Suggested links

Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that kills thousands of people each year. Recent statistics suggest that nearly 110,000 people have and will be diagnosed from 2005 to 2050, and it’s believed that 40,000 Americans die each year from all asbestos-caused diseases.

Medically reviewed by: Mark Levin, MD

Last updated:

Key Mesothelioma Cancer Statistics

So much about mesothelioma is shrouded in mystery due to its rarity. If you have been diagnosed with malignant (cancerous) mesothelioma, you may not fully know how you developed the disease, why it’s dangerous, or your treatment options.

Mesothelioma statistics can help you and your loved ones better understand this rare cancer and what treatment options may be available.

Here are some vital mesothelioma statistics:

  • Most cases of malignant mesothelioma are caused by asbestos exposure, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This cancer-causing mineral was once used in construction materials, insulation, and hundreds of other products.
  • There are 4 main types of mesothelioma, depending on where the cancer develops in the body.
    • Pleural mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and accounts for about 70-85% of all cases.
    • Peritoneal mesothelioma starts in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum). About 10-25% of patients are diagnosed with this type of mesothelioma.
    • Pericardial mesothelioma develops in the heart’s lining (pericardium), making up less than 1% of all cases.
    • Testicular mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of mesothelioma that develops in the lining of the testicles (tunica vaginalis). Only a few hundred cases have been reported.
  • Mesothelioma typically develops 10-50 years after exposure to asbestos fibers, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
  • Mesothelioma symptoms — such as a dry cough, difficulty breathing, and unexplained weight loss — typically start mild and gradually worsen over time.
  • Symptoms of mesothelioma may not even appear until the cancer has spread throughout the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  • Mesothelioma has no cure and is almost always fatal due to how late it is discovered. However, some people diagnosed with this cancer have achieved long-term survivorship with medical treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Need help navigating a mesothelioma diagnosis? Our caring and dedicated Patient Advocates can help you find top doctors, treatment options, financial assistance, and more.

Circular Patient Advocate Images
Get Help From a Patient Advocate

Our trusted advocates with 65+ years combined experience are ready to assist you.

Learn Moreor call (866) 608-8933

United States Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma is still a big concern in the United States.

  • According to the American Cancer Society, about 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed annually in the United States.
  • From 1999-2015, more than 45,000 people died from mesothelioma, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  • Mesothelioma deaths among women are on the rise, partly due to the rise of talcum powder-related cancer.
  • Asbestos — the leading cause of mesothelioma — is still not banned as of 2023. The annual use of asbestos hit 803,000 metric tons in 1973 and dropped to 320 metric tons in 2021.

Until asbestos use is banned in the United States, people are still at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer.

Some recent studies indicate that mesothelioma incidence rates drop when a country bans asbestos. One recent study showed that an asbestos ban in Scandinavian countries resulted in about 12 fewer mesothelioma cases a year.

Who Is at Risk of Mesothelioma?

Anyone who has come in contact with asbestos fibers could be at risk of mesothelioma today. That said, some demographics (groups of people) have a higher risk of exposure than others.

Mesothelioma Statistics by Age Groups

Age is an important mesothelioma risk factor. People 65 and older are more likely to develop mesothelioma since it usually takes 10-50 years for asbestos fibers to cause symptoms.

According to the ACS, the average age that people are diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma is 72 years old.

CDC data shows that roughly 94% of reported mesothelioma deaths occurred in people 55 and older.

Yet, mesothelioma can develop in people of any age — including young adults, teenagers, and even children.

  • In 2019, a 35-year-old man was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma after complaining of fever, chest pain, and a rapid heartbeat.
  • In 2015, Phoenix Children’s Hospital researchers reported on a 16-year-old with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.
  • In 2006, an 11-year-old girl in France received a mesothelioma diagnosis. She required several surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy before the cancer went into partial remission.

Because of this, anyone who has been exposed to asbestos should be medically examined for possible health problems such as mesothelioma.

Need help finding a top mesothelioma specialist for yourself or a loved one? Our team can help.

Mesothelioma doctor talking with an older couple
Free Mesothelioma Doctor Match

We'll help you connect with a local mesothelioma specialist for personalized treatment.

Find a Doctor Near You

Mesothelioma Statