The Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment for mesothelioma is expensive. Patients should have an understanding of the coverage of their health insurance and keep records of all medical expenses.
Private health insurance and Medicare generally cover a majority of the expenses associated with mesothelioma treatment. There are financial assistance programs that could help. Other expenses include lodging, travel caregiving, and loss of income.
Surgery
The diagnosis of mesothelioma is a major burden for patients and their families. Insurance covers certain costs, but a lot of sufferers face unexpected costs. These include travel and living expenses, medical bills and other costs related to maintaining the quality of life while in treatment. These costs can quickly add-up. There are a variety of options available to help mesothelioma sufferers pay for their treatment. These include government funding options, veterans benefits and government programs.
In most cases, mesothelioma is treated by removal of the affected pleura, or lung. This can reduce or control symptoms and improve the chance of survival. However, patients must be fairly healthy to undergo surgery. They should also be able to cope with the side effects of mesothelioma treatments.
The cost of surgery varies according to the type of procedure the surgeon is performing and the patient's health insurance. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), mesothelioma surgeries make up just a tiny portion of the annual costs for lung cancer. Mesothelioma treatment is often lengthy and requires specialized treatment.
A doctor will perform an examination of the body and will request imaging scans like chest X-rays or CT scans to look for abnormalities in the lungs or pleura. If the test results and symptoms suggest mesothelioma, the doctor will recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Biopsies can be done with a needle biopsy thoracoscopy, or other surgical procedures.
Another surgery option for pleural mesothelioma is the removal of the pleura on one side of the chest. The surgeon creates a huge wound in the chest called an a thoracotomy. They then remove the affected pleura. The surgeon replaces it with a medical mesh layer. This operation is called pleurectomy decortication, also known as EPP. It is also possible for a surgeon to let the lungs remain in place, while removing the pleural lining and replacing it with a specialized mesh layer. This is referred to as an extended pleurectomy décortication, or P/D.
Other mesothelioma treatments are chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The average cost of a standard chemotherapy regimen that includes pemetrexed and cisplatin ranges from $40,000 to $50,000 for a single treatment over the course of a few months. Radiation therapy is also expensive for mesothelioma. The treatment for mesothelioma with radiation is also expensive. According to the National Cancer Institute, the cost of radiation treatment can vary between $10,000 and $50,000 based on the amount and type of treatment.
Chemotherapy
Mesothelioma sufferers can face a myriad of unexpected costs that may be difficult to anticipate. These costs could include travel, lodging and medical expenses. These expenses can add quickly and leave families with large financial burden. Knowing the financial aid available can help offset these costs.
The cost of chemotherapy may vary greatly based on the mesothelioma treatment regimen and the patient's health insurance coverage. One study revealed that the average cost of a mesothelioma-based first-line chemotherapy regimen is $40,000 and $50,000 per year. This includes the cost of drugs as well as hospitalizations to manage toxicities.
Another major expense associated with mesothelioma is the cost for additional diagnostic tests, such as MRI and CT scans, blood tests and biopsies. A biopsy is the only way to be able to determine the presence of mesothelioma. It requires a surgeon to cut into the chest wall or lungs and remove the tissue for lab tests. The procedure of biopsy typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000, based on the method used. Other diagnostic procedures such as pleuroscopy or thoracoscopy are less invasive, but can be expensive, ranging up to $15,000. Mesothelioma patients usually require multiple MRI and CT scans to determine the extent of the disease.
Medical professionals also need to monitor patients for signs of a problem like excessive fluid accumulation. These tests are not covered by insurance. Hospitalization to eliminate excess liquid from the lungs and pleural spaces could be a cost for mesothelioma sufferers.
Radiation therapy for mesothelioma is not an expensive treatment, as it is very similar to lung cancer radiation therapies and is usually covered by most health insurance plans. However, some experimental mesothelioma medications or therapies aren't accessible to the general public and can have a much more expensive price than conventional treatments. These treatments are usually provided to patients through clinical research trials or advanced treatment centers.
Tracking the cost of mesothelioma diagnosis or treatment can help patients understand the amount they must pay for each stage of their care. They can then make informed choices regarding their medical treatment and financial aid options.
Radiation Therapy
The final step in mesothelioma treatment protocols is radiation. This treatment can help kill any remaining cancerous cells and improve the outlook of patients. The therapy can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. Patients should consult their physician about the cost of radiation and what to expect.
Other medical expenses could be incurred by those suffering from mesothelioma. These costs can include specialized mesothelioma prescriptions as well as additional tests and doctor visits. These expenses can quickly add up depending on the individual's treatment plan as well as their individual circumstances.
According to a research conducted by the National Institute of Health in 2014, hospital expenses for mesothelioma patients were relatively high. The average annual cost for lung cancers including mesothelioma was US$41,709,687. This included the cost of inpatient treatment, ambulatory visits, and outpatient services.
Mesothelioma patients should always speak to their doctor about their specific needs and concerns. This can reduce costs by preventing unnecessary or duplicate procedures. Doctors can also offer advice to patients on how to save money by locating the best prices for prescriptions and discounts.
The most frequently used mesothelioma treatments are the brand name medications such as Alimta or Cisplatin. The cost of these drugs will vary based on the number of rounds and type of treatment the patient is receiving.
The cost of surgery is also high. Pleural mesothelioma is more severe than lung cancer and requires more invasive surgery. This can lead to surgeons having to use more invasive methods and make larger incisions. This can increase costs.
Many victims will be faced with significant financial strains due to the high price of mesothelioma. In addition to the high medical bills, victims of mesothelioma may also have to pay additional living expenses. This could include childcare, transportation and accommodation. Patients with mesothelioma may also find it difficult to work, affecting their ability to pay these costs. Because of this, it is essential for patients to understand their rights to be compensated.
treatment mesothelioma
Depending on a patient's condition the treatment for mesothelioma may comprise other cancer-fighting treatments. Radiation therapy or high-energy X rays can be used to destroy mesothelioma tumor cells.
Mesothelioma doctors may employ these treatments in addition to prolong the life expectancy of patients and also help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. These treatments for cancer can be part of a multimodal treatment plan that includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
If a patient suffers from peritoneal sarcoidosis, surgeons can use an interdisciplinary treatment and surgery called heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). HIPEC is an advanced procedure where doctors inject chemotherapy drugs to the abdomen to target tumors. This treatment has helped a lot of mesothelioma patients live longer and become survivors.
Doctors may also opt for photodynamic therapy to treat pleural mesothelioma. This treatment uses a drug that makes tumors more sensitive to the body's natural defenses. It can reduce the size or even dissolve tumors.
In addition, doctors might drain pleural effusions, or fluid buildup within the chest cavity by using a procedure known as thoracoscopic pleurodesis. This procedure involves inserting a tiny tube through the chest wall to drain excess fluid, and sealing it with medical grade talc.
The mesothelioma treatment team for a patient is likely to include a general physician or asbestos specialist or mesothelioma specialist; chest surgeon or pulmonologist who diagnoses and treat mesothelioma. There is also radiologists who interpret diagnostic scans as well as radiation oncologists. Patients should discuss clinical trials as an option with their mesothelioma specialists.
There are a few doctors who have treated mesothelioma as it is a rare disease. The best mesothelioma lawyers have access to the top experts in this field and can recommend the best mesothelioma specialists for each case. They can also aid patients and their family members in getting the compensation they deserve in order to cover mesothelioma-related expenses. The funds can pay for medical bills and support the family in the event that the patient dies due to mesothelioma or a different asbestos-related disease.