Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment​

Mesothelioma Expenses and Treatment Costs

For families facing a recent mesothelioma diagnosis, the cost of mesothelioma treatment can feel overwhelming. Aside from the primary treatment plan costs, frequent scans, hospital visits, medications, and travel costs can quickly add up. 

The overall cost of mesothelioma treatment depends on several factors, including the disease’s stage, the types of therapy needed, and how often follow-up care occurs. Even with insurance, families still feel the impact of mesothelioma chemotherapy costs, mesothelioma radiation costs, and newer immunotherapy expenses, such as Opdivo. 

If you’re wondering, ‘How much will this really cost?’ you’re not alone. Throughout this page, we will break down the cost of mesothelioma treatment, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. We’ll also show you where patients and their families can qualify for mesothelioma financial assistance.

How Much Does It Cost to Treat Mesothelioma?

The cost of mesothelioma treatment can vary depending on your treatment plan, the hospital providing care, and the type of mesothelioma you were diagnosed with. Mesothelioma care typically requires multiple specialists and advanced therapies, making the costs higher than those of other diseases. These medical expenses are only part of the picture. Many patients have to travel long distances for specialized care, stay near treatment centers, and take unpaid leave from work. 

When these factors are combined, the total cost of mesothelioma treatment can easily exceed $100,000 and reach well over $1 million for those requiring multimodal therapy or long-term care. 

Average Cost of Mesothelioma Treatment​

The average cost of mesothelioma treatment can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Costs are often higher at specialized mesothelioma hospitals when mesothelioma expertise and resources are involved. Treatment at specialized mesothelioma hospitals like Brigham and Women’s Hospital or MD Anderson often costs more but provides access to leading oncologists, clinical trials, and multimodal treatment teams that can improve outcomes.

Studies show that a full year of treatment costs between $132,000 and $144,000, and total treatment costs can exceed $330,000 when intensive care or multimodal therapy (combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation) is needed. If your treatment plan includes immunotherapy or surgery, expenses may range from $400,000 to over $1 million over the full course of treatment. 

For those facing a recent diagnosis, understanding these costs upfront helps with planning and accessing financial assistance before bills start arriving. 

How Much Does Mesothelioma Immunotherapy Cost

Mesothelioma immunotherapy costs are much higher than other forms of treatment. Drugs like Keytruda and Opdivo cost more to manufacture because they’re biologically engineered to target cancer cells specifically and require complex manufacturing. On average, the cost of a single infusion can span from $10,000 to $20,000, and the total cost of mesothelioma treatment infusions can add up to $150,000 to $300,00 or more. Costs depend on the dosage schedule and the duration of the patient’s therapy. 

Due to the high cost of mesothelioma treatments, insurance approval is often difficult, causing many families facing a diagnosis to turn to mesothelioma financial assistance programs, grants to help pay medical bills, and manufacturer support to bridge the gap between insurance coverage and their out-of-pocket costs. The average cost of chemotherapy with insurance isn’t cheap, so knowing what financial help is available gives families a sense of relief during an already difficult time. 

How Much Does Mesothelioma Chemotherapy Cost?

Mesothelioma chemotherapy costs can be very expensive, even with insurance help. For those diagnosed, insurance typically covers a large portion of treatment costs, but you are often responsible for copayments, deductibles, and non-covered services. For example, one cycle of Ciplatin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug, can cost anywhere from $150 to $300 per dose. In addition to drug costs, hospital or infusion fees can raise the total of Ciplatin costs to $1,000 or more. Alimate (pemetrexed), another mesothelioma chemotherapy drug often prescribed for lung cancer, averages at $6,000 to $9,000 per cycle, adding up to $50,000 for full treatment costs. Families of those suffering usually face thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses throughout their treatment journey, but financial help and support resources are available to help. 

How Much Does Mesothelioma Radiation Cost?

For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, radiation therapy plays an important role in treatment plans, but it can also significantly contribute to the overall care cost. Radiation therapy for mesothelioma patients usually costs between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on the number of sessions you have and the facility you undergo treatment at. More advanced radiation therapy, such as proton therapy at a specialty center, can exceed $80,000 to $120,000. Radiation is rarely used alone and usually requires the combination of surgery or chemotherapy, meaning families are often paying for additional treatment on top of these costs. 

Financial Help with Medical Bills After Insurance

If your family is struggling with out-of-pocket expenses, you are not alone. The cost of mesothelioma treatment can feel just as heavy as the diagnosis, and many describe it as the second battle. 

Programs such as Medicare, asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and nonprofit assistance for travel, copays, and living costs help families reduce treatment costs or eliminate them altogether. Families can access funding to pay medical bills through asbestos trust funds, which have distributed over $30 billion. If your insurance denies coverage, our patient advocates can help you file appeals and guide you through finding financial help with medical bills after insurance. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t know where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out today. We are here to walk beside you, explain your options, and help you access the compensation you deserve.