The Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment for mesothelioma can be expensive. Patients should be aware of their health insurance coverage and keep the track of all medical expenses.
Private health insurance and Medicare typically cover a large portion of the costs of mesothelioma treatment. There are financial assistance programs that can aid. Other expenses include travel and lodging, caregiving and lost income.
Surgery
The diagnosis of mesothelioma is a major burden for patients and their families. Certain mesothelioma expenses are covered by insurance, but many people face unexpected costs. Living and travel expenses, medical bills, and other costs related to maintaining a high quality of life during treatment are covered. These additional costs can quickly increase. Fortunately, there are several resources available to help mesothelioma victims pay for their treatment. These include government programs, funding options and benefits for veterans.
In the majority of cases mesothelioma is treated through removing the affected pleura or lung. This can reduce or control symptoms and improve the chance of survival. Patients must be healthy enough to undergo surgery. They should also be able to manage the adverse effects of mesothelioma treatment.
The cost of surgery is contingent on the kind of procedure performed by the surgeon and the patient's insurance coverage. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) mesothelioma surgery accounts for just a tiny portion of the annual costs for lung cancer. However, mesothelioma treatment requires specific care and may be lengthy.
A doctor will perform a physical examination and request imaging scans, such as chest X-rays or CT scans to check for abnormalities in the pleura and lungs. If the symptom and test results indicate mesothelioma, the doctor will order a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Biopsies can take place with a needle biopsy thoracoscopy or any other surgical procedure.
Another surgery option for pleural mesothelioma involves the removal of the pleura on one side of the chest. The surgeon creates a huge chest wound called a "thoracotomy" and then removes the affected tissue. They then replace it with a special medical mesh layer. This procedure is known as EPP or pleurectomy. It is also possible for a surgeon to remove the lungs from 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 cost of an average cisplatin-pemetrexed chemotherapy regimen is between $40,000 and $50,000 for a treatment for a period of several months. Treatment for mesothelioma by radiation is also costly. The National Cancer Institute reports that the cost of mesothelioma radiotherapy ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 per treatment, based on the amount of treatment and the health coverage provider.
Chemotherapy
A variety of unexpected costs could be incurred by patients suffering from mesothelioma that are difficult to forecast. These expenses could include medication as well as travel and lodging expenses during treatment. These expenses can mount quickly and leave families with a significant financial burden. Knowing the financial aid available can help offset these costs.
The cost of chemotherapy could be affected by the mesothelioma-specific treatment regimen and health insurance coverage. However, one study found that the typical cost of a mesothelioma first-line chemotherapy regimen was between $40,000 to $50,000 annually which includes the cost of medication and hospitalizations to treat toxicities.
Additional diagnostic tests, such as MRI and CT scans and biopsies and blood tests are also costly. A biopsy is the most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma. A surgeon will cut the lungs, or chest wall and remove the tissues for laboratory testing. The procedure of biopsy typically costs between $5,000 and $10,000, based on the procedure used. Other diagnostic procedures, such as pleuroscopy or thoracoscopy are not as invasive, but they can be expensive, ranging up to $15,000. Mesothelioma patients often need multiple MRI and CT scans to determine the severity of the disease.
Medical professionals will also need to keep track of patients throughout the course of treatment for signs of complications, for instance excessive fluid buildup. Chest X-rays and an echocardiogram will help doctors determine the signs, but they aren't usually covered by health insurance. Hospitalization to eliminate excess fluid from the pleural and lungs are a different expense for mesothelioma sufferers.
Treatment for mesothelioma with radiation isn't a costly treatment, since it's very similar to lung cancer radiation therapies and is usually covered by the majority of health insurance plans. However, some experimental mesothelioma medications or treatments aren't accessible to the general public and can have a much higher cost than traditional treatments. These drugs are usually offered to patients through clinical research trials or advanced treatment centers.
Keeping track of the cost of mesothelioma diagnosis or treatment can help patients understand what they will have to pay for each step of their care. They can then make informed choices regarding their medical treatment and financial aid options.
Radiation Therapy
The radiation procedure is usually the last step of many mesothelioma treatments. pleural mesothelioma treatment can help to eliminate any cancerous cells that remain and improve the outlook of patients. The treatment can be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. Patients should discuss the cost of radiation with their physicians and request more information regarding what to expect.
Other medical costs may also be incurred by patients suffering from mesothelioma. These expenses can include mesothelioma-specific prescriptions, tests and doctor's visits. These expenses can quickly increase based on the individual's treatment plan as well as their personal situation.
According to a study carried out by the National Institute of Health in 2014, the costs of hospitalization for mesothelioma patients were relatively high. The average annual hospital cost for lung cancer, which included mesothelioma, was US$41.709,687. This included inpatient care, ambulatory services as well as outpatient services.
Patients with mesothelioma should always discuss their concerns and needs with their doctors. This can reduce expenses, since it can stop a patient from having unnecessary or duplicative procedures carried out. Doctors can also offer advice to victims on ways to cut costs by finding 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 medicines can vary depending on the amount of rounds and the type of treatment the patient is receiving.
Surgical costs can also be expensive. Patients with mesothelioma of the pleural are usually required to undergo a more intensive surgery than lung cancer patients. This can lead to surgeons having to use more invasive methods and make larger incisions. This can increase the cost.
As a result of the high-cost nature of mesothelioma, a lot of patients will face financial difficulties. In addition to the huge medical bills, those suffering from mesothelioma are also likely to have to pay additional expenses for living. This could include childcare expenses accommodation, transportation, and childcare. It can be difficult for mesothelioma victims to find work, which could affect their ability to pay these costs. Therefore, it is crucial that patients understand their rights to compensation.
Other Treatments
Depending on a patient's condition mesothelioma treatment can include other treatments to fight cancer. Radiation therapy or high-energy X-rays are used to eliminate mesothelioma cancer cells.
Mesothelioma doctors might use these treatments in addition to prolong a patient's life expectancy, and also to help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. These cancer treatments may be part of a multimodal plan which includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
If a patient suffers from peritoneal Sarcoidosis, a surgeon may use an interdisciplinary treatment and surgery called 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 recover from mesothelioma and prolong their lives.
Photodynamic therapy can also be used by doctors to treat cancer of the pleural region. This treatment makes use of a drug to make tumors sensitive to the body’s natural defenses. It can decrease the size or even dissolve tumors.
A procedure known as thoracoscopic pleurodesis can be used to drain pleural fluids or effusions. This procedure involves inserting a small tube through the chest wall to drain excess fluid and sealing it with medical grade talc.
The mesothelioma treatment team for a patient may also comprise a general practitioner or asbestos specialist or mesothelioma physician; chest surgeon or pulmonologist who diagnoses and treat mesothelioma. There is also radiologists who interpret diagnostic scans and a radiation oncologist. Patients should consider clinical trials with their mesothelioma specialists.
Few doctors have been able to treat mesothelioma since it is a rare disease. However, the top mesothelioma lawyers have access to leading experts in this field and can recommend the best mesothelioma specialist for each case. They can also help patients and their families secure the amount they are due for mesothelioma-related costs. These funds can be used to pay medical bills and assist the family in the event that the patient dies from mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness.