Pneumonectomy Cost in India | Lung Cancer Surgery

Q: What is the longest someone has lived after a lung transplant?

They gave me a maximum of five years to live after the operation, and nearly 30 years later I'm still here.

Q: Which lung is more important?

The right lung is shorter than the left lung to make room for the liver. The left lung is narrower than the right to make room for the heart. Lungs are sacks of tissue located just below the rib cage and above the diaphragm. They are an important part of the respiratory system and waste management for the body.

Q: How can I check my lungs at home?

A common method is using a Peak Flow Meter, a handheld device that measures the strength of your breath. You simply breathe into one end and the meter instantly shows a reading on a scale, typically in liters per minute.

Q: What food is good for lungs?

They include brown rice, whole-wheat bread, whole-wheat pasta, oats, quinoa, and barley. Not only are whole-grain foods high in fiber, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, but they're full of vitamin E, selenium, and essential fatty acids, which are good for lung health.

Q: Which fruit is best for lungs?

Citrus fruits, especially orange and lemon, are an amazing source of antioxidants and Vitamin C and Vitamin C, in turn, helps in boosting the immunity and fighting against respiratory infections.

Q: How long does it take to recover from a pneumonectomy?

Your recovery will probably take weeks or even months. If the surgeon spread your ribs to get to the lung, the area near the incision will hurt for some time after surgery. Your overall activity may be limited for 1 to 2 months.

Pneumonectomy Package

Medical Visa
Assistance

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Consultation

Language Interpretation
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Opinion

Post-Treatment
Care Coordination

Coordinating care at accredited hospitals, including

Apollo HospitalsFortis HealthcareManipal HospitalsSarvodaya Hospital

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Surgery Name	Cost	Room	Hospitalization
Pneumonectomy Package	$5014	Single	Patient - 6 days stay in a single room.

✓ Inclusion

✔Room rent – 6 days stay in a single room
✔Cost of pneumonectomy surgery with lymph node clearance
✔Surgeon's fees and anaesthetist fees
✔Operation theatre charges
✔Routine post-operative ICU / high-dependency monitoring as per protocol
✔Consultation by the primary team during package days
✔Basic pre-operative investigations
✔Routine pharmacy, drugs and medical consumables
✔Pharmacy service charges
✔Patient food as per hospital menu
✔Free: airport pick-up & drop, visa invitation letter, interpreter & coordinator (Satyug Healthcare)

✗ Exclusion

✖Overstay beyond the 6 package days
✖Extra ICU / ventilator days due to complications
✖Any other specialty consultations
✖Special equipment
✖Additional procedures or surgery
✖Blood and blood components
✖PET-CT, EBUS biopsy and advanced investigations
✖Chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy
✖Flights, visa fees, hotel and local travel

Know More About Procedure & Surgery

🇮🇳 CANCER SURGERY PACKAGE — INDIA

Pneumonectomy (Lung Removal) Surgery in India

Surgical removal of one whole lung for central lung cancer and selected other tumours, done by experienced thoracic surgical oncologists at accredited Indian cancer hospitals with modern ICU care – at a fraction of Western costs.

✅ Free Medical Opinion in 48–72 h🫁 Expert Thoracic Surgeons💰 Starting USD 5,014✈️ Visa & Airport Support🗣️ Interpreter Available

⏱️

3–5 hrs

Surgery time

🏥

6 days

Hospital stay

📈

~93–95%

30-day survival

📅

3–4 weeks

Total stay in India

📖 What is a Pneumonectomy?

We have two lungs. The right lung has three parts (lobes) and the left has two. Air reaches them through the windpipe and two main tubes called bronchi. Lung cancer that grows in the centre of the lung, near the main bronchus or the main blood vessels, cannot always be removed by taking out just one lobe.

A pneumonectomy is an operation to remove one entire lung, together with its lymph nodes. It is done through a cut on the side of the chest (thoracotomy), or in selected cases by keyhole (VATS) surgery. The space left behind slowly fills with fluid and scar tissue. Most people can live a normal, though less strenuous, life with one healthy lung. An extrapleural pneumonectomy also removes the lining of the lung and is used for mesothelioma. Whenever possible, surgeons prefer a smaller operation such as lobectomy or sleeve lobectomy.

