A Multidisciplinary Tumour Board (MTB) is a structured weekly meeting where medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and supportive care specialists collectively review each cancer patient’s case and agree on the most appropriate treatment plan. Research consistently shows that patients whose cases are reviewed by an MTB receive more accurate diagnoses, more appropriate treatment plans and better outcomes than those treated by a single specialist. At Meds Hospital, every new cancer case is presented at the MTB before treatment begins — this is our standard of care, not an exception.

Yes. Most health insurance policies in India cover cancer treatment including hospitalisation, surgery, chemotherapy and some targeted therapy drugs. Government schemes including Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) and Aarogyasri (Telangana) provide substantial coverage for eligible patients — often covering the entire cost of surgery and chemotherapy for qualifying cancer diagnoses. At Meds Hospital, our dedicated insurance and financial counselling team will review your policy, advise on what is covered, submit pre-authorisation and manage the claim process on your behalf.

Yes. Most health insurance policies in India cover cancer treatment including hospitalisation, surgery, chemotherapy and some targeted therapy drugs. Government schemes including Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) and Aarogyasri (Telangana) provide substantial coverage for eligible patients — often covering the entire cost of surgery and chemotherapy for qualifying cancer diagnoses. At Meds Hospital, our dedicated insurance and financial counselling team will review your policy, advise on what is covered, submit pre-authorisation and manage the claim process on your behalf.

Chemotherapy uses drugs that attack all rapidly dividing cells — including cancer cells, but also healthy cells like hair follicles and gut lining, which is why it causes side effects like hair loss and nausea. Targeted therapy uses drugs that are designed to attack specific molecular targets found on cancer cells — for example, a mutated protein or receptor that drives cancer growth. This means targeted therapy is often more precise, with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. However, targeted therapy is only effective when your tumour has the specific molecular target it acts on — which is why we perform molecular and biomarker testing before recommending it. Examples include Trastuzumab for HER2+ breast cancer and Erlotinib for EGFR-mutant lung cancer.

Stage IV cancer means the disease has spread beyond the original organ to other parts of the body. While Stage IV cancer is not usually curable, it is very often treatable — and treatment goals shift toward controlling the disease, maintaining quality of life, managing symptoms and extending meaningful survival. Many patients with Stage IV cancer live for months to years with good quality of life on modern systemic treatments. Additionally, in some cases (particularly certain types of Stage IV colorectal, liver and lung cancers), surgery or other interventions can sometimes still be performed with curative intent when the spread is limited. Our Tumour Board will assess every Stage IV case individually — never assuming the worst without careful evaluation.

Cancer screening recommendations depend on your age, sex, family history and risk factors. General guidelines for adults in India: Women over 40 should have a mammogram every 1–2 years for breast cancer screening; women above 21 (or sexually active) should have a Pap smear every 3 years for cervical cancer; adults above 45 should consider colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer; smokers and high-risk individuals should discuss lung cancer screening with a doctor. Those with a strong family history of cancer (two or more first-degree relatives with cancer) should consult an oncologist for personalised risk assessment. At Meds Hospital, our cancer screening clinic offers comprehensive packages tailored to your specific risk profile.

Palliative care at Meds Hospital is active, evidence-based and deeply compassionate. Our palliative care team manages pain using a structured WHO analgesic ladder approach, including oral morphine and interventional procedures for refractory pain. We manage other symptoms including nausea, breathlessness, fatigue and mouth sores. Our psycho-oncologist provides emotional support to both patient and family. Our social worker helps with practical planning and access to home care services. Palliative care is not “giving up” — it is choosing to prioritise comfort, dignity and quality of life alongside or instead of curative treatment. We believe every cancer patient deserves to live as well as possible for as long as possible.

After completing active treatment, you enter a structured survivorship and surveillance programme at Meds Hospital. This typically involves regular follow-up consultations every 3–6 months for the first 2 years, then annually. Each visit includes a clinical examination, relevant blood tests (including tumour markers where appropriate) and imaging studies (CT, MRI or PET-CT depending on your cancer type) at defined intervals. Your oncologist will also educate you on symptoms that should prompt an immediate unscheduled visit — these are individual to your cancer type. Recurrence, if it occurs, is almost always caught earlier — and therefore more treatable — when patients are on a structured follow-up programme.