Sonny Guerrini, 20, had developed an Ewing’s sarcoma tumor near his spinal cord. Because of the location of the tumor, conventional radiotherapy had the danger of wreaking undesirable side effects. Hence, Sonny chose to go for CyberKnife cancer treatment in Turkey which has several major advantages over traditional radiation therapies like Gamma Knife. Medical Tourism Corporation facilitated Sonny’s CyberKnife treatment in Turkey at a very low cost.

For instance, CyberKnife can treat lesions even in areas of the body that move with respiration (like in the case of lung cancer), thanks to advanced image guidance. Also, CyberKnife does not require a head frame screwed into the skull for immobilization, avoiding the pain, headache, nausea, and risk of infection seen sometimes with stereotactic frames like Gamma Knife.

CyberKnife also effectively treats those tumors that were previously thought inoperable, like brain tumors. Other types of cancers that can be treated with CyberKnife are liver, prostate, kidney, liver, neck, spine, lung, and pancreatic cancer.

Sonny, a student at the University of Brisbane, had to go abroad for cancer treatment because Australia doesn’t have a CyberKnife center. Medical Tourism Corporation arranged Sonny’s medical trip to Turkey and took care of his needs at each step. Everything was planned in detail well in advance and Sonny and his family are extremely satisfied with the professionalism of Medical Tourism Corporation and the quality of medical care at Anadolu Medical Center in Turkey.

The cost of CyberKnife treatment in the US can be anywhere between $50,000-$100,000. But Turkey provides very low cost CyberKnife cancer treatment at prices well below $20,000. The quality of the treatment is the same as in the US for the simple reason that the machine used to deliver the treatment is the same. Also, Turkey has very well-qualified and experienced oncologists who speak English fluently. Hence, there is no fear of the low cost of cancer treatment compromising on the quality.

A number of people from overseas visit India for cost savings on cervical disc replacement. Costa Rica is another country where the cervical disc replacement costs compared to North America and Europe is quite low.

This article focuses on the things you should keep in mind while looking for a cervical disc replacement hospital in India. FDA approved this procedure in July 2007, although it has been performed successfully for many years in Europe and India.

Cervical disc replacement is an effective treatment for people suffering from disc herniations (where the inner core pushes back into the spinal canal). In cervical disc replacement, an artificial disc is inserted in place of the inter-vertebral disc.

Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement is considered a better option than spinal fusion for treating cervical disc herniation. This is because cervical disc replacement maintains normal neck motion and helps the patient return to normal activity faster.

In this procedure, the surgeon removes the damaged disc and replaces it with an artificial disc made of stainless steel. The artificial disc has a ball in trough design to simulate natural neck movement. The patient is typically hospitalized for 1-2 days and can return to work in 45 days (Refer: Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago).

The main reason for India’s popularity as a medical tourism destination is its cost effectiveness. A cervical disc replacement surgery can cost around US $ 30,000 to $ 40,000 in USA, Canada or Europe. Also, as it is a new cervical disc replacement treatment in the US, it is not covered by all private insurers.

Therefore, patients who cannot afford to spend too much opt for getting the surgery done in India where the cost of the surgery is as low as $ 8,500 in one of the best brain and spine hospitals. Even after you add travel and accommodation costs, a cervical disc replacement surgery in India can result in substantial cost savings.

Another reason for India’s popularity is its impressive pool of medical expertise. India has many surgeons who have gained their work experience in the US and UK. When looking for a cervical disc replacement hospital in India, verify that the surgeon you are considering has specialized in orthopedics. The surgeon should have a Master of Surgery (M.S. or M.CH.) degree in orthopedics and must have undergone specialized training in spine surgery and cervical disc replacement. Ideally, the surgeon should have at least 5 years of experience.

An ideal cervical disc replacement hospital in India provides an all-inclusive package at a fixed price. Also, make sure the hospital is internationally accredited. Preferably, the hospital should be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). JCI is a non-governmental body in the US which accredits international hospitals that meet exacting American standards.

A JCI-accredited hospital follows international standards of quality and cleanliness and has state-of-the-art technology. You should also ensure that the hospital has a fully-equipped operating room with specialized equipment, such as the Jackson Spine Table. It should also have a diagnostic center with facilities for MRI scan and computed tomography.

Medical Tourism Corporation (MedicalTourismCo.com) facilitates cervical disc replacement and other surgery at world-class hospitals abroad. You can submit a request for a free quote and more information.

Refer: Is Cervical Disc Replacement For You?