🩺 Conditions Treated

🫁

Central non-small cell lung cancer

Tumour involving the main bronchus or main lung vessels.

🎗️

Large tumours crossing lobes

Cancer spreading across the fissure into more than one lobe.

🔗

Cancer with hilar lymph nodes

Nodes stuck to the main vessels, after chemotherapy if needed.

🧱

Pleural mesothelioma (selected)

Extrapleural pneumonectomy in specialised centres.

🦠

Destroyed lung

Lung destroyed by tuberculosis or chronic infection (non-cancer).

🔬

Carcinoid and other central tumours

Slow-growing tumours in the main airway when sleeve resection is not possible.

⚠️ Symptoms That May Need Evaluation

➤Persistent cough for more than 3 weeks
➤Coughing up blood
➤Chest pain
➤Breathlessness

➤Repeated chest infections or pneumonia
➤Unexplained weight loss
➤Hoarse voice
➤Tiredness and loss of appetite

💡 Pneumonectomy is only advised when a smaller operation cannot remove the cancer. Lobectomy or sleeve lobectomy is preferred when possible. Patients with cancer spread to distant organs, or with lungs too weak to manage on one side, are treated with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted drugs or radiotherapy instead.

🔬 Tests Before Treatment

Test	Why it is done
CT scan of the chest	Shows the size and location of the tumour and lymph nodes.
PET-CT scan	Checks for spread to lymph nodes and other organs.
Bronchoscopy / EBUS biopsy	Confirms the cancer type and stages the lymph nodes.
Pulmonary function tests with DLCO	Measure lung capacity to predict breathing after one lung is removed.
Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan	Shows how much each lung contributes to breathing.
Cardiopulmonary exercise test / stair climb	Assesses fitness for major lung surgery in borderline cases.
MRI brain, ECG, echo and blood tests	Rule out brain spread and check heart, kidney and liver fitness.

🏥 The Procedure — Step by Step

Tumour board planning

Surgeon, oncologist and pulmonologist decide on surgery and any chemotherapy first.

Lung fitness tests

Breathing tests confirm you can manage with one lung.

Admission and anaesthesia

General anaesthesia with a double-lumen tube and an epidural for pain.

Opening the chest

A cut is made between the ribs on the side of the chest (or keyhole ports).

Dividing blood vessels

The pulmonary artery and veins of the lung are tied and divided.

Dividing the main bronchus

The main airway is stapled and closed, often covered with tissue.

Removing the lung and nodes

The lung and the lymph nodes around it are removed.

Closure

The chest is closed, sometimes with a drain to balance fluid.

ICU care

1–2 days of close monitoring in the ICU or high-dependency unit.

Recovery and discharge

Breathing physiotherapy, walking and discharge around day 6.

⚖️ Types & Techniques

Technique	What is done	Best for
Standard pneumonectomy	Removal of the whole right or left lung with nodes	Central lung cancer
Intrapericardial pneumonectomy	Vessels divided inside the heart sac	Tumours very close to the heart
Extrapleural pneumonectomy	Lung, pleura, part of diaphragm and pericardium removed	Selected mesothelioma
VATS pneumonectomy	Keyhole removal through small cuts	Selected patients in expert centres
Sleeve lobectomy (alternative)	Lobe and part of bronchus removed, airway rejoined	To avoid removing the whole lung

📊 Large surgical databases report a 30-day mortality of about 5–7% for pneumonectomy (higher for right-sided operations) compared with about 1–2% for lobectomy, which is why lung-sparing surgery is preferred whenever possible.

📅 Your Day-by-Day Plan in India

Day	What happens
Day 1	Arrival in India ✈️, airport pick-up, hotel check-in
Day 2–4	Thoracic surgeon consultation, PET-CT/PFT review, fitness tests and tumour board
Day 5	Admission and pneumonectomy
Day 6–7	ICU / high-dependency care and breathing physiotherapy
Day 8–10	Ward recovery and walking (6 days in hospital)
Day 11–20	Rest at hotel, wound check, histopathology report, oncologist plan
Day 21–25	Final review, chest X-ray and fitness to fly – Fly home ✈️

🌱 Recovery After Treatment

🫁

Week 1

ICU then ward; breathing exercises, sitting up and short walks.

