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The cost of mesothelioma treatment.

Dealing with the Costs of Mesothelioma

Managing the costs of treating mesothelioma can be a challenge. Treatments are expensive and the cost of traveling to medical appointments and accessing special therapies adds up. Many people can’t work very much or at all, leading to lost income. And insurance only covers so much.

Knowing what is ahead can help you plan and find resources. Charities, government assistance and legal compensation are just some of the options you may qualify for. We’ll guide you through how to handle the costs of treating mesothelioma.

Written by: Lisa Merriam | Medical review by: MaryAnne DePietro B.S. CRT | Legal review by: Jamie Pfeiffer, JD |

Updated on:Jul 23, 2025

What costs should I expect with mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. The exact cost of treating mesothelioma depends on your specific treatment plan, which is based on the stage of your cancer, your overall health and your personal preferences.

Unexpected expenses beyond medical bills include out-of-network charges, travel and hotels away from home for specialized care and the cost of caregivers. Try to budget and plan ahead as much as possible, making sure to research insurance coverage and potential sources of financial aid that may help you pay for mesothelioma treatment.

Find out if your mesothelioma was caused by exposure to a dangerous product

“Mesothelioma is often linked to exposure to asbestos, which was used for decades in building materials, industrial jobs and even talcum powder. Many people had no idea they were being exposed to something so dangerous. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to file a lawsuit and seek compensation.”

Learn more about the connection between mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos and talcum powder:

— Jamie Pfeiffer, JD, Medical Contributor
Explore Asbestos Risks
Explore Talcum Powder Risks

The average cost for treating mesothelioma

Getting treatment for mesothelioma is costly. Your out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance could top $35,000. Treatment may put you under a real financial burden. Ask your care team for an itemized estimate for at least the first year of treatment, so you have a specific number in mind when exploring your payment options for mesothelioma treatment.

How do I figure out my mesothelioma treatment costs?

The cost of your specific mesothelioma treatment depends on many factors, including the stage of your cancer and the type of mesothelioma you have. Whether it’s in the lining of your lungs, the lining of your heart, your abdomen or your testicles will affect the type and cost of the treatments you’ll get.

Your treatment plan may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Each has varying costs. It is vital to know what your insurance will cover. You may have to pay directly for specialized treatment centers, travel, lodging and the cost of home caregivers. You may not be able to work full-time or at all, so calculate your lost income when estimating your costs.

More information about mesothelioma

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Mesothelioma early warning signs & symptoms

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Diagnosed with mesothelioma.

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Knowing what to expect after a mesothelioma diagnosis can help you be more prepared. Here are the details.

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Explore how to care for and support a loved one who’s living with mesothelioma.

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Detailed breakdown of mesothelioma expenses

Mesothelioma treatment costs vary widely based on your situation and location. Below are some of the most common treatments and their costs. You may not need all of them, but seeing what might be included helps give you a picture of what you might be facing. Getting estimated costs can be useful as you explore options for mesothelioma financial assistance.

How much is mesothelioma chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat mesothelioma. The cost will vary depending on the drugs used and the number of cycles you need to go through. The most common drugs are Pemetrexed (Alimta) and Cisplatin or Carboplatin. Refer to this chart to get an idea of what your costs may be for treatments with these drugs.

Another common drug used in mesothelioma treatment is Bevacizumab (Avastin). This drug can be expensive, but financial assistance options are available to help you cover the costs. What you’ll pay will depend on your insurance co-pays, your annual deductible and your out-of-pocket maximum, along with costs that aren’t covered.

How much does mesothelioma radiation treatment cost?

The typical range for mesothelioma radiation treatment is $4,500 to $50,000, with each individual session usually costing between $4,700 and $6,700. Your cost will depend on how many sessions you need, the specific type of radiation, whether it's combined with other therapies and the facility providing the care.

Costs of mesothelioma treatments.

How much will it cost me to get mesothelioma surgery?

The cost of mesothelioma surgery varies based on the stage of your disease, where your tumors are located and other individual factors.

If you need one of your lungs removed, the average cost for the procedure is $31,900. This price is likely to go up if you need surgery to remove tumors and the outer lining of your lungs and chest cavity, known as a pleurectomy and decortication (P/D). The cost to drain your pleural cavity, or the chest area around your lungs, will vary based on the specific procedure that’s being done and whether it’s performed at a hospital or outpatient clinic.

How much does immunotherapy for mesothelioma cost?

A new and promising therapy uses your own immune system to identify and kill cancer cells. Various drugs are used to kick off the immune response. The cost of each varies, but you should expect additional costs. These may include medication to control the side effects or hospitalizations as a result of immunotherapy drugs. It’s also possible that you’ll need to travel to a distant hospital for these specialized treatments.

The commonly used immunotherapy drugs are:

  • Opdivo (Nivolumab): The list price without insurance ranges from about $1,300 to $7,800 per dose, with larger doses being more expensive.

  • Yervoy (Ipilimumab): Based on the dosage, you can expect to pay between $8,850 and $35,500 for this medication without insurance.

  • Keytruda (Pembrolizumab): Without insurance, a course of this medication costs about $11,800 when given every three weeks and $23,600 when given every six weeks.

How expensive is palliative care for mesothelioma?

Some care focuses more on improving your quality of life than actively treating the disease. This is called palliative care. The goal of palliative care is to reduce pain and additional symptoms and improve your quality of life. Some insurance policies cover some of the costs, but you can generally expect high out-of-pocket expenses. These may include:

  • Removing fluid from your chest area, called paracentesis, averages $1,603.

  • Medications for managing pain and symptoms vary in cost.

