Mesothelioma Treatment CostsWhen a mesothelioma patient sees their doctor, they will undergo a thorough physical examination. This will include imaging scans and blood tests.Medical professionals may also prescribe chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatment. Mesothelioma patients need to research the different types of financial assistance available. These may reduce the cost of mesothelioma treatments.DiagnosisIf a patient is experiencing symptoms that are not cured, a doctor will conduct an array of tests to determine if mesothelioma is present and determine the most effective treatment option. The first step is to conduct an examination and questioning the patient about their previous exposure to asbestos. The doctor will then collect a sample of abdominal or pleural fluids to be analyzed. The mesothelioma doctor may also conduct a biopsy of the affected area to verify that cancerous cells are present.The most common tests used to diagnose mesothelioma are imaging scans and blood tests. These tests can help doctors determine the location of tumors and other signs of mesothelioma, as well as determine how advanced the condition is.Mesothelioma blood tests assess levels of mesothelin-related proteins (SMRP). These chemicals are released when mesothelioma cancer cells expand and multiply, but they aren't found in healthy tissue. This is why SMRP blood tests can indicate the presence of mesothelioma before symptoms show up.X-rays, CT scans and other tests are also common in mesothelioma. These scans produce 3-D and cross-sectional images of organs, tissues and bones inside the body and can aid in the identification of mesothelioma-related tumors. CT scans can also be helpful in determining whether a tumor of mesothelioma has spread to a different part of the body.A needle aspiration allows for an alternative to collect pleural or abdomen fluids to analyze. After numbing the skin doctors insert a tiny needle into the abdomen or chest to drain the fluid and examine it under a microscope. If the needle aspiration is not conclusive, a biopsy could be necessary.Another type of mesothelioma test is a PET scan or CT scan that is combined with a fluoroscopy, which utilizes X-rays to guide an endoscope through the lungs or digestive tract. This allows the doctor to determine whether mesothelioma has regressed into lymph nodes located in the abdomen or chest.You should consider seeking a second opinion in order to ensure that the diagnosis of mesothelioma is correct and complete. This will allow the patient to begin the most effective treatment as fast as is possible.TreatmentWhen treating mesothelioma patients, they must consider many factors, including the type of cancer and its response to treatment. They also need to weigh the impact of a patient's overall health. These factors can influence the cost of mesothelioma treatment.As a rule the more advanced the mesothelioma is, then the more expensive treatment will be. The reason is that the cancer tends to spread quickly and is more likely to return after treatment. It is also more difficult to eliminate once it has been able to spread.Treatment costs are associated not just with the type of treatment being used however, they also include hospital visits and the length of stay. This is because mesothelioma typically requires multiple tests to confirm the diagnosis. For instance, a doctor might order blood tests to determine the presence of certain proteins, which can be a sign of cancer. A needle biopsy is a regular method for doctors to determine whether a person has mesothelioma. The doctor inserts a thin, sterile needle into the skin of the chest or abdomen in order to take the sample. The doctor examines the tissue using microscopes to determine whether there are mesothelioma tumor cells.Mesothelioma patients may require surgery. Surgery may be able to remove the tumor completely if it is in an early stage. In other cases, doctors may use a combination of treatment to reduce the size of the tumor and reduce symptoms. This may include radiation, chemotherapy or both.Some people have mesothelioma which has spread to other regions of their body. In these instances doctors may suggest palliative treatment. This is intended to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. This could include narcotics, oxygen therapy, and pain medications. Some people opt for alternative therapies and complementary therapies such as acupuncture or herbal remedies.Doctors may conduct clinical trials to evaluate new treatment options for patients who have recurrent malignant mesothelioma. These studies are usually done in large medical centres.Out-of-Pocket CostsSeveral different sources of assistance can help decrease the financial burden of mesothelioma treatment. Patients should also think about the government programs and charities in addition to health insurance. To find out more about their legal options, they should consult mesothelioma lawyers. Compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit may be available to help victims and their families.Medical expenses for mesothelioma can be high and can differ based on the patient's health condition and the stage of cancer and the specific treatment plan. Before beginning treatment for mesothelioma, it is important to review the costs associated with the treatment. This will avoid any unexpected expenses.Mesothelioma specialists may suggest the use of a combination of treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. These treatments require hospitalization, which add to the cost of mesothelioma treatment.You will be charged for a range of tests and procedures as part of your mesothelioma treatment. These can include a thoracoscopy or a pleuroscopy which are examinations with a scope of the chest cavity to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis. The cost of these tests ranges from $10,000 to $15,000. Blood tests, like the MESOMARK, can reveal biomarkers for mesothelioma. They can be used to monitor the patient's response. This test is priced of about $3,000 to $5,000 annually.A lot of mesothelioma patients undergo chemotherapy to kill cancerous cells. The most commonly used chemotherapy regimen is a combination of drugs known as pemetrexed and cisplatin. This medication combination could cost up to $50,000 per course. pleural mesothelioma treatment options should also take into consideration annual cost of drugs, which could be close to $100,000.The treatment of radiation is a major expense for mesothelioma patients. The treatment is typically administered after surgery in order to kill any remaining cancerous cells. Patients are also responsible for other expenses related to mesothelioma, such as travel fees as well as lodging and equipment needed.Patients suffering from mesothelioma should also consider lost income. This could be a significant contributor to their medical expenses out of pocket. Many mesothelioma patients and their families have to hire caregivers for tasks like cooking, cleaning and driving. This can cost a family thousands of dollars each month, not including the cost of mesothelioma-related treatment.Financial AssistanceMany mesothelioma sufferers are eligible to government programs that aid in the payment of some of the treatment expenses. These benefits include Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security Disability Insurance. Some charities also offer mesothelioma patients grants to cover travel costs and home care, prescription medication and other costs.When doctors suspect mesothelioma, they order a biopsy to test the tissue for cancerous cells. During a biopsy doctors will use surgery or a needle to remove tiny amounts of tissue from the suspected tumor. They then examine the biopsy under a microscope to search for cancer cells. If mesothelioma is found to be present, doctors may suggest a range of treatment options to manage symptoms and slow the spread of the cancer.Mesothelioma doctors typically use a procedure to remove excess fluid from the lung (pleurodesis) or put a tube into the chest to drain the fluid frequently at home (percutaneous mesothelioma pleural drainage). Patients with advanced mesothelioma are often treated with chemotherapy. The drugs in chemotherapy traverse the body and kill cancerous cells to reduce the chance that the cancer will come back after surgery.Asbestos patients and their loved ones are often financially devastated by the medical costs that come mesothelioma treatments. These costs include hospitalizations surgeries, special treatments and medications. Additionally mesothelioma diagnoses typically results in a loss of earnings due to being unable to work.The cost of mesothelioma treatments may be high, especially if the patient needs to travel to receive treatment from specialists. Mesothelioma advocates can assist with the cost of travel and lodging for mesothelioma sufferers.Patients should also check if they are eligible for assistance programs with medication which provide low-cost or free prescription drugs for those with a limited income. These programs are provided by pharmaceutical companies, as and also organizations such as Family Reach, Rx Outreach and other charities. The National Cancer Institute and the American Society of Oncology also have resources that can assist patients in obtaining financial aid for mesothelioma treatment. State and federal health programs, such as the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the 211 phone number, can assist those living in their communities to receive assistance with utility bills.