The Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment
Treatment for mesothelioma can be expensive. Patients should have an understanding of the coverage of their health insurance and keep track of all medical expenses.
Private health insurance and Medicare typically cover many of the costs associated with mesothelioma treatment. There are financial assistance programs that can assist. Other expenses include travel and accommodation, caregiving and loss of income.
Surgery
Patients and their families are overwhelmed by the mesothelioma diagnosis. Some mesothelioma costs are covered by insurance however, many patients face unexpected expenses. Travel and living expenses, medical bills, and other expenses associated with maintaining a high quality of life during treatment are covered. These expenses can quickly add up. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help mesothelioma sufferers pay for their treatment. These include government programs, funding options and benefits for veterans.
Mesothelioma surgery usually involves the removal of parts of the lung or pleura, where cancer cells are located. This can lessen or reduce symptoms and increase the survival rate. However patients must be healthy to undergo surgery. They should also be able to manage the side effects of mesothelioma treatment.
The cost of surgery varies on the type of procedure that is performed by the surgeon and the insurance coverage of the patient. 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 specialized care and can be lengthy.
A doctor will perform a physical examination and order imaging scans such as chest X-rays or CT scans to determine abnormalities in the pleura and lungs. If the symptoms and test results show mesothelioma the doctor will request a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Biopsies can take place by needle biopsy, thoracoscopy or any other surgical procedure.
Another option for pleural cancer surgery is to remove the pleura from one side of the chest. The surgeon creates a large chest wound, referred to as a “thoracotomy” and removes the affected tissue. The surgeon replaces it with an medical mesh. This procedure is referred to as EPP or pleurectomy decortication. The surgeon may leave the lungs unharmed while removing the pleural lining. This is then replaced by mesh. This is known as an extended pleurectomy décortication or P/D.
The use of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also options for treating mesothelioma. The average cost for a standard cisplatin and pemetrexed chemotherapy regimen is between $40,000 and $50,000 per treatment spread over a period of time. The treatment for mesothelioma with radiation is also expensive. Radiation therapy for mesothelioma is also expensive. According to the National Cancer Institute, the cost of radiation therapy could range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the quantity and type of treatment.
Chemotherapy
Mesothelioma sufferers can face a myriad of unexpected expenses that can be difficult to anticipate. These costs can include medical as well as travel and lodging expenses while undergoing treatment. These costs can add up quickly and leave families with significant financial burden. The cost can be reduced by gaining knowledge of financial assistance options.
The cost of chemotherapy can be affected by the mesothelioma-specific treatment regimen and health insurance coverage. A study has found that the average cost of a mesothelioma’s first-line chemotherapy regimen ranges from $40,000 and $50,000 per year. This includes the cost of drugs and hospitalizations to manage toxicity.
Another major expense of mesothelioma is the cost of additional diagnostic tests, such as MRI and CT scans, blood tests and biopsies. A biopsy is the only method to be able to determine the presence of mesothelioma. A surgeon must cut into the lungs, or chest wall and remove the tissues for laboratory testing. The cost of a biopsy procedure could range from $5,000 to $10,000, based on the method. Other methods of diagnosis, such as pleuroscopy and thoracoscopy, are less invasive. However they can be extremely expensive. They can cost up to $15,000. Patients suffering from mesothelioma typically require multiple MRIs and CT scans to determine the severity.
Medical specialists will also need to watch patients for signs of a problem such as excessive fluid accumulation. These tests are not covered by insurance. Other out-of-pocket costs for mesothelioma patients could include hospitalization to flush excess fluid from the lungs and pleural space.
Treatment for mesothelioma with radiation is not a costly treatment since it is very similar to lung cancer radiation therapies and is generally covered by most health insurance plans. However certain mesothelioma drugs or therapies aren’t accessible to the general public and may come with a higher price tag than traditional treatments. These drugs are usually offered to patients in clinical research trials or advanced treatment centers.
Tracking the costs associated with a diagnosis and treatment for mesothelioma can help patients understand how much they’ll have to pay at every stage of their treatment. They can then make informed decisions regarding their treatment and financial options.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation is often the final step in many mesothelioma therapies. This treatment can help kill any remaining cancerous cells and improve the outlook of patients. Radiation therapy is used alone or in combination with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. Patients should speak with their doctor about the cost of radiation and what to expect.
Mesothelioma patients may be confronted with a variety of medical costs as well. These expenses can include specialized mesothelioma medications as well as additional tests and doctor visits. These expenses can quickly add up depending on the patient’s treatment plan and their personal circumstances.
According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health in 2014, hospital costs for mesothelioma patients were high. The cost per year for hospitalization for lung cancer, including mesothelioma was US$41.709,687. This included the cost of inpatient care, ambulatory visits and outpatient services.
Patients with mesothelioma should always discuss their needs and concerns with their doctors. This can help reduce costs since it will stop a patient from having unnecessary or duplicative procedures performed. Additionally, a victim’s doctors can provide suggestions on how to cut costs by finding the best discounts and prices for prescriptions available.
The most commonly used mesothelioma drugs are generic medications such as Alimta or Cisplatin. The cost of these drugs can vary, as the amount of rounds a patient is given and the kind of mesothelioma treatment that they are receiving will impact on the total cost of their treatment.
The cost of surgery can be costly. Pleural mesothelioma can be more serious than lung cancer and requires more intensive surgery. This could result in surgeons needing to use more invasive techniques and create larger incisions, which could increase costs.
Many patients will face major financial challenges because of the high cost of mesothelioma. In addition to the huge medical bills mesothelioma sufferers will also have to pay for living expenses that are not included in the insurance. This could include childcare costs as well as transportation and lodging. Mesothelioma patients might also find it difficult to work, which could affect their ability to pay for these costs. This is why it is important for victims to know their rights to receive compensation.
Other Treatments
Mesothelioma treatments may include other cancer-fighting therapies depending on the patient’s health. Radiation therapy or high-energy X-rays are used to eliminate mesothelioma cancerous cells.
These additional treatments may be employed by doctors to prolong the life of a patient, relieve symptoms, and improve their quality of life. These treatments for cancer are part of a multimodality treatment plan, which includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
If a patient is suffering from peritoneal sarcoidosis, surgeons may opt for a combination of treatment and surgery called heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). HIPEC is a sophisticated procedure where doctors inject cancer-fighting drugs into the abdomen to target tumors. This treatment has helped a lot of mesothelioma patients remain healthy and live longer.
Doctors may also opt for photodynamic therapy to treat pleural mesothelioma. This treatment makes use of a drug to make tumors more sensitive to the body’s natural defenses. It can decrease the size of or even eliminate tumors.
In addition, doctors might drain pleural effusions, or fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, by using a procedure known as thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis. This procedure involves the insertion a small tube into the chest wall to drain excess fluid, and then sealing it with Talc that is medical grade.
A patient’s mesothelioma team will likely also include a general physician as well as an asbestos specialist or mesothelioma physician; chest surgeon or pulmonologist who diagnoses and treat mesothelioma. Also included are radiologists who interpret diagnostic scans as well as radiation oncologists. Patients should discuss the possibility of clinical trials with their mesothelioma physician.
There are a few doctors who have treated mesothelioma as it is so rare. However, top mesothelioma lawyers have access to leading experts in this field and can recommend the most effective mesothelioma doctor for each case. They can also assist patients and their families secure the amount they are due for their mesothelioma-related expenses. new mesothelioma treatment options can be used to cover medical expenses and to provide support for the family in the event that a patient dies from mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related disease.
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