The Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment
The treatment for mesothelioma is costly. Patients should be aware of their health insurance coverage and keep track of all medical costs.
Medicare and private health insurance generally cover a large portion of these costs. There are financial assistance programs that can aid. Other expenses include accommodation, travel caregiving, and loss of income.
Surgery
The diagnosis of mesothelioma is a major burden for patients and their families. Certain mesothelioma expenses are covered by insurance however, many patients face unexpected costs. Living and travel expenses, medical bills and other costs associated with maintaining your health when undergoing treatment are covered. These costs can quickly mount up. There are a variety of options available to help mesothelioma sufferers pay for their treatment. These resources include government programs, funding options and veterans benefits.
In most cases mesothelioma is treated through removal of the affected pleura, or lung. This can reduce or control symptoms and increase the chances of survival. Patients must be healthy enough to undergo surgery. They should also be able manage the side effects of mesothelioma therapies.
The cost of surgery depends on the kind of procedure performed by the surgeon and the patient's insurance coverage. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) mesothelioma surgeries comprise a small percentage of total annual costs for lung cancer. However, mesothelioma treatments require specific care and may be long.
A doctor will perform an examination of the body and will request imaging scans like chest X-rays or CT scans to check for abnormalities in the pleura or lungs. If the test results and symptoms indicate mesothelioma the doctor will order biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Biopsies can take place by needle biopsy, thoracoscopy or any other surgical procedure.
Another option for pleural mesothelioma involves the removal of the pleura on one side of the chest. The surgeon creates a huge opening in the chest, known as a thoracotomy, and then removes the affected pleura. They then replace it with a specialized medical mesh layer. This procedure is referred to as pleurectomy decortication, also known as EPP. The surgeon may also leave the lungs intact while removing the pleural lining. This is then replaced by a mesh layer. This is called an extended pleurectomy or P/D.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are also options to treat mesothelioma. The cost of a typical chemotherapy regimen including pemetrexed as well as Cisplatin is between $40,000 and $50,000 for a single treatment spread over several months. The cost of radiation therapy is also high for mesothelioma. The National Cancer Institute reports that the cost of mesothelioma radiation ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 per treatment, based on the amount of treatment and the health coverage provider.
Chemotherapy
Many unexpected costs can be incurred by those suffering from mesothelioma, which are difficult to predict. These costs can include medical, travel and lodging costs while undergoing treatment. These costs can quickly mount up and leave families with a huge financial burden. Knowing the financial aid available can help offset these costs.
The cost of chemotherapy can differ significantly based on the mesothelioma treatment plan and the health insurance coverage of the patient. One study found that the cost of a mesothelioma first-line chemotherapy regimen is between $40,000 and $50,000 annually. This includes costs for drugs and hospitalizations to treat the toxicity.
Additional diagnostic tests such as MRI and CT scans, biopsies, blood tests and so on are also expensive. A biopsy is the most definitive way to diagnose mesothelioma. A surgeon has to cut the lungs, or chest wall and then remove the tissue for laboratory testing. The cost of a biopsy can vary from $5,000 to $10,000, based on the procedure. Other diagnostic procedures, such as pleuroscopy and thoracoscopy are less invasive. However they can be quite expensive. They can cost up to $15,000. Mesothelioma patients usually require multiple MRI and CT scans to determine the severity of the disease.
Medical specialists will also need to monitor patients for signs of problems such as excessive fluid accumulation. Echocardiograms and chest X-rays can help physicians assess these signs, but are typically not covered by health insurance. Hospital stays to drain excess fluid from the pleural and lung spaces can be another expense for mesothelioma sufferers.
Radiation therapy for mesothelioma isn't a costly treatment, since it's very similar to lung cancer radiation treatments and is usually covered by the majority of health insurance plans. Some mesothelioma treatment options or medications are not yet accessible to the general public and can be much more expensive than conventional treatments. These treatments are usually provided to patients through clinical research trials or advanced treatment centers.
