Hearing that you or a loved one needs chemotherapy is one of the most frightening moments in life. The immediate fears of side effects, hair loss, and physical exhaustion are overwhelming.

When you add the stress of travelling from Bangladesh to India for this treatment, the anxiety doubles. "Where will we stay for months? How will we manage the visa? What if there is an emergency after a chemo cycle?"

For thousands of patients from Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet, Apollo Cancer Centre (with flagship hubs in Chennai and Kolkata) is the trusted sanctuary for medical oncology. They offer protocols and targeted drugs that drastically reduce side effects and deliver pinpoint accuracy to cancer cells.

But chemotherapy is not a quick surgery it is a journey that takes months. At Karetrip, we serve as your local family in India, managing your stay, hospital appointments, and visa extensions. Here is your 2026 guide to exactly what to expect when you travel to Apollo for chemotherapy.

1. The Clinical Experience: Not Just "Standard" Chemo

Many patients fear chemotherapy because of outdated perceptions. At Apollo Cancer Centre, the approach to medical oncology is highly advanced, focusing on patient comfort and targeted eradication.

Dedicated Daycare Lounges: You do not have to be admitted to a hospital ward for standard chemotherapy. Apollo features dedicated, highly sanitized Daycare infusion lounges. You sit in a comfortable recliner, watch TV or read, receive your IV infusion over a few hours, and return to your Karetrip guest house by the afternoon.

Chemo Ports (Port-a-Cath): To save your arm veins from repeated needle pricks over several months, Apollo oncologists frequently use Chemo Ports. This is a small device placed under the skin of your chest, allowing nurses to safely and painlessly deliver the drugs directly into a large vein.

Scalp Cooling Technology: One of the most traumatic side effects of chemo is hair loss. Apollo utilizes advanced Scalp Cooling machines (like the Paxman system) during your infusion. This cools the scalp, constricting blood vessels, and significantly reduces or even prevents hair loss for many patients.

2. Chemotherapy Costs at Apollo (2026 Estimates)

The cost of your treatment depends entirely on the specific drugs prescribed by your oncologist. Traditional chemotherapy is highly affordable, whereas newer Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy drugs are more expensive but carry far fewer side effects. Here are the estimated 2026 package costs. (Note: Exchange rate used is approx. 1 INR = 1.35 BDT).

3. The IVAC Visa Hurdle (And How We Beat It)

Because chemotherapy requires a long-term stay, your visa paperwork must be flawless. Bangladeshi citizens must apply via the physical IVAC centre—e-Visas are not permitted.

The Karetrip 24-Hour Solution:

You cannot get an IVAC appointment without an official Visa Invitation Letter (VIL) from Apollo. If you email the hospital directly, you might wait a week for a reply.

When you use Karetrip, we bypass the queues. We share your Bangladeshi biopsy and PET scans directly with Apollo's international desk and generate your stamped VIL within 24 hours, ensuring your treatment is not delayed by bureaucracy.

4. The "Home in India" Experience for Bengali Patients

The hardest part of chemotherapy is the physical fatigue in the days following a cycle. Recovering in a cramped hotel room is not an option.

Sanitized Service Apartments: Karetrip books you into fully furnished, ground-floor or elevator-equipped apartments close to Apollo Cancer Centre (whether you choose Kolkata or Chennai).

The Power of Familiar Food: Chemotherapy affects your taste buds and lowers your immunity (neutropenia). Having a private kitchen means your family can cook fresh, thoroughly washed, and familiar Bengali meals like soft rice and fish stew which are critical for rebuilding your white blood cell counts.

Emergency Support: If you develop a fever in the middle of the night after a chemo cycle (a common emergency), Karetrip’s on-ground team is one call away to arrange an immediate ambulance to Apollo’s emergency room.

Conclusion: Focus on Healing, We Handle the Rest

Chemotherapy is a marathon. You need a world-class medical team to administer the right drugs, and you need a reliable local support system to catch you when you are tired. Apollo Cancer Centre provides the medical excellence, and Karetrip provides the logistical safety net.

Ready to get your chemotherapy plan from Apollo?

Do not travel without knowing your exact protocol and costs. Chat with our AI agent, Rua. Securely upload your biopsy and histology reports. Rua will immediately coordinate with Apollo’s Medical Oncology team to provide a customised treatment plan, a per-cycle cost estimate, and your mandatory Visa Invitation Letter.

Medical Disclaimer

The pricing provided in this blog is an estimate for 2026 based on standard hospital tariffs. Final chemotherapy costs vary drastically depending on the specific drug combination, the patient's body surface area (BSA), and whether targeted therapies are required. Karetrip facilitates appointments, travel logistics, and accommodation, but does not provide direct medical advice.