The Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment for mesothelioma can be expensive. Patients should be aware of their health insurance coverage and keep an eye on all medical expenses.
Medicare and private health insurance typically cover many of these costs. There are financial assistance programs that could help. Other expenses include travel, lodging, caregiving, and lost income.
Surgery
Patients and their families are overwhelmed by a mesothelioma diagnosis. Certain mesothelioma expenses are covered by insurance, however, many suffer from unexpected costs. Living and travel expenses, medical bills, and other expenses associated with maintaining a high quality of life when undergoing treatment are covered. These costs can quickly add-up. There are many resources that can assist mesothelioma patients pay for their treatment. These resources include government programs, funding options and veterans benefits.
Mesothelioma surgery typically involves removing portions of the lung or pleura in which cancer cells are located. This can lessen or reduce symptoms and improve the chances of survival. Patients must be in good health to undergo surgery. They must also be able to manage the negative side effects of mesothelioma treatment.
The cost of surgery is different dependent on the kind of procedure the surgeon performs and the patient's health coverage. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) mesothelioma surgeries comprise only a small portion of the total annual costs for lung cancer. However, mesothelioma treatments require specialized care and can be lengthy.
To determine if mesothelioma is present, the doctor will conduct a physical exam and request imaging scans, such as chest Xrays or CT scans, to look for any abnormalities in the pleura or lungs. If the symptoms and test results show mesothelioma the doctor will recommend an in-person biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A needle biopsy, thoracoscopy, and other surgical procedures can be used to perform biopsies to collect tissue samples.
Another option for surgery for pleural mesothelioma is the removal of the pleura on one side of the chest. The surgeon creates a large chest wound called a thoracotomy and removes the affected pleura. Then, they replace it with a special medical mesh. This procedure is referred to as pleurectomy decortication or EPP. It is also possible for surgeons to leave the lungs in place while removing the pleural lining, and replacing it with a specially-designed mesh layer. This is known as an extended pleurectomy décortication or P/D.
Other mesothelioma treatments include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The cost of a standard cisplatin and pemetrexed chemotherapy regimen is between $40,000 and $50,000 for a treatment spread over a period of time. The cost of radiation therapy is also high for mesothelioma. The treatment for mesothelioma with radiation is also costly. According to the National Cancer Institute, the cost of radiation therapy could vary from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the amount and type of treatment.
Chemotherapy
A variety of unexpected costs could be incurred by victims of mesothelioma, which is difficult to predict. These expenses may include travel, lodging and medical expenses. These expenses can mount up quickly and leave families with a substantial financial burden. Understanding the financial aid available can help offset these costs.
The cost of chemotherapy can be affected by the mesothelioma-specific treatment regimen and health insurance coverage. However, one study found that the average cost of a first-line mesothelioma chemotherapy regimen was between $40,000 to $50,000 per year, which includes drug costs and hospitalizations to treat the toxicity.
Other diagnostic tests like MRI and CT scans, blood tests, and biopsies are also expensive. A biopsy is the most reliable method to identify mesothelioma. A surgeon has to cut the chest wall, or lungs and remove the tissue for laboratory testing. The procedure of biopsy typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the method employed. Other diagnostic procedures, such as pleuroscopy and thoracoscopy are less invasive. However they can be quite expensive. They can cost up to $15,000. Patients suffering from mesothelioma typically require multiple MRIs and CT scans in order to determine the severity.
Medical specialists will also have to monitor patients throughout the course of treatment for signs of complications, for instance excessive fluid buildup. These tests are not covered by insurance. Other out-of-pocket expenses for mesothelioma patients can include hospitalization to flush excess fluid from the lungs and pleural space.
Treatment for mesothelioma with radiation is not a costly treatment, as it is very similar to lung cancer radiation treatments and is usually covered by most health insurance plans. However certain experimental mesothelioma treatments or treatments aren't accessible to the general public and can have a much higher price tag than traditional treatments. These medications are usually offered to patients participating in clinical research trials or advanced cancer treatment centers.