  • Home care costs depend on whether you need a licensed caregiver or nurse, and how many hours a day of help you need, but can top $50,000.

  • Home hospice care is around $218.61 to $1,566 a day.

  • The costs of transportation, additional living expenses and the effect of lost income vary.

What are the hidden costs of mesothelioma?

Unexpected mesothelioma expenses.

In addition to medical bills, mesothelioma can lead to many unexpected expenses that strain your budget. You may need to travel to see specialists, take time off work or pay out of pocket for supportive care. These added costs can be overwhelming, especially when you're already dealing with a serious illness.

Financial support may help you manage expenses such as:

  • Lost or reduced wages when you cannot work or need time off for treatments.

  • Travel and hotel costs when you need to go to a mesothelioma treatment center.

  • Special food and nutritional supplements to manage the side effects of treatment and keep your strength up.

  • Emotional support, including therapy and anxiety medications.

  • Other drugs for dealing with nausea, pain and other side effects.

The emotional toll of mesothelioma

The emotional toll of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is physically hard on you, but it can be just as hard on your emotions. You may feel a rollercoaster of emotions related to the disease, treatments and your prognosis. Fear about the future and what will happen to your loved ones, sadness about your own losses and the stress of complicated treatments and costs can all take a toll on you and those who care for you.

Common emotional issues include:

  • Fear and anxiety about your current situation and what you will face during the course of the disease.

  • Sadness, even depression, about your lost health, independence and the plans you had for your future.

  • Frustration and anger related to the cause of your disease, the complicated healthcare system and financial issues.

  • Guilt over the burden you might feel you are putting on loved ones.

  • Loneliness and isolation that result from losing your old routines and not being able to see friends and coworkers.

  • Exhaustion from the demands of treatment and dealing with the stress.

  • Relationship problems that can happen when family roles change.

Could past exposure to a dangerous product be linked to your mesothelioma?

“Mesothelioma has been linked to past exposure to asbestos, which was once common in construction materials, industrial settings and even talcum powder. Because symptoms often take decades to appear, many people don’t realize how or when they were exposed. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to take legal action and seek compensation to help cover the cost of treatment.”

Learn more about the connection between mesothelioma and exposure to asbestos and talcum powder:

— MaryAnne DePietro B.S. CRT, Licensed Respiratory Therapist
Explore Asbestos Risks
Explore Talcum Powder Risks

How can I get financial help with mesothelioma treatment?

Getting help with mesothelioma treatment costs.

Given how expensive treating this disease is, you may need mesothelioma financial assistance. Many patients are eligible for help through mesothelioma funds set up by companies that exposed workers to asbestos.

Other financial help for mesothelioma cancer patients may be available through government programs like Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans Affairs. Charities also offer mesothelioma financial support to help pay for travel, hotels, co-pays and other expenses.

You may qualify to file a lawsuit against employers and manufacturers who exposed you to asbestos. If you can link your diagnosis to this exposure, you may qualify for a settlement that can help cover your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. A lawsuit can also help you hold these organizations accountable and get some justice for your situation. Learn more about your options for filing an asbestos lawsuit.

People who work in these industries can also carry asbestos particles home on their clothing and tools, exposing their family members and others to the harmful particles.

FAQs

  • When are you expected to pay for mesothelioma treatments?

    The timing of paying for mesothelioma treatments depends on the care you need and your insurance coverage. Some hospitals and providers require you to make an upfront payment in advance of surgery or chemotherapy. This is more likely if you do not have insurance or are getting treatment by providers who are out of your insurance network. You may also receive bills after office visits, lab work, imaging and other treatments.

  • Should I keep records of my mesothelioma expenses?

    Yes, you should keep detailed records of all expenses related to your mesothelioma. These include medical bills, added nutrition costs, travel, hotel, parking at the hospital, therapy, home assistance and more. When in doubt, get and save a receipt. These records will be important to prove your financial struggles if you decide to pursue legal compensation, access mesothelioma trust funds or apply for mesothelioma financial support.

  • Do mesothelioma clinical trials cost anything?

    You may qualify to participate in a clinical trial of an advanced mesothelioma treatment. In many cases, you may not have to pay for the cost of these treatments and related hospital stays. Get the details before you sign up. You’ll likely have to pay out-of-pocket for testing, travel, hotel and other medical procedures.

  • How expensive are new mesothelioma treatments?

    Newer treatments like experimental gene and cell therapies are costly. A single intervention may cost $500,000 to $3 million or more, not including extra hospital stays, travel and follow-up procedures. Insurance rarely covers experimental treatments. Even those approved by the FDA often require special authorization before you can begin them.

Meet the experts behind the article

Lisa Merriam
Lisa Merriam

Written by:

Lisa Merriam

Lisa Merriam is an experienced copywriter specializing in medical content, combining technical precision with clarity to ensure articles are accessible and accurate.

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MaryAnne DePietro B.S. CRT
MaryAnn DePietro

Medical review by:

MaryAnne DePietro B.S. CRT

MaryAnn DePietro is a licensed respiratory therapist with over 18 years of clinical experience in critical care, emergency medicine, and pulmonary rehabilitation. With a strong background in patient care and medical writing, MaryAnn provides a valuable medical perspective for reviewing health-related articles.

Read more
Jamie Pfeiffer, JD
Jamie Pfeiffer, JD

Legal review by:

Jamie Pfeiffer, JD

Jamie L. Pfeiffer is a retired attorney with extensive experience litigating large-scale asbestos and toxic tort cases in Illinois, Oregon, and Washington. She brings a wealth of legal expertise to reviewing articles about toxic exposure and legal accountability in mass torts.

Read more