What Is the Average Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment?
It can cost more than $400,000 to treat mesothelioma over the course of a patient’s illness. Even with insurance, families often have many out-of-pocket expenses, like deductibles, copays, and treatments their plan doesn’t cover.
Many families lose income when patients or caregivers have to cut back their work hours or quit their jobs. Faced with these challenges, many mesothelioma patients turn to financial assistance programs, legal compensation, and nonprofit resources to help ease the burden of medical care.
Mesothelioma patients and their families qualify for over $1 million on average from the companies responsible for their illness. You shouldn’t be left footing the bill for an injury a corporation caused.
Travel and hotel stays for appointments at specialized treatment centers can be costly, especially if the doctor is far from home. Even smaller mesothelioma treatment expenses — like parking fees, meals while traveling, and medications — add up quickly.
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide shipped overnight to learn more about treatment options, costs, and how to help manage the cost of medical care.
Mesothelioma Treatment Costs by Treatment Type
The cost of mesothelioma care can vary widely depending on the type of mesothelioma treatments a patient receives. Some people may undergo surgery, while others are treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or newer therapies like immunotherapy.
Many patients receive a combination of treatments, which can be the most effective way to treat this cancer, but also increases the overall cost.
Mesothelioma Surgery Cost
Surgery is one of the costliest parts of mesothelioma cancer treatment. Doctors usually recommend it only for patients who are healthy enough to recover and whose cancer is still in an early stage.
| Procedure | Average Cost | Notes |
| Extrapleural pneumonectomy | $62,000 | Removes the entire affected lung and tissue |
| Pleurectomy with decortication | $54,000 | Removes pleura and visible tumors, spares the lung |
| Cytoreduction with HIPEC | $38,000 to $50,000
|
Surgery plus heated chemo for peritoneal mesothelioma |
Although these surgeries are expensive, they can make a significant difference for some patients by reducing symptoms and helping them live longer.
Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Cost
Chemotherapy is the most common treatment for mesothelioma. It uses strong medications to slow cancer growth, shrink tumors, and ease symptoms. The standard chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma are pemetrexed (Alimta®) with cisplatin.
Find out more about the cost of mesothelioma chemotherapy:
- Estimated cost: $38,000 to $50,000 for a full course.
- What affects the price: Number of cycles, the need for additional drugs to manage side effects, and whether it’s given through an IV or directly into the chest or abdomen.
- Patient considerations: Chemotherapy often requires supportive medications, such as anti-nausea drugs or injections to boost white blood cells, which can add to overall expenses.
While chemotherapy can be expensive, it remains a cornerstone of mesothelioma treatment because it improves quality of life and may extend survival.
Mesothelioma Radiation Therapy Cost
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to target and kill cancer cells. While it isn’t curative on its own, radiation for mesothelioma can be very effective at relieving pain, reducing symptoms, and preventing tumors from spreading further.
Find out more about the cost of radiation therapy for mesothelioma:
- Estimated cost: $9,000 for one round of treatment.
- What affects the price: Number of treatment sessions and the type of radiation technology used.
- Patient considerations: Radiation therapy is often combined with other treatments for better results.
Mesothelioma radiation is used less often than chemotherapy or surgery, but its lower cost and palliative benefits make it an important treatment option for many patients.
Mesothelioma Immunotherapy Cost
Immunotherapy is a newer approach that helps the body’s immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. The immunotherapy drugs Opdivo® + Yervoy® are now recommended as a first-line treatment for inoperable mesothelioma.
Find out more about the cost of mesothelioma immunotherapy:
- Estimated cost: $150,000 to $300,000 per year, depending on the drug and treatment schedule.
- What affects the price: The specific immunotherapy drug, how long it’s prescribed, and whether it’s combined with other treatments.
- Patient considerations: Immunotherapy is one of the most expensive treatments. Even with health insurance, families often face high out-of-pocket costs.
Taking advantage of financial assistance programs and clinical trials can help manage the cost of mesothelioma immunotherapy and make treatment more accessible.
Additional Treatment-Related Costs
In addition to major treatment costs, mesothelioma patients often face a range of ongoing medical expenses. Although these aren’t as visible as big hospital bills, they can add up to tens of thousands of dollars to the total cost of mesothelioma treatment.
| Category | Service/Procedure | Estimated Cost |
| Doctor Visits & Consultations | General doctor visit | $75 each |
| Specialist visit | $400 | |
| Oncologist consultation | $500 | |
| Imaging & Diagnostic Tests | Chest X-ray | $600 |
| CT scan | $3,000 | |
| PET scan | $5,000 | |
| Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT) with biopsy | $73,000 | |
| Outpatient Procedures | Thoracentesis (fluid drain) | $2,250 |
| Repeat thoracentesis | $2,250 | |
| Tube thoracostomy (chest tube) | $4,500 | |
| Lab Work & Injections | Vitamin B12 injections | $100 – $150 |
| Complete blood count (CBC labs) | $100 | |
| Medications | Palonosetron (anti-nausea) | $1,000/month |
| Pegfilgrastim (white blood cell support) | $6,000/month | |
| Oxycodone (pain relief) | $25 per 100 pills | |
| Hospitalization | Inpatient stay (if required) | $2,000 |
Hidden Costs of Mesothelioma Treatment
Along with medical bills, mesothelioma brings other expenses that are easy to overlook. Since the disease is so rare, many patients need to go to dedicated cancer centers, which can add costs for out-of-network treatment and travel expenses. Ongoing supportive care and symptom management can create financial strain as well.
