa at indianvisaonline.gov.in
- What you'll need: Our invitation letter, your passport, photos, financial documents, treatment plan
We've guided patients from US, UK, EU, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond through this process. Our international coordinators can advise on country-specific nuances.
Step 4 โ Arriving in India
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) is one of Asia's busiest hubs, with direct flights from most major world cities. Your trip will be coordinated with our international patient team before you arrive:
- Airport pickup โ by our driver, in a clean, comfortable car, with our coordinator's contact at hand
- Accommodation โ we recommend pre-vetted options near our center, ranging from budget-friendly serviced apartments to four-star hotels
- Currency & SIM card โ guidance on getting Indian rupees and a working phone number
- First-day briefing โ your treatment schedule, what to expect, who to call
Step 5 โ Treatment
See the patient journey for full details on what happens during treatment. Briefly:
- Lu-177 PSMA: 6 cycles, 6 weeks apart (~7 months total)
- Lu-177 DOTATATE: 4 cycles, 8 weeks apart (~6 months total)
- Each cycle: Outpatient, same-day discharge for most patients
- Between cycles: You're free to live normally; radiation precautions for the first 3โ5 days after each cycle
Stay options during treatment
Option A โ One long stay (most international patients)
Travel to India for the full treatment course. Stay 6โ8 months. Between cycles, you're free to enjoy the city, travel within India (we'll advise), or focus on rest.
- Lu-177 DOTATATE: ~6.5 months in India (4 cycles + buffer)
- Lu-177 PSMA: ~7.5 months in India (6 cycles + buffer)
This is the most common pattern โ fewer flights, more continuity of care, and a chance to explore one of the world's great cities.
Option B โ Multiple shorter trips
Some patients prefer to fly home between cycles. Each visit requires about 2 weeks in India (cycle + recovery + clearance for travel). More flights, more disruption, but shorter individual stays.
Option C โ Hybrid
Stay for the first 2โ3 cycles, return home for a break, then come back for the remainder. We'll work around your life.
Option D โ Split with your home center
You can do one or two sessions with us, then continue the rest at a Lutetium therapy center back home. We provide a complete records package โ dose history, scan results, protocol notes โ so your home team can pick up exactly where we left off. Per-session pricing ($6,000โ$8,000 USD) applies whether you do one session or all of them.
Accommodation in India
- Serviced apartments โ $600โ$1,800 USD per month. Best for long stays. Kitchen, laundry, cleaner.
- Hotels (3โ4 star) โ $50โ$120 USD per night. Best for short trips.
- Hotels (5 star) โ $180โ$360 USD per night. Premium experience.
- Partner accommodation โ some patients prefer our recommended partner properties walking distance from the center.
We don't take commissions from accommodations. Our recommendations reflect patient feedback over years.
Sample total trip cost โ international patient, Lu-177 PSMA course
- Pre-treatment scan in India: ~$600 USD
- 6 sessions of Lu-177 PSMA at $6โ8K each: $36,000โ$48,000 USD
- Follow-up scans during/after: ~$600 USD
- Travel (2 round-trip flights, patient + companion, economy): ~$3,500 USD
- Accommodation (8 months, serviced apartment): ~$8,000 USD
- Visa fees, local transport, food, misc: ~$3,000 USD
- Total trip cost: approximately $51,000โ$63,000 USD
Frequently asked questions
Is the quality of care in India equivalent to my home country?
For Lutetium therapy specifically, yes. We use the same protocols, the same active pharmaceutical, and the same imaging that leading centers in the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand use. The cost difference reflects healthcare system structure, not quality. We're happy to share outcome data so you can verify.
What if I have a complication during treatment?
Our center has full clinical support and 24/7 on-call medical care. Side effects requiring intervention are managed at our facility. Major emergencies (extremely rare) escalate to a partner tertiary hospital within minutes. Most international patients have uncomplicated courses.
Will my home health insurance cover this?
Generally no for treatment costs incurred in India. Some plans cover the home-country follow-up (post-treatment scans, blood tests). Documentation from your Indian treatment will be needed. We provide complete medical records to support insurance claims.
What about pollution, climate, food in India?
Parts of India (notably the north in NovโFeb) have mid-winter pollution but conditions are otherwise generally fine. Our medical team will advise on health precautions. Climate ranges from cool winters to hot summers. International food options are widely available; we accommodate any dietary needs.
Can I travel within India between cycles?
Yes, after the first 5โ7 days post-cycle. Many patients use the time between cycles to see the Taj Mahal, Rajasthan, Kerala, or take a hill station break. We can recommend safe, comfortable trips that don't compromise treatment.
What if I decide I want to go home mid-treatment?
That's your right. We don't lock you in. If you choose to discontinue, we'll provide complete records and recommendations for completing or transitioning your care at home. No financial penalty beyond cycles already completed.
Can I bring family members?
Yes, and we encourage it. Medical Attendant visas allow up to 2 family members. Many of our patients travel with a spouse or adult child for the full course. We accommodate family in accommodation, transport, and clinic visits.
How do I start?
Email us at connect@artofhealingcancer.com, message us on WhatsApp, or book a free 20-minute call via our contact page. Initial conversation is free, with zero obligation. We'll review your situation honestly and tell you whether we can help.
