Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma is quite rare. There are an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma each year in the United States. The occurrence of mesotheliomas in the United States increased from 1970 to 1990 and then stabilized. It may now be declining. Most of the past increase in cases, as well as the recent decrease in cases, has been in men. The rate, although lower, has been fairly stable for women. In European countries and world wide, the mesotheliomas statistics is still increasing.

Mesothelioma is rare in people below age 55. Its occurrence increases with age. Three-fourths of people with mesothelioma are over 65 years old. The asbestos disease affects men 5 times more often than women. Mesothelioma statistics show that it is less common in African Americans than in white Americans.

Mesothelioma is a severe disease. The only identified cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. By the time the symptoms materialize and cancer is diagnosed, the disease is often advanced. The average survival time is about 1 year. The 5-year relative survival rate is approximately 10%, but this rate has been gradually improving.

The mesothelioma statistic of 5-year survival time refers to the percentage of patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed. Many of these patients live much longer than 5 years after diagnosis, and 5-year rates are used to create a standard way of discussing prognosis. Five-year relative survival rates do not include patients dying of other diseases and are considered to be a more precise way to describe the prognosis for patients with a particular type and phase of cancer.

That means that relative survival only talks about deaths from mesothelioma. Certainly, 5-year survival rates are based on patients diagnosed and initially treated more than 5 years ago. They may no longer be correct. Improvements in treatment result in a more encouraging outlook for recently diagnosed patients.