Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that often requires intensive treatment, escalating the financial burden on patients and their families.
The costs include diagnostic testing, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, novel treatments, hospitalization, and follow up care.
These medical expenses come in addition to the non-medical costs of mesothelioma, including personal care, transportation, and housekeeping assistance.
While insurance and financial assistance through government and charitable programs can help, the remaining out-of-pocket costs are generally beyond the means of most people.
Therefore, compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim is crucial. Don’t let finances stand in the way of life-extending treatment. Let our compassionate, experienced mesothelioma lawyers help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
Individual Mesothelioma Treatment Costs
The overall cost of mesothelioma treatment hinges largely on your treatment options and preferences. If you are diagnosed at an early stage before the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body—you have more options. While many of these options can significantly raise your life expectancy, they can also significantly increase your costs.
The average cost of mesothelioma treatment can vary significantly between geographical regions and treatment centers. For example, treatment in the Northeast tends to cost more than in the Midwest. The figures below are national averages and may differ where you’re located.
Diagnostic Testing Costs
Testing for mesothelioma involves a series of imaging tests and often a biopsy. The cost for these tests can range from $260 to $16,575.
| Diagnostic Test | Cost |
|---|---|
| Computed Tomography | $1200 to $3,200 |
| MRI | $1,200 to $4,000 |
| Chest X-ray | $260 to $460 |
| Biopsy | $16,575 average cost |
The Cost of Mesothelioma Surgery
Surgery may be recommended if you were diagnosed during an early stage. The average costs of pleural mesothelioma surgery as of 2014, the latest year for which data is available, is as follows:
- Extrapleural pneumonectomy, or removal of the lung – $62,408
- Pleurectomy and decortication, or removal of the pleura and visible tumors – $53,993
- Drainage of the pleural cavity – $16,089
The pleura are the thin linings surrounding the lungs where pleural mesothelioma starts.
If you have been diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, you may be a candidate for a surgical procedure known as cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, or CRS-HIPEC. The cost for this procedure generally ranges from $16,395 to $25,240.
Systemic Treatment Costs
Systemic treatment for mesothelioma includes chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The standard first-line chemotherapy drugs are pemetrexed and cisplatin. Chemotherapy is rarely effective in controlling mesothelioma alone, so it is usually combined with surgery and immunotherapy for an enhanced result.
The costs of these treatments can vary between treatment centers and may be higher or lower based on your dosage. The cost of immunotherapy is significantly higher because it is a newer form of therapy. The average costs are as follows:
| Drug | Type of Drug | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pemetrexed (Alimta) | Chemotherapy | $38,473 for six infusions |
| Cisplatin (Platinol) | Chemotherapy | $306 for six infusions |
| Bevacizumab (Avastin) | Immunotherapy | $48,779 for six infusions |
| Opdivo and Yervoy | Immunotherapy | $23,597 per infusion |
| Opdivo alone | Immunotherapy | $7,194 per infusion |
These are not the only chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs used for mesothelioma treatment. Your treatment plan may vary, which can affect these costs.
Radiation Therapy
Mesothelioma radiation therapy is a targeted treatment aimed at individual tumors. It is usually used to augment chemotherapy or surgery. The average cost of radiation is $8,600 per course.
Advanced Novel Therapies
The most cutting-edge therapies for mesothelioma are not standard and are out of reach for most people due to the exorbitant cost. They include the following:
- Gene therapy – $1 million to $3.5 million per dose
- Tumor treating fields – $21,000 per month
Gene therapy uses a virus to modify the DNA of cancer cells, making them more responsive to other treatments.
Tumor treating fields are electrical currents transmitted by a wearable device, which kills cancer cells with minimal side effects. The Optune Lua is the brand name of such a device, which is FDA-approved for use with chemotherapy.
Hospital Fees
According to a 2019 study of 1,675 hospital discharges of mesothelioma patients, the average cost of hospitalization for mesothelioma patients was $24,901. The patients in the study had average stays lasting 7.7 days. However, there was a noticeable difference in costs between the Northeast and the Midwest, as follows:
- Average cost in the Northeast: $33,396
- Average cost in the Midwest: $18,206
On January 1, 2021, the federal Hospital Price Transparency Rule became effective, requiring hospitals to disclose pricing to the public. As a result, you should be able to easily compare pricing before selecting a hospital. However, a 2023 analysis of 2,000 hospitals by a major patient rights advocacy organization found that less than a quarter of hospitals are compliant.
Home Care and Skilled Nursing
When you need medical care outside the hospital, you may be able to receive care at home or in a skilled nursing facility.
| Type of Care | Average Cost per Month |
|---|---|
| Home Health | $5,148 |
| Nursing Home – Shared Room | $7,908 |
| Nursing Home – Private Room | $9,034 |
| End-of-Life Care | Generally $0 |