Pleural mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that forms in the thin lining surrounding the lungs. It is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos, often through occupational or military service. Most patients are diagnosed decades after their exposure—typically in their 60s or 70s—when symptoms like chest pain, persistent cough, or shortness of breath begin to interfere with daily life.

Until recently, treatment options were limited and largely palliative. But in the last few years, the outlook has begun to shift. New immunotherapy regimens, refinements in surgical technique, and more personalized chemotherapy combinations have improved survival for some patients. In 2025, physicians have more tools—and more data—than ever before.

This page explores the most current treatment options for pleural mesothelioma, along with the latest survival statistics and factors that influence prognosis. We also explain how patients can access treatment, including how asbestos lawsuits and trust funds can help cover the cost of care.

Prognosis For Pleural Mesothelioma in 2025

Pleural mesothelioma remains a challenging cancer to treat, and the prognosis can vary widely based on several key factors. While the average life expectancy after diagnosis is still measured in months rather than years, newer treatments are improving outcomes for some patients—especially those diagnosed early or with favorable tumor characteristics.

Median Survival by Cell Type

Histological subtype is one of the strongest predictors of survival. Different cell types respond differently to treatment and tend to progress at different rates.

• Epithelioid mesothelioma (the most common form) has the best prognosis, with a median overall survival of 18–21 months in recent trials. These tumors tend to grow more slowly and respond better to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens.³

• Biphasic mesothelioma (a mix of epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells) shows a median survival of about 12 months. The prognosis is intermediate because the more aggressive sarcomatoid elements often drive faster progression. ¹

• Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the most aggressive subtype, with median survival often below 9 months, and in some datasets as low as 4 months. These tumors are more resistant to treatment and often present at an advanced stage. ⁴

Other Prognostic Factors

Survival also depends on:

• Stage at diagnosis: Localized disease (Stages I–II) is often amenable to aggressive treatment like surgery or multimodal therapy, with median survival ranging from 20 to 30 months, especially for patients with epithelioid tumors and good performance status. In contrast, patients diagnosed at Stage III typically have median survival of 12–18 months, and those with Stage IV disease often have survival under 12 months, depending on tumor burden, metastasis, and treatment access. ^{1, 3}

• Performance status (ECOG): The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status is a scale that measures a patient's level of functioning, from 0 (fully active) to 5 (deceased). Patients with lower ECOG scores—meaning they are more physically active and independent—generally tolerate treatments better and tend to live longer. This measure is commonly used to determine eligibility for surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

• Treatment access and histology-tailored care: Eligibility for surgery or immunotherapy can substantially extend life expectancy, particularly for patients with epithelioid histology or resectable disease. Access to specialized cancer centers, multidisciplinary teams, and clinical trials is also associated with better outcomes, as patients are more likely to receive guideline-based, individualized treatment plans.

• Tumor biomarkers: While no single biomarker is definitive, loss of the BAP1 tumor suppressor gene is often seen in epithelioid mesothelioma and may be associated with longer survival. In contrast, high PD-L1 expression—more common in sarcomatoid and biphasic types—is linked to poorer prognosis but may predict better response to immunotherapy. ⁴

Long-Term Survival is Possible

Though rare, some patients survive several years with mesothelioma. These cases typically involve early-stage detection, epithelioid histology, and access to multimodal care that combines surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. A small subset of patients in recent trials experienced ongoing response to immunotherapy beyond two years, suggesting that long-term control may be possible in select cases. ⁴

That’s why it’s important not to give up hope. Statistics reflect population averages, not individual destinies—and every year, some patients defy the odds. If you're diagnosed with mesothelioma, there's no way to predict for certain whether you'll be one of the long-term responders. Advances in treatment, combined with your unique biology and circumstances, may open doors that statistics can't foresee. The only way to find out is to explore all your options, stay informed, and fight for the best care available.

Hospitalization and Inpatient Care Costs

For many mesothelioma patients, the most expensive part of treatment isn’t always the surgery or medication—it’s the hospital stay itself. Whether you’re admitted for major procedures, symptom management, or complications, inpatient hospitalization can quickly become a six-figure expense.