The cost of a diagnosis as well as treatment for mesothelioma can assist patients understand the amount they will be expected to pay for each stage of their care. They can then make informed choices regarding their medical treatment and financial assistance options.
Radiation Therapy
The radiation procedure is usually the last step of many mesothelioma treatments. This procedure is able to kill any remaining cancerous cells and improve the patient's outlook. Radiation therapy is used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. Patients should discuss the expense of radiation with their physicians and ask for more details about what to expect.
Other medical expenses could also be incurred by those suffering from mesothelioma. These expenses can include mesothelioma-specific prescriptions or tests, as well as doctor's visits. Depending on the individual and their treatment plan, these costs can add up quickly.
According to a 2014 National Institute of Health (NIH) study, mesothelioma per-patient hospital costs were quite high. The average annual cost for lung cancers mesothelioma included, was US$41,709,687. This included inpatient treatment, ambulatory services, and outpatient services.
Mesothelioma patients must always speak to their doctors about their specific requirements and concerns. This can cut expenses by avoiding unnecessary or redundant procedures. Doctors can also provide advice for patients on ways to cut costs by finding the best prices for prescriptions and discounts.
The most commonly used mesothelioma drugs are name brand medications like Alimta or Cisplatin. The cost of these drugs can vary depending on the number of rounds a patient receives and the kind of mesothelioma treatment they are receiving will have an impact on the total cost of their treatment.
The costs for surgery are also costly. Patients with mesothelioma of the pleural are usually required to undergo a more intense surgical procedure than lung cancer patients. This means that surgeons may require larger incisions and employ more intensive techniques, which could result in more expensive costs.
Due to the mesothelioma natural treatment high-cost nature mesothelioma sufferers, many will face financial difficulties. In addition to the high medical bills, victims of mesothelioma will also likely have to pay additional expenses related to living. This may include transportation, childcare and accommodation. Mesothelioma patients might be unable to work, affecting their ability to pay for these expenses. This is why it is crucial for mesothelioma victims to know their rights to compensation.
Other Treatments
Mesothelioma treatment options may include other treatments to fight cancer, depending on the patient's health. These might include chemotherapy, which utilizes cancer-fighting drugs to shrink tumors and kill them radiation therapy, which uses high-energy X-rays or particles to destroy mesothelioma cells or targeted therapy, which attacks mesothelioma cells with specific molecules, without harming healthy tissue.
Mesothelioma doctors might use these additional treatments to extend the lifespan of patients and also to help ease symptoms and improve the quality of life. These treatments for cancer are part of a multimodal treatment plan, which includes chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.
If a patient suffers from peritoneal Sarcoidosis, surgeons can use a combination of treatment and surgery known as heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). HIPEC is a very advanced procedure that involves injecting cancer-fighting drugs directly into the abdomen to target the tumors. This treatment has helped a lot of patients overcome mesothelioma and prolong their lives.
Doctors might also use photodynamic therapy to treat mesothelioma pleural. This treatment uses a special drug to make tumors more sensitive to the body's own natural defenses. It can shrink the size of tumors or even cause them to disintegrate.
A procedure called thoracoscopic pleurodesis can be used to eliminate pleural effusions or pleural fluids. This procedure involves putting a small tube through the chest wall to drain any excess fluid and then sealing it using medical-grade talc.
A patient's mesothelioma treatment team may also comprise a GP, an asbestos specialist or mesothelioma physician; a pulmonologist or chest surgeon who treats mesothelioma and diagnoses it; radiologists who interpret diagnostic scans and a medical doctor or radiation oncologist. Patients should consider the possibility of participating in clinical trials with their mesothelioma specialist.
Because mesothelioma is so rare it is difficult for doctors to have expertise treating it. But top mesothelioma attorneys have access to leading experts in this field and are able to suggest the best mesothelioma physician for each case. They can also assist patients and their families secure the compensation they deserve for mesothelioma-related costs. These funds can cover medical bills and assist families in the event that a patient dies from mesothelioma or a different asbestos-related disease.