Cancer Treatment and Costs in Lagos, Nigeria

Category : Gastric Cancer | Sub Category : Gastric Cancer Posted on 2026-03-06 13:41:11

Lagos is one of the leading cities in Nigeria for cancer care, offering both government and private facilities that provide screening, diagnosis, treatment, and patient support. Understanding what treatments are available and how much they typically cost can help patients plan their care.

Treatments Available

1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to target and destroy cancer cells. All major centres in Lagos, including Medserve-LUTH and Lakeshore Cancer Centre, provide chemotherapy as part of their treatment services.

2. Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Centres like Medserve-LUTH Cancer Centre are equipped with modern linear accelerators to treat different types of cancer.

3. Supportive Care
Supportive care is essential in cancer treatment. This includes counselling, nutrition advice, pain management, and follow-up care to improve quality of life during and after treatment.

4. Screening and Diagnostics
Early detection is key. Centres like Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre provide imaging tests such as CT scans, mammograms, and ultrasounds, as well as laboratory tests and biopsies to stage cancer accurately.

Typical Cost Ranges

Costs vary depending on the type of hospital, cancer, and treatment plan. Most patients in Nigeria pay out-of-pocket, though some have insurance or can access NGO support.

• Chemotherapy: ₦150,000 to ₦500,000 per session. Full treatment plans can cost between ₦1.5 million and ₦5 million.

• Radiotherapy: ₦250,000 per session in government hospitals; up to ₦1 million per session in private hospitals.

• Overall Treatment: Including chemo, radiotherapy, diagnostics, consultations, and supportive care, a full year of treatment can cost ₦2 million to ₦5 million or more.

Additional costs may include specialist consultations, hospital stays, medications, and travel or lodging for patients coming from outside Lagos.

How to Reduce Costs

• Health Insurance: Some Nigerian insurance plans now cover parts of chemotherapy or diagnostic tests.

• NGO Support: Organisations like Sebeccly Cancer Care provide grants or partial funding for treatment.

• Payment Plans: Some hospitals allow patients to pay in instalments instead of upfront.

Real Challenges

Despite improvements in Lagos, cancer treatment is still expensive, and most Nigerians pay out-of-pocket. Many families rely on community support, loans, or fundraising to complete treatment.

Lagos now offers some of the most advanced cancer care in Nigeria, with centres like Medserve-LUTH, Marcelle Ruth, and Lakeshore Cancer Centre providing comprehensive treatment options and support for patients.