The tables below are based on a nationwide analysis of hospital discharge records from 1,675 mesothelioma patients, offering a detailed snapshot of how age and region impact both cost and length of care. ¹

Hospitalization Costs by Region

Hospitalization costs vary widely across the U.S. due to differences in hospital types, regional labor costs, and intensity of services provided. The Northeast region consistently shows the highest average mesothelioma hospitalization costs—but that’s not necessarily a drawback. This region is home to some of the earliest and most respected mesothelioma treatment centers in the country, a legacy that traces back to Dr. Irving Selikoff and Mount Sinai’s pioneering research into asbestos disease. Many top academic hospitals in the Northeast offer advanced surgical care, multimodal therapy, and access to clinical trials—which can increase costs but also improve outcomes. For patients seeking the best chance at extended survival, the added cost often reflects higher quality and more aggressive treatment.

Cost and Length of Stay by Age

Hospitalization costs and lengths of stay vary significantly by age group in mesothelioma cases—largely due to differences in treatment eligibility, health status, and disease progression at diagnosis. Patients between ages 45 and 64 had the highest average hospital costs ($30,845) and longest stays (9.0 days), reflecting their eligibility for more aggressive treatment like surgery or multi-agent chemotherapy. In contrast, patients over 85—who are often less suitable for intensive procedures due to comorbidities—incurred the lowest average costs ($15,534) and had shorter, less invasive hospitalizations.

These patterns also reflect the natural latency of mesothelioma, which often develops 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. That’s why most hospital discharges (66.6%) involved patients aged 65 to 84, while only 3% were under 45. Mesothelioma is primarily a disease of older adults—not because they were exposed later, but because the cancer takes decades to appear. This latency-driven age distribution means the cost burden—and the treatment decisions—are often shaped as much by timing as by tumor biology.

Why Higher Hospital Charges May Be Worth It

It’s true that academic and specialized cancer centers often bill more than smaller community hospitals—but with mesothelioma, you often get what you pay for. A large national study of mesothelioma patients found that those treated at academic facilities lived significantly longer than those treated at community hospitals—24.8 months vs. 11.6 months median survival, respectively. ⁸

The difference wasn’t just due to the patients—it was the care they received. Academic centers were twice as likely to perform life-extending surgery, and nearly three times more likely to administer advanced same-day chemotherapy protocols. These higher costs often reflect more aggressive, evidence-based treatment—and better survival.

The bottom line: if you have mesothelioma, the most experienced hospitals often cost more—but they also give you the best shot at living longer.

And thanks to asbestos trust funds, legal settlements, and veterans’ benefits, there’s no reason you should have to settle for second-best. We help patients use those resources to access top-tier care—not just what's covered, but what's truly best.

📞 Call 833-4-ASBESTOS to learn how legal compensation can help you access the highest-quality mesothelioma treatment, wherever it’s offered.

Surgical Treatments for Pleural Mesothelioma

Surgery can play a role in treating pleural mesothelioma, particularly for patients diagnosed at earlier stages and with epithelioid tumors. The goal of surgery is not usually to cure the disease, but to remove as much tumor burden as possible, relieve symptoms, and potentially extend survival when used as part of a multimodal approach.

Common Surgical Procedures and Their Cost

Pleurectomy/Decortication (P/D)
This lung-sparing procedure removes the pleura (the membrane lining the lung) and any visible tumor growth. In some cases, portions of the diaphragm or pericardium may also be removed. P/D is considered less invasive than more radical surgeries and is associated with fewer complications and faster recovery.

• Average hospital charges: $54,000–$65,000 ⁶

• Recovery time: Typically 2–4 weeks, but varies by patient condition

• Best candidates: Early-stage patients with epithelioid tumors and no lymph node involvement

Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP)
A more aggressive approach, EPP involves removing the entire affected lung, part of the diaphragm, the pleura, and the pericardium. Because of the complexity and physical toll, EPP is only considered for patients with excellent cardiopulmonary reserve and very localized tumors.

• Average hospital charges: $62,000–$82,000+ (depending on ICU time, complications, and facility billing) ²

• Recovery time: Often 4–6 weeks or longer, with more intensive rehabilitation

• Risks: Higher complication rate and longer hospital stays compared to P/D

Note: These figures reflect national averages; prices vary dramatically by region and by type of facility.

Effectiveness and Survival Outcomes

Surgical outcomes vary by procedure type, patient health, and tumor subtype. In the MARS 2 trial, patients who underwent extended pleurectomy/decortication plus chemotherapy had worse survival (median 19.3 months) and lower quality of life than those who received chemotherapy alone (median 24.8 months), suggesting that the risks of surgery may outweigh the benefits in some cases. ¹ However, other studies suggest that minimally invasive P/D techniques, such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), may offer better recovery times and fewer complications.

Importantly, surgery alone is rarely curative. It is typically offered only as part of multimodal treatment, combined with chemotherapy and, in some cases, immunotherapy or radiation. Patients with epithelioid histology and Stage I–II disease are most likely to be considered surgical candidates.

Chemotherapy for Pleural Mesothelioma: What It Does — and What It Costs

Chemotherapy remains a critical part of pleural mesothelioma treatment, especially for patients with advanced-stage disease or those not eligible for surgery. While not curative on its own, chemotherapy can:

• Slow tumor growth

• Relieve symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath

• Extend survival and improve quality of life

The most common first-line regimen is a combination of pemetrexed (Alimta) and cisplatin, which has become the standard of care for mesothelioma worldwide.

Pemetrexed and Cisplatin: The Standard of Care

The combination of pemetrexed (an antifolate) and cisplatin (a platinum-based agent) has been extensively studied and is recommended by most major oncology guidelines. These drugs work synergistically to disrupt cancer cell replication:

• Pemetrexed interferes with folate-dependent enzymes, which are crucial for a cell to make DNA and RNA—the building blocks of life. By blocking these enzymes, pemetrexed stops cancer cells from copying their genetic material, which they need in order to grow and divide. This slows the spread of the cancer and can help shrink existing tumors

• Cisplatin works by damaging the DNA inside cancer cells, like punching holes in the instruction manual they need to survive. Unlike healthy cells, mesothelioma cells often can't repair this damage. As a result, the cells self-destruct, making cisplatin one of the most powerful tools in chemotherapy.

In a pivotal Phase III trial, patients treated with pemetrexed and cisplatin lived a median of 12.1 months, compared to 9.3 months with cisplatin alone—a statistically significant improvement in survival. The combination also led to better symptom control and improved quality of life measures. ^{3 4}

This chemotherapy regimen is not only medically effective—it is also widely recognized by asbestos trust funds and legal settlements as a qualifying treatment expense. Many patients are able to recover these costs through legal claims.

What It Costs: Pemetrexed + Cisplatin

• Wholesale Drug Cost (6 Cycles):
  The estimated wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) for six cycles of pemetrexed and cisplatin is approximately $38,000–$39,000. Notably, pemetrexed accounts for around 95% of this total cost. 1

• Hospital/Clinic Billing Per Cycle:
  The cost billed by hospitals or clinics for administering each cycle of chemotherapy, including infusion services, typically ranges between $30,000 and $40,000.

• Total Billed Cost for a Full Course:
  When factoring in infusion services, side-effect management, and supportive care, the total billed cost for a full six-cycle course often exceeds $100,000.

• Out-of-Pocket Burden:
  The out-of-pocket expenses for patients can vary significantly based on factors such as:

  • Insurance Coverage: The extent of coverage for chemotherapy drugs and associated services.

  • Copays and Deductibles: These can substantially influence the financial burden.

  • Assistance Programs: Availability of financial assistance or patient support programs can help offset costs.

Additionally, the inclusion of newer agents like bevacizumab in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin can further increase treatment costs by an estimated $8,160 per month.

That’s why legal compensation matters. Asbestos trust funds and lawsuits can help cover the cost of chemotherapy, supportive care, and lost income during treatment.

Benefits of Pemetrexed + Cisplatin

• Improved Survival: Extends median survival by several months compared to monotherapy. While that may sound modest, even a few extra months can be profoundly meaningful—allowing patients more time with family, the chance to pursue additional treatments, or simply enjoy life.

• Symptom Relief: Helps reduce chest pain, pleural effusions, and breathing difficulties. By shrinking tumors or slowing their growth, chemotherapy can lessen the pressure on the lungs and chest cavity, helping patients breathe more easily and experience less day-to-day discomfort.

• Quality of Life Gains: Shown to improve fatigue, appetite, and daily functioning. Many patients report feeling more energetic and able to engage in normal activities again—whether that’s preparing meals, walking the dog, or spending time with grandchildren.

• Evidence-Backed: Thousands of patients have received this regimen, with strong clinical support and consistent outcomes. It is the most widely studied chemotherapy approach for mesothelioma, supported by decades of research and included in all major treatment guidelines worldwide.

However, not all patients can tolerate pemetrexed due to kidney function issues, low blood counts, or prior adverse reactions. In these cases, physicians may recommend other combinations—most notably gemcitabine and cisplatin.

Gemcitabine and Cisplatin: An Important Alternative

The gemcitabine–cisplatin combination offers a valuable alternative for patients who are not candidates for pemetrexed. Like the standard regimen, it combines two agents with complementary mechanisms of action:

• Gemcitabine mimics nucleosides, which are the natural building blocks of DNA, and tricks cancer cells into using it during DNA replication. Once inserted, it disrupts the DNA copying process, halting cell division and triggering cell death. Because cancer cells divide more rapidly than normal cells, they are especially vulnerable to this kind of targeted disruption.

• Cisplatin, again, damages the DNA structure directly, enhancing the cytotoxic effect.

While this combination is not as well studied as pemetrexed-based chemotherapy, several clinical trials have reported response rates of 12% to 48% and median survival ranging from 9.6 to 11.2 months in mesothelioma patients. ³These outcomes make it a competitive first-line or second-line choice in select populations.

What It Costs: Gemcitabine-Based Regimens

• Drug Costs Per Cycle:
  The cost of gemcitabine-based regimens is generally lower than pemetrexed-based regimens, with drug costs per cycle estimated in the $5,000–$10,000 range. For example, the cost per 200 mg of gemcitabine is approximately $4.11, and the cost per 100 mg of cisplatin is approximately $19.56. These lower drug costs contribute to the overall affordability of gemcitabine-based regimens compared to pemetrexed. 

• Hospital Billing Per Cycle:
  The hospital or clinic billing for administering gemcitabine-based regimens, including infusion services, typically ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 per cycle, depending on the infusion setting and associated services.

• Supportive Care and Side-Effect Medications:
  The average monthly cost for supportive care and medications to manage side effects is estimated at $1,000–$2,000.

• Overall Financial Commitment:
  While gemcitabine-based regimens are slightly less expensive than pemetrexed-based regimens, they still represent a significant financial burden. This is particularly true for uninsured or underinsured patients, as the cumulative costs of multiple cycles, supportive care, and infusion services can add up quickly.

Benefits of Gemcitabine + Cisplatin

• Alternative for Sensitive Patients: Often used in those who cannot tolerate pemetrexed.

• Tumor Shrinkage: Has shown measurable reductions in tumor size in many patients.

• Symptom Control: Improves pain and respiratory function, especially in bulky disease.

• Moderate Side Effect Profile: Generally manageable in older or frail individuals.

Gemcitabine is also being evaluated in maintenance therapy settings and in combination with immunotherapy in ongoing trials, which may expand its future role.

Immunotherapy for Pleural Mesothelioma

Immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising advances in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma, particularly for patients with unresectable or advanced-stage disease. Unlike chemotherapy, which directly targets cancer cells, immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system recognize and attack the tumor—a powerful strategy for a cancer that historically resisted most conventional treatments.

How Immunotherapy Works

Many mesothelioma tumors produce proteins that "hide" them from immune cells, allowing the cancer to grow unchecked. Immunotherapy drugs called immune checkpoint inhibitors block this hiding mechanism. By doing so, they "re-activate" the immune system, enabling it to identify mesothelioma cells as dangerous and destroy them.

The two most common targets of these drugs are:

• PD-1/PD-L1: Proteins that act like brakes on immune cells; blocking them releases the brakes and restores immune attack.

• CTLA-4: Another immune “off switch” that, when blocked, increases T-cell activation and tumor surveillance.

FDA-Approved First-Line Option: Nivolumab + Ipilimumab

The CheckMate 743 trial changed the treatment landscape by showing that the combination of nivolumab (anti-PD-1) and ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) significantly improved survival in mesothelioma patients. For patients with unresectable pleural mesothelioma, median overall survival was 18.1 months with immunotherapy, compared to 14.1 months for those receiving chemotherapy. ⁴

The benefits were especially notable for patients with non-epithelioid histology, a group that typically responds poorly to chemotherapy. In this group, immunotherapy nearly doubled survival compared to chemo (18.1 vs. 8.8 months). ⁴

Unlike chemotherapy, which works quickly but may lose effectiveness, immunotherapy can take longer to begin working—but in some patients, it leads to durable, long-term responses.

Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma: Costs and Coverage

Checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy—especially the combination of nivolumab (Opdivo) and ipilimumab (Yervoy)—has become a promising treatment for mesothelioma, particularly in unresectable cases. These therapies work by reactivating the immune system’s ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells, and have been shown to improve survival in patients with both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.

However, the benefits come with a steep financial cost.

What Immunotherapy Costs

1. Cost Per Cycle:

   • The combined cost per cycle of nivolumab and ipilimumab is approximately $38,450.07, with a total cost of $153,800 for four cycles. ^{6 7}

   • Nivolumab alone costs approximately $87,000 for four cycles. ⁷

2. Insurance and Out-of-Pocket Costs:

   • Even with insurance, co-pays for immunotherapy can reach thousands of dollars per month, depending on the patient's coverage plan.

   • Copay assistance programs and manufacturer support programs are often necessary to reduce the financial burden for patients.

3. Comparison to Chemotherapy:

   • Immunotherapy is significantly more expensive than traditional chemotherapy regimens, such as pemetrexed and cisplatin, which cost approximately $38,000–$39,000 for six cycles in drug costs alone. ²

4. Economic Considerations:

   • The high cost of checkpoint inhibitors has raised concerns about their accessibility, particularly in the second-line or salvage setting, where their use may be limited due to financial constraints. ⁷

While checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and ipilimumab offer significant survival benefits, their high cost remains a major barrier to widespread use. Financial assistance programs and insurance coverage are critical to ensuring that patients can access these life-extending therapies.

While many states place limits on pain and suffering awards in asbestos lawsuits, no state limits compensation for medical expenses. For most of our clients, access to life-extending care—not money—was the reason they chose to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Legal action can be the difference between limited options and the best treatment available.

Other Promising Combinations

Several newer combinations are also showing potential in clinical trials:

• Durvalumab + Chemotherapy (DREAM and PrE0505 trials): Median survival of 18.4–20.4 months, with many patients achieving tumor shrinkage or disease stability. Durvalumab is an anti–PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor that allows immune cells to detect and attack cancer cells more effectively. When combined with chemotherapy, which kills cancer cells and releases tumor antigens, the immune system may be better “primed” to mount a response, resulting in synergistic effects.

• Pembrolizumab + Chemotherapy (IND227 trial): Showed a survival benefit, especially in non-epithelioid patients, who usually have fewer treatment options. Pembrolizumab is an anti–PD-1 antibody that restores immune T-cell activity against tumors. Its benefit was most pronounced in patients with non-epithelioid mesothelioma, where standard chemotherapy has historically been less effective, suggesting that immune-based strategies may overcome resistance in harder-to-treat tumors.

• Atezolizumab + Bevacizumab + Chemotherapy (BEAT-meso trial): Modest improvements in progression-free survival; still under review for broader use. Atezolizumab blocks PD-L1, while bevacizumab inhibits VEGF, a protein that helps tumors grow new blood vessels. By starving the tumor’s blood supply and simultaneously activating the immune system, this combination aims to both suppress growth and improve immune detection—but the overall survival benefit has been less clear so far.

These therapies are being explored for first-line and second-line use, depending on patient characteristics and tumor biology.

Benefits of Immunotherapy for Pleural Mesothelioma

• Long-Term Control in Select Patients: Some patients experience durable responses lasting two years or more—something rarely seen with chemotherapy alone.

• Better Tolerability for Some Patients: While side effects can be serious, especially autoimmune-related ones, many patients find immunotherapy easier to tolerate than traditional chemo.

• Hope for Hard-to-Treat Subtypes: Immunotherapy offers new hope for patients with sarcomatoid or biphasic histology, who previously had few effective options.

Other Therapies and Clinical Trials for Pleural Mesothelioma

For patients who have exhausted standard treatments—or who want access to the most cutting-edge care—clinical trials and emerging therapies offer new hope. Researchers are actively exploring novel drug combinations, targeted therapies, and cellular treatments that could reshape how pleural mesothelioma is treated in the coming years.

Anti-VEGF Therapies

Drugs that block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) aim to cut off the tumor’s blood supply, starving it of oxygen and nutrients. Two of the most studied agents in this category are:

• Ramucirumab (rah-myoo-SIR-oo-mab), which targets VEGF receptor 2. In a Phase II trial, it was combined with gemcitabine and showed a modest survival benefit, especially as a second-line therapy in patients who had progressed after platinum-based chemo.

• Nintedanib (nin-TED-uh-nib), a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor, was evaluated in combination with cisplatin and pemetrexed. While early studies showed promise, a larger Phase III trial failed to improve progression-free survival, and enthusiasm for this regimen has declined.

Overall, anti-angiogenic therapies have shown mixed success in mesothelioma—possibly due to the cancer’s complex blood vessel structure and immune evasion tactics—but they remain under investigation in combination with other drugs. ³

Cellular Therapies and Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs)

Researchers are also exploring more precise ways to attack cancer cells, including cellular therapies and antibody-based treatments:

• Anetumab ravtansine (uh-NET-oo-mab rav-TAN-seen) is an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) that specifically targets mesothelin, a protein often overexpressed in mesothelioma. The antibody delivers a potent chemotherapy agent directly to the tumor cells while sparing most healthy tissue. In early trials, this drug was paired with pembrolizumab (pem-broh-LIZ-oo-mab), an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and showed encouraging results for tumor control and patient safety.

• Other investigational ADCs and CAR T-cell therapies (which engineer a patient’s immune cells to attack cancer) are in very early stages but hold long-term promise for highly personalized treatment approaches.

These treatments are not yet FDA-approved for mesothelioma but may be available through clinical trials at academic cancer centers.

Clinical Trials and Precision Medicine

Access to clinical trials is one of the most important opportunities for patients with mesothelioma, especially as new therapies move from research to real-world application. Many trials offer first access to promising treatments that aren’t available anywhere else.

Precision medicine is also playing a growing role. Although mesothelioma doesn’t typically have high mutation rates, rare gene alterations like NTRK or ALK fusions may be detected through molecular profiling. These patients may qualify for targeted therapies already approved for other cancers.

Broad genetic testing (next-generation sequencing) is now recommended in many guidelines for mesothelioma patients, to help identify rare mutations that could open the door to clinical trial enrollment or off-label targeted therapy.

If you or a loved one has pleural mesothelioma, it’s worth asking your doctor about clinical trial options, especially at major cancer centers or mesothelioma specialty clinics. Participating in a trial may offer access to breakthrough treatments—and contributes to future advances that can benefit others as well.

How We Can Help Families Affected by Pleural Mesothelioma

A mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming—but you don’t have to face it alone. Our law firm's founder was personally affected by asbestos-related cancer, and we’ve spent years helping families get the care and compensation they deserve. We understand the emotional and financial strain this disease brings, and our mission is to lift as much of that burden as we can.

Accessing Expert Care for Pleural Mesothelioma

Where you receive treatment for pleural mesothelioma can make a life-changing difference. Specialized cancer centers—particularly those with expertise in thoracic oncology and mesothelioma—are far more likely to offer advanced treatment options, access to clinical trials, and multidisciplinary care teams. But for many families, getting to these facilities isn’t easy.

We help change that.

Many of the clients we represent don’t live near a mesothelioma center of excellence. That’s why we routinely assist with the logistics and costs of traveling for better care. In qualifying cases, we may:

• Advance the cost of travel or lodging near a specialty center

• Coordinate medical record transfers and referrals

• Help expedite appointments with leading oncologists or thoracic surgeons

• Identify clinical trials or cutting-edge therapies available based on your diagnosis

You deserve the best possible care—not just what’s nearby or covered by insurance. For many of our clients, this need is exactly why they chose to file a lawsuit. Not for money’s sake—but to unlock access to lifesaving treatment options that would otherwise be out of reach.

Trust Funds and Lawsuit Compensation Can Fund Treatment

Even if you never file a lawsuit, asbestos trust funds may provide compensation that can help cover:

• Travel and lodging expenses near out-of-state hospitals

• Supportive services like home care or caregiving help during treatment

• Copays, deductibles, or drugs not fully covered by insurance

• Out-of-pocket costs for experimental or off-label therapies like immunotherapy

We also help veterans use VA healthcare in combination with trust or settlement money to broaden their access—without affecting eligibility for federal benefits.

Learn more about the legal options available to families affected by pleural mesothelioma.