Tracking the cost of a diagnosis and treatment for mesothelioma can assist patients understand the amount they'll have to pay for each stage of their care. They can then make informed decisions regarding their treatment and financial options.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation is often the final step of many mesothelioma treatments. This procedure can help eliminate any remaining cancer cells and improve the patient's chances of survival. Radiation therapy is used alone or in conjunction with other treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery. Patients should speak with their doctor about the cost of radiation and what to expect.
Other medical expenses could also be incurred by those suffering from mesothelioma. These costs can include mesothelioma-specific prescriptions or tests, as well as doctor's visits. These costs can quickly add up depending on the patient's treatment plan and their personal circumstances.
According to a 2014 National Institute of Health (NIH) study, per-patient mesothelioma hospital expenses were comparatively high. The average annual cost for lung malignancies including mesothelioma was US$41,709,687. This included the costs of inpatient care, ambulatory visits as well as outpatient services.
Mesothelioma patients must always speak to their doctor about their particular concerns and needs. This can help reduce costs by avoiding unnecessary or redundant procedures. In addition, the doctor who treated the patient can provide suggestions on how to cut expenses by locating the most effective discounts and pricing for prescriptions.
The most frequently used mesothelioma treatments are the name brand medications like Alimta or Cisplatin. The cost of these drugs can vary depending on the amount of rounds and the type of treatment the patient is receiving.
The costs for surgery are also costly. Patients with mesothelioma of the pleural are usually required to undergo a more intense surgery than lung cancer patients. mesothelioma treatment alternative treatment can lead to surgeons having to use more invasive techniques and make larger incisions, which could increase costs.
Many victims will be faced with significant financial difficulties due to the high price of mesothelioma. In addition to the high medical bills, patients of mesothelioma will also likely be required to pay for additional expenses related to living. This could include childcare, transportation and lodging. Mesothelioma patients may be unable to work, affecting their ability to pay for these expenses. Because of this, it is crucial for mesothelioma victims to understand their rights to receive compensation.
Other Treatments
Mesothelioma treatments may include other cancer-fighting therapies depending on the patient's health. These might include chemotherapy, which utilizes cancer-fighting drugs to shrink tumors and kill them; radiation therapy, which makes use of high-energy X rays or particles to kill mesothelioma cancer cells as well as targeted therapy, which attacks mesothelioma cells using specific molecules without harming healthy tissues.
These additional treatments may be employed by doctors to extend the lifespan of a patient, relieve symptoms, and improve their quality of life. These treatments for cancer are part of a multimodal treatment plan that includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy.
If a patient suffers from peritoneal sarcoidosis(PS), surgeons can use a combination of treatment and surgical procedure known as heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). HIPEC is a highly advanced procedure that involves injecting cancer-fighting drugs directly into the abdomen to target the tumors. This treatment has helped a lot of mesothelioma patients live longer and become survivors.
Photodynamic therapy can also be used by doctors to treat pleural cancer. This treatment makes use of a specific drug that makes tumors sensitive to the body's natural defenses. It may reduce the size of tumors, or even cause them to disappear.
Additionally, doctors can remove pleural effusions or fluid accumulation in the chest cavity through a procedure known as thoracoscopic pleurodesis. This procedure involves tiny tube into the chest wall in order to drain excess fluid, and then sealing it using Talc that is medical grade.
A patient's mesothelioma team may also comprise a general practitioner, an asbestos specialist, or mesothelioma doctor; a chest surgeon or pulmonologist who diagnoses and treats mesothelioma. Additionally, there is radiologists who interpret diagnostic scans and a radiation oncologist. Patients should consider the possibility of participating in clinical trials with their mesothelioma physician.
Because mesothelioma can be so rare it is difficult for doctors to are familiar with treating it. However, top mesothelioma lawyers have access to top experts in this field and are able to recommend the most effective mesothelioma doctor for each case. They can also help patients and their families get the amount they are due for mesothelioma related expenses. These funds can be used to pay medical expenses as well as provide assistance for the family in the event that the patient dies from mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease.