Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
A mesothelioma victim will undergo an extensive examination by a doctor. This may include scans of the body and blood tests.
Medical professionals may also administer chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy. Mesothelioma patients need to research the different types of financial aid available. They can reduce mesothelioma treatment expenses.
Diagnosis
When a patient develops symptoms, a doctor will run a series of tests to help identify mesothelioma and determine the best treatment option. The first step involves a physical exam and asking the patient to provide details about their prior exposure to asbestos. Then the doctor will take a sample of abdominal or pleural fluids to be analyzed. The mesothelioma specialist may also take a biopsy to confirm the presence of cancerous cells.
The most frequently used tests to diagnose mesothelioma are blood tests and imaging scans. These tests help doctors locate the location of tumors and other indicators of mesothelioma and also determine how advanced the condition is.
Mesothelin-related proteins (SMRP) are measured in blood tests for mesothelioma. These chemicals are released by mesothelioma tumor cells when they multiply and grow, but are not found in healthy tissues. SMRP blood tests can detect mesothelioma before symptoms become evident.
X-rays, CT scans and other tests are also common in mesothelioma. These scans provide 3D and cross-sectional pictures of tissues, organs, and bones inside the body. They can help doctors spot mesothelioma tumors. CT scans can also help doctors determine if a mesothelioma-related tumor has spread to other regions of the body.
A needle aspiration procedure provides an alternative to collect abdomen or pleural fluids for analysis. After numbing the area, doctors insert a small needle into the abdomen or chest to remove the fluid and examine it under a microscope. If the needle aspiration results are inconclusive, a surgical biopsy could be needed.
A PET scan or CT scan when combined with a fluoroscopy is a different type of mesothelioma testing. This uses X-rays for the endoscope to be guided through the digestive tract or lungs. This allows the doctor to determine whether mesothelioma is spreading to lymph nodes located in the chest or abdomen.
Patients should think about getting a second opinion to ensure that the mesothelioma diagnosis is true and complete. This will allow the patient to begin the most effective treatment as quickly as is possible.
Treatment
When treating mesothelioma doctors must consider a variety of aspects. This includes the type of cancer, and how it responds. They also need to assess the patient's overall well-being. These factors can affect the cost of treatment for mesothelioma.
As a rule the more advanced mesothelioma has become, the more expensive treatment will be. The reason is that mesothelioma tends to grow quickly and is more likely to recur after treatment. In addition the cancer can be more difficult to remove in the event that it has spread to other parts of the body.
The cost of treatment is not only with the type of treatment however, they also include hospital visits and the length of stay. This is because a mesothelioma diagnosis often requires multiple tests and procedures to confirm the diagnosis. A doctor may order blood tests to check for proteins that are signs of cancer. A needle biopsy is the most common method to determine if a patient suffers from mesothelioma. In this procedure, a doctor inserts a fine needle into the skin on the abdomen or chest to take a sample of fluid or tissue. The doctor examines the tissue using microscopes that magnify microscopically to determine whether there are mesothelioma cells.
A person with mesothelioma may need surgery. If the tumor is at an early stage, doctors might be able to eliminate the entire tumor. In some cases, doctors will use an array of treatments to decrease the size of the tumor and ease symptoms. This could include chemotherapy, radiation or both.
Some sufferers have mesothelioma, which has spread to other areas of their body. In these instances, doctors might recommend palliative treatment. This is intended to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. This might include narcotics, oxygen therapy, and pain medications. Some people opt for alternative and complementary therapies, like acupuncture or herbal remedies.
Doctors may offer clinical trials to evaluate new treatment options for patients who have recurrent malignant mesothelioma. These studies are usually done in large medical centers.
Costs out of pocket
Several different sources of assistance can ease the financial burden of mesothelioma treatment. In addition to health insurance patients should look into the programs offered by the government and charity sources. Patients should also talk to mesothelioma lawyers to find out about legal options. Victims and their families may be eligible for compensation from a mesothelioma case.
Medical expenses associated with mesothelioma tend to be high and can vary based on the patient's health, stage of cancer and specific treatment plan. It is crucial to consider the potential costs prior to beginning mesothelioma treatment. This will help prevent any unexpected costs.
Doctors may recommend a combination treatment for mesothelioma that includes radiation, chemo, and surgery. These treatments will require hospitalization, which will can increase the cost of mesothelioma treatment.
It is possible to pay for a range of tests and procedures as part of your mesothelioma treatments. These can include a thoracoscopy or pleuroscopy which are scavenged examinations of the chest cavity to confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma. The cost of these tests is between $10,000 to $15,000. The blood tests, such as the MESOMARK test can detect mesothelioma biomarkers. They can be used to track the patient's response. This test costs between $3,000 and $5,000 annually.
Many mesothelioma patients undergo chemotherapy in order to eliminate cancerous cells. The most common chemotherapy regimen is a combination of drugs known as pemetrexed and cisplatin. This combination of medications could cost as much as $50,000 for a course. Patients must also consider yearly drug costs, which can be as high as $100,000.
Radiation therapy is a major cost for patients suffering from mesothelioma. The procedure is usually performed after surgery to kill any remaining cancerous cells. Patients must also pay for a variety of other mesothelioma related expenses such as travel costs, lodging and any necessary equipment.
Patients suffering from mesothelioma should also be aware of the loss of income. This can be a major contributor towards their out-of pocket medical expenses. Many mesothelioma sufferers and their families have to employ caregivers to help with cooking cleaning, driving and cleaning. This can cost families thousands of dollars each month, on top of the expenses of mesothelioma-related treatments.
Financial Assistance
Many patients with mesothelioma are eligible for government programs that could help pay for some of the treatment expenses. These benefits include Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security Disability Insurance. Some charities offer grants to patients suffering from mesothelioma to cover travel costs, homecare prescription medications and other expenses.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they request a biopsy to check for cancerous cells. During a biopsy doctors remove tiny amounts of tissue from the suspected tumour using either surgery or a needle. Then, they examine the biopsy under a microscope to look for cancerous cells. If mesothelioma has been identified by doctors, they will suggest different treatments to treat symptoms and slow down the spread of cancer.
Mesothelioma doctors typically do a procedure to eliminate excess fluid from the lung (pleurodesis) or place a tube in the chest to drain the fluid frequently at home (percutaneous pleural mesothelioma drainage). Patients with advanced mesothelioma are often treated with chemotherapy. The drugs in chemotherapy travel through the body and kill cancerous cells to reduce the chance that the cancer will return after surgery.
The medical expenses associated with treatment for mesothelioma are often devastating to asbestos patients and their families. mesothelioma advanced treatment include hospitalizations, surgeries, special treatments and medications. Additionally mesothelioma is a cancer that usually results in loss of wages due to being unable to work.
The cost of some mesothelioma treatments can be particularly high, especially if the patient has to travel to receive treatment from specialists. Some mesothelioma activists can help mesothelioma patients with the cost of travel and lodging.
Patients should also check whether they qualify for programs to assist with medication which provide low-cost or free prescription medications for those with a limited income. These programs are offered by pharmaceutical companies, as well as charitable organizations such as Family Reach and Rx Outreach. The National Cancer Institute and the American Society of Oncology also have resources to help patients find financial assistance for treatment of mesothelioma. Additionally, federal and state health programs like the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the 211 telephone number can assist individuals in obtaining utility assistance in their communities.