🚶

Week 2–3

Walking a little more each day; mild breathlessness is normal.

✈️

Week 3–4

Fit to fly after surgeon review and chest X-ray.

💼

Week 6–8

Return to light work; avoid heavy lifting.

💊

Month 1–3

Chemotherapy or immunotherapy if advised by the oncologist.

🏃

Month 3–6

Breathing and stamina improve as the body adapts to one lung.

🏆 Success Rate

Outcome	Result
30-day survival	About 93–95%
5-year survival – stage I–II NSCLC	About 40–60%
5-year survival – stage III NSCLC	About 20–30%
Return to independent daily life	Most patients
Bronchial stump leak (fistula)	About 2–5%

Results depend on the cancer stage, lymph node status, the patient's lung and heart fitness, right versus left side, and completing chemotherapy or immunotherapy when needed.

🩹 Risks & Possible Complications

Pneumonectomy is one of the bigger chest operations and has higher risks than smaller lung surgeries.

•Irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) – about 15–20%
•Pneumonia or breathing difficulty – about 10%
•Long-term breathlessness on exertion
•Bronchopleural fistula (airway stump leak) – about 2–5%
•Fluid build-up in the lungs (post-pneumonectomy oedema) – about 2–5%
•Empyema (infection in the chest space) – about 2–5%
•Death within 30 days – about 5–7% in large series

💰 Cost of Pneumonectomy in India

The cost of pneumonectomy in India starts from about USD 5,014 with 6 days in a single room. This includes surgery, surgeon and anaesthetist fees, operation theatre, room, routine medicines and consumables, basic tests and food. PET-CT, EBUS biopsy, extra ICU days, blood products and chemotherapy are charged separately.

Option / Hospital tier	Approx. cost (USD)	Hospital stay	Notes
Pneumonectomy – this package (single room)	5,014	6 days	Open surgery with lymph node clearance
Pneumonectomy – premium hospital	7,000 – 9,500	6–8 days	Top-tier Delhi NCR / Mumbai centres
Lobectomy (VATS / robotic)	6,500 – 9,000	4–5 days	Lung-sparing option when possible
Extrapleural pneumonectomy	10,000 – 14,000	8–12 days	Mesothelioma, highly specialised

⚠️ Final cost depends on tumour size and stage, need for extra ICU care, blood products, preoperative chemotherapy and hospital chosen. Quotes are confirmed after the specialist examines the patient in India.

Pneumonectomy cost comparison India USA UK Turkey

📋 What the Package Includes

✅ Included

✔Surgeon & anaesthetist fees
✔Operation theatre charges
✔6 days in a single room
✔Routine medicines & consumables
✔Basic investigations
✔Patient food
✔Consultation by the primary team

❌ Not Included

✖Extra hospital / ICU days
✖PET-CT, EBUS and advanced tests
✖Blood components
✖Other specialty consultations
✖Chemotherapy / immunotherapy
✖Special equipment
✖Flights, visa & hotel

✈️ Your Medical Travel Process with Satyug Healthcare

Medical travel journey to India for Pneumonectomy

Step	Details
1. Send reports	CT chest with contrast, PET-CT, biopsy / bronchoscopy report, pulmonary function tests (with DLCO if done), ECG/echo, and a list of current medicines and smoking history.
2. Free opinion & quotes	Within 48-72 hours you receive opinions and cost estimates from 3-5 leading hospitals to compare.
3. Choose hospital & doctor	We help you compare doctors, success rates, room options and total budget.
4. Medical visa	The hospital issues a Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) to the Indian Embassy. The patient and up to 2 attendants apply for an e-Medical / Medical Attendant visa.
5. Travel planning	Flight guidance, wheelchair assistance, airport pick-up, hotel or guest house near the hospital.
6. Treatment in India	Your coordinator and interpreter stay with you for admission, treatment, discharge and billing.
7. Return & follow-up	Fit-to-fly letter, medicines, and online follow-up with your doctor after you return home.