Commonly overlooked expenses include:
- Follow-up scans (CT, PET, X-rays)
- Lodging during surgery or recovery
- Lost income for caregivers
- Medications for pain and nausea
- Nutritional supplements or special diets
- Parking and hospital transportation
- Physical therapy or pulmonary rehab
- Procedures to drain fluid buildup
- Travel to specialists (flights, gas, hotels, meals)
Recognizing these expenses early allows families to seek support through travel grants, veterans benefits, and legal claims specific to mesothelioma.
“When something’s so rare like mesothelioma, you have the travel expenses involved . . . the costs add up very quickly.”
What Factors Affect Mesothelioma Treatment Costs?
Mesothelioma treatment costs vary widely from patient to patient. While total expenses can easily exceed $400,000, the exact amount depends on several factors.
Some of these include:
- Length and intensity of treatments
- Need for out-of-state travel, lodging, or long-term housing
- Number of treatments
- Stage of cancer at diagnosis
- Treatment facility or cancer center location
- Type of insurance coverage and policy limits
Because these factors vary so much, two patients with the same diagnosis may face very different expenses. Recognizing what drives the cost of mesothelioma treatment gives families a clearer picture of what to expect and where to look for financial help.
Financial Compensation for Mesothelioma Patients
Because mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure, patients may qualify for financial compensation to help pay for medical treatment. This money is available to hold negligent asbestos companies accountable for exposing innocent workers, service members, and families to a toxic substance.
Compensation may come through:
- Mesothelioma settlements: For decades, asbestos manufacturers knew their products were dangerous but failed to protect workers and the public. Legal action allows families to hold these companies accountable, often resulting in settlements worth more than $1 million.
- Asbestos trust funds: When many asbestos companies went bankrupt, courts required them to set aside money for future victims. Today, more than $30 billion remains in trust funds that patients can access without going to court.
- Veterans benefits: Thousands of service members were exposed to asbestos in ships, vehicles, and bases. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes mesothelioma as a service-connected illness and provides disability payments of over $4,000 each month, along with specialized treatment at VA hospitals.
Mesothelioma patients deserve to seek compensation because their illness was caused by asbestos exposure they couldn’t control. The companies responsible should help cover the high cost of treating mesothelioma instead of leaving patients and families to carry that burden alone.
“By working with an attorney, families can get help pursuing compensation for medical care, lost income, and other costs that come with a mesothelioma diagnosis. It’s about making sure they have one less thing to worry about during a really difficult time.”
Request a Free Case Review with our legal partners to better understand your legal rights and how compensation may ease the cost of mesothelioma treatment.
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Get Help Paying for Mesothelioma Treatment
Paying for mesothelioma treatment can be difficult. At Mesothelioma Hope, we connect patients and loved ones with the resources they need to manage these financial burdens and focus on what matters most.
Our team can help provide:
- Clear details on what insurance covers
- Access to financial assistance for travel and lodging
- Legal resources to pursue compensation
- Guidance for veterans applying for VA benefits
- Information on clinical trials offering free or low-cost treatment
No family should have to face mesothelioma costs alone. Support is available, and taking the first step can make treatment more affordable and less stressful. Call us today at (866) 608-8933 or fill out our secure contact form to get started.
Mesothelioma Treatment Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to treat mesothelioma?
The total cost of mesothelioma treatment can exceed $400,000. This estimate includes major treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and newer options such as immunotherapy.
Patients may also have extra costs for doctor visits, scans, prescriptions, travel, and lodging. Even with an insurance plan, it’s not uncommon to pay a significant amount out of pocket during the course of treatment.
Is mesothelioma treatment covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans do cover some portion of mesothelioma treatment, but they usually don’t cover everything. Many patients still have out-of-pocket expenses such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
On top of that, there are miscellaneous costs like travel to and from treatment centers, temporary lodging if you need to stay near a hospital, parking, and meals — all of which can add up quickly.
How much does immunotherapy for mesothelioma cost?
Mesothelioma immunotherapy is one of the most expensive treatment options. Depending on the drug, it can cost $150,000 to $292,000 per year. Even with insurance, these high prices can place a heavy burden on families.
Some patients may qualify for free immunotherapy through clinical trials. Still, if there isn’t a trial available nearby, you might need to cover travel, lodging, and transportation costs yourself.
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