Mesothelioma Treatment CostsA mesothelioma victim will undergo an extensive exam by their doctor. This may include scans of the body and blood tests.Medical professionals may also prescribe chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. Patients with mesothelioma should investigate the various forms of financial aid that are available. These can reduce the cost of mesothelioma treatment.DiagnosisA doctor will perform several tests once the patient has developed symptoms to identify mesothelioma. This will help determine the best treatment. The first step is to conduct a physical examination and asking about asbestos exposure in the past. The doctor will then collect a sample from the pleural fluid or abdominal fluid to be analysed. The mesothelioma specialist can also conduct an ultrasound to confirm the presence of cancer cells.Imaging scans and blood tests are the most frequently used tests used to detect mesothelioma. These tests can help doctors find the location of tumors as well as other indications of mesothelioma as well as determine how advanced the disease is.Mesothelin-related proteins (SMRP) are measured in blood tests for mesothelioma. These substances are released when mesothelioma cells expand and multiply, but they aren't present in healthy tissue. SMRP blood tests can identify mesothelioma before symptoms become apparent.Other mesothelioma tests that are commonly used include X-rays as well as CT scans. These scans create 3D and cross-sectional pictures of tissues, organs, and bones inside the body. They can aid in the identification of mesothelioma-related tumors. CT scans can also assist doctors to determine if a mesothelioma cancer has spread to other regions of the body.A needle aspiration allows for an easier method to collect abdomen or pleural fluids for analysis. After numbing the skin doctors insert a small needle into the abdomen or chest to drain the fluid and then examine it under the microscope. If the needle aspiration results are not conclusive, a surgical biopsy may be necessary.A PET scan or CT scan when combined with a fluoroscopy can be another method of mesothelioma screening. It uses X-rays to allow the endoscope to be guided through the digestive tract or the lungs. This allows the doctor to determine whether mesothelioma has regressed into lymph nodes located in the abdomen or chest.Patients should think about getting a second opinion to ensure that the mesothelioma diagnosis is true and complete. This will enable patients to start the most effective treatment as fast as they can.TreatmentWhen treating mesothelioma doctors must take into account many factors. This includes the type of cancer and how it reacts. They also need to weigh the effects of a patient's overall health. These factors can influence the cost of mesothelioma treatments.As a general rule the more advanced the mesothelioma is, then the more expensive the treatment will be. This is because the cancer is more likely than to not return following treatment. The cancer can also be more difficult to eradicate once it has spread.Costs for treatment are not only with the type of treatment used, but also with hospital visits and the length of stay. This is because mesothelioma usually requires multiple tests to confirm the diagnosis. A doctor can conduct blood tests to test for proteins that could be a sign of cancer. A needle biopsy is a common method to determine if a patient suffers from mesothelioma. The doctor inserts a fine needle that is sterilized into the chest's skin or abdomen to take a sample. The doctor then looks at the tissue under a microscope to determine if mesothelioma cells are present.A patient with mesothelioma might need surgery. If the tumor is at an early stage, doctors may be able remove the entire tumor. In certain instances, doctors will use a combination treatment to reduce the size of the tumor and ease symptoms. This might include chemotherapy, radiation or both.Certain people suffer from mesothelioma that has spread to other parts of their body. In these instances doctors may suggest the use of palliative treatments. It is intended to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. This might include narcotics, oxygen therapy, and pain medication. Some people opt to use complementary and alternative therapies, such as yoga, acupuncture or herbal remedies.Doctors can conduct clinical trials to test new treatment options to people suffering from malignant mesothelioma that has recurred. These trials are typically conducted in large medical centres.Out-of-Pocket CostsThere are a variety of ways to lessen the financial burden associated with mesothelioma therapies. Patients should also consider the government programs and charities in addition to health insurance. They should also consult an attorney for mesothelioma to learn about legal options. Compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit may be available to assist victims and their families.The medical expenses associated with mesothelioma tend to be high and vary depending on the patient's health, stage of cancer and specific treatment plan. Before starting treatment for mesothelioma is essential to look over the costs associated with the treatment. This will help prevent any unexpected expenses.Doctors may recommend mesothelioma treatments that combine which includes surgery, chemo and radiation. These treatments may require hospital stays, which add to the overall cost of mesothelioma care.You can expect to pay for a variety of tests and procedures as part of your mesothelioma treatment. They can include a thoracoscopy or pleuroscopy, which are scoped examinations of the chest cavity to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The cost of these tests ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. Blood tests, like the MESOMARK test, can identify mesothelioma biomarkers. They can also be used to monitor the patient's response to treatment. This test costs between $3000 and $5k per year.Many patients with mesothelioma undergo chemotherapy to eradicate cancerous cells. The most common chemotherapy regimen consists of medications known as cisplatin and pemetrexed. The combination of these two medications could cost up to $50,000 per treatment. Patients should also take into consideration annual cost of medication, which can be as high as $100,000.The radiation therapy is a major expense for mesothelioma sufferers. The procedure is usually performed after surgery to kill any remaining cancerous cells. Patients are also required to be responsible for a range of other mesothelioma related expenses that include travel expenses accommodation, travel and any other equipment.Patients suffering from mesothelioma should also consider lost income. This could be a significant factor in their medical expenses out of pocket. Many mesothelioma victims and their families have to employ caregivers to help with cooking cleaning, driving and cleaning. This can cost mesothelioma patients and their family thousands of dollars every month.Financial AssistanceA lot of mesothelioma patients are eligible for government programs that can help pay for some of the treatment costs. These benefits include Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security Disability Insurance. Some charities offer grants to patients with mesothelioma for travel costs, homecare prescription medications, and other expenses.When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they order a biopsy to examine the tissue for cancerous cells. During a biopsy doctors remove small amounts of tissue from the suspected tumor by either surgery or an needle. They then study the biopsy under a microscope to look for cancer cells. If mesothelioma is found, doctors will recommend different treatments to treat symptoms and stop the spread of cancer.Doctors who treat mesothelioma usually undergo a procedure to drain excess fluid from the lungs (pleurodesis) or insert a tube into the chest so that the fluid can be drained at home periodically (percutaneous drainage of the pleura). Patients with advanced mesothelioma are usually treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs move throughout the body and kill cancer cells to decrease the risk that the cancer will return after surgery.The medical costs associated with treatment for mesothelioma can be devastating for asbestos patients and their families. These costs include hospitalizations, surgeries, special treatments and medications. In addition, a mesothelioma diagnosis usually results in loss of wages from being unable to work.The cost of some mesothelioma treatment options can be expensive, particularly if a patient must travel to get treatment from specialists. Mesothelioma advocates can assist with travel and lodging expenses for mesothelioma sufferers.Patients should also check if they are eligible for medication assistance programmes, which offer low-cost or free prescription medications to those with limited incomes. These programs are offered by pharmaceutical companies, and also by charities such as Family Reach and Rx Outreach. The National Cancer Institute, the American Society of Oncology and other organizations can help patients find financial aid for mesothelioma treatment. Additionally, federal and state health programs, such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the 211 number can assist individuals in obtaining utilities assistance in their community.