🎒 Travel Checklist

📌Valid passport (6+ months) for the patient and attendants, plus 10 passport-size photos each
📌Medical visa / e-visa and the hospital’s Visa Invitation Letter
📌All CT, PET-CT, biopsy and lung function reports, scans on CD / link and prescriptions
📌Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for travellers from African countries)
📌Polio vaccination certificate where applicable
📌Declare cash above USD 5,000 at the airport; hospitals accept wire transfer and cards
📌Foreigners staying longer than permitted must register with the FRRO — our team assists

⭐ Why Choose Satyug Healthcare?

🏥

Top Accredited Hospitals

Leading thoracic and cancer surgery centres such as Medanta – The Medicity, Max Saket, Fortis Gurugram (FMRI), Artemis, BLK-Max, Apollo, Manipal, Kokilaben and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute.

👨‍⚕️

Senior Specialists

Operations are performed by senior thoracic surgical oncologists with dedicated cardiothoracic anaesthesia, ICU and chest physiotherapy teams.

💵

Transparent Pricing

Multiple written quotes to compare — no hidden charges, no extra fee for our service.

🤝

End-to-End Support

Visa, airport pick-up, accommodation, interpreter and 24/7 coordinator.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What is the cost of pneumonectomy in India?

It starts from about USD 5,014 with 6 days in a single room, including surgery, anaesthesia, routine medicines and basic tests. Premium hospitals and complex cases cost USD 7,000–14,000.

➤ How long will I stay in India?

Plan for about 3–4 weeks: a few days of tests, 6 days in hospital, then 2 weeks of recovery before you are fit to fly.

➤ Can I live normally with one lung?

Yes, most people manage daily life well with one healthy lung. You may feel breathless with heavy exercise or climbing many stairs.

➤ Why remove the whole lung and not just the tumour?

When the tumour is in the centre near the main airway or vessels, the whole lung may be the only way to remove all the cancer. Surgeons always try lobectomy or sleeve lobectomy first.

➤ What is the success rate?

About 93–95% of patients recover from surgery in good centres. Long-term cure depends on stage: about 40–60% at 5 years for early-stage cancer.

➤ Is it painful?

There is pain from the chest cut, but an epidural or nerve block and painkillers control it well. Some chest wall soreness can last a few months.

➤ Will I need chemotherapy?

Many patients need chemotherapy or immunotherapy before or after surgery, based on the stage. This can be given in India or at home.

➤ When can I fly home?

Usually about 2–3 weeks after surgery, after a chest X-ray and the surgeon confirms your oxygen levels are good.

➤ When can I return to work?

Light work after 6–8 weeks. Physical jobs may need 3 months or longer.

➤ What are the main risks?

Irregular heartbeat, chest infection, airway stump leak, fluid in the lungs and empyema. The overall risk is higher than lobectomy, and the team discusses this with you before surgery.

➤ Can elderly patients have pneumonectomy?

Age alone is not the barrier, but risk rises above 70. Lung and heart tests decide fitness, and a smaller operation or radiotherapy may be safer.

➤ Do I need to stop smoking?

Yes. Stopping at least 4 weeks before surgery greatly lowers breathing complications and helps healing.

➤ How many attendants can come?

1–2 attendants can come. Satyug Healthcare provides visa invitation letters for medical and medical-attendant visas.

➤ What follow-up is needed after going home?

CT scans every 6 months for 2 years, then yearly, plus oncologist reviews. Our coordinator arranges online consultations with your surgeon.

💬 Get a Free Opinion & Cost Estimate

Send your medical reports today and receive opinions from India’s top specialists within 48-72 hours.

📞 +91-8860606766 | +91-9910655125 | ✉️ query@satyughealthcare.com

Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a qualified specialist. Treatment plans and costs are confirmed only after the patient is examined. Sources: NCBI StatPearls: Pneumonectomy; NCCN Guidelines – Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer; ESTS/ACCP guidelines on physiological evaluation before lung resection; STS General Thoracic Surgery Database outcomes; Cleveland Clinic – Pneumonectomy. Infographics: Satyug Healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a chest tube after a pneumonectomy?

Because there is no lung tissue to expand, negative pressure in the post pneumonectomy space serves no purpose at all. Moreover, it causes mediastinal shift, with all of its undesirable consequences. Suction should never be applied, and the tube should be removed after 24 hours.