Why This Matters

Academic hospitals and major cancer centers aren’t just more expensive—they’re more effective. Studies show patients treated at specialized facilities live significantly longer, with higher rates of surgery, advanced therapy access, and survival. But cost and complexity should never stand in the way of that care.

We exist to break down those barriers—and give your family the strongest possible foundation for healing and hope.

📞 Call 833-4-ASBESTOS to learn how we can help you access expert care, manage travel, and secure compensation to fund your treatment—no matter where you live.

Why Our Clients Rely Upon Us to Help Their Families

• We understand the disease. Our founding attorney lost multiple family members to asbestos-related cancer—including his grandfather, father, and grandmother. He knows firsthand what it feels like to watch someone you love fight this illness. That experience shaped how we practice law: with compassion, urgency, and a deep respect for what our clients are going through. This isn’t just our work—it’s personal. That’s why we’ve built one of the most comprehensive asbestos litigation knowledge bases in the country, including millions of pages of corporate documents, scientific studies, court filings, and exposure records. We know this fight from every angle—and we bring that knowledge to every client we serve.

• We take care of the paperwork. When you're dealing with a cancer diagnosis, the last thing you should have to worry about is gathering old job records or medical files. We handle all of it—from filing claims to tracking down exposure evidence. Our team works with medical experts, industrial hygienists, and investigators to reconstruct your exposure history, even if it happened decades ago. We know where asbestos was used, who made it, and how to build the strongest possible case—because we’ve done it thousands of times before. You focus on your care; we’ll take care of the rest.

• We work nationwide. Whether you were exposed on a Navy ship, in a petrochemical plant, at a construction site, or in an auto shop—we can help, no matter where you live now. We have offices in California, Washington, Texas, and Arizona, and we routinely represent clients across the country. With our top-tier virtual technology, we make it easy to meet with you by phone or video. And if you prefer a face-to-face visit, we’ll travel to you—at no cost. Our goal is to make the legal process simple, convenient, and accessible to every mesothelioma family we serve.

• No upfront costs. You never pay us out-of-pocket. We front all legal costs ourselves, covering everything from expert witness fees to court filings. You owe us nothing unless we recover money for you. That’s how confident we are in our ability to win. Over the years, we’ve recovered more than $400 million for families affected by asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. We take on all the risk—so you can focus on healing, knowing we’re fighting for the financial support your family deserves.

A Path Forward for You and Your Family

Your medical team is fighting for your health. Let us fight for your financial future and for your family's legacy. We’ll walk you through your legal options, help determine which trust funds or companies are responsible, and take swift action so you can focus on your care—not your bills.

Contact us today for a free consultation. There’s no obligation, and every conversation is 100% confidential.

References

1. Jain M, Crites MK, Rich P, Bajantri B. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Comprehensive Review. J Clin Med. 2024;13(19):5837. doi:10.3390/jcm13195837

2. Borrelli E, Babcock Z, Kogut S. Costs of medical care for mesothelioma. Rare Tumors. 2019;11:2036361319863498. doi:10.1177/2036361319863498

3. Imai H. Current drug therapy for pleural mesothelioma. Respir Investig. 2025;63(3):200–209. doi:10.1016/j.resinv.2024.12.017

4. Chiec L, Bruno DS. Immunotherapy for Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma: Current and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(19):10861. doi:10.3390/ijms251910861

5. Cedres S, Calvete J, Taylor-Stokes G, et al. Treatment patterns and humanistic burden of malignant pleural mesothelioma in Spain. Clin Transl Oncol. 2025;27:213–222. doi:10.1007/s12094-024-03591-5

6. Borrelli, E. P., & McGladrigan, C. G. (2021). A Review of Pharmacologic Management in the Treatment of Mesothelioma. Current treatment options in oncology, 22(2), 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-020-00807-y

7. Gray, S.G. Emerging avenues in immunotherapy for the management of malignant pleural mesothelioma. BMC Pulm Med 21, 148 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-021-01513-7

8. Welten, V. M., Fields, A. C., Malizia, R. A., Yoo, J., Irani, J. L., Goldberg, J. E., Bleday, R., & Melnitchouk, N. (2022). Survival Outcomes for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma at Academic Versus Community Hospitals. Journal of gastrointestinal surgery : official journal of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, 26(1), 161–170. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-021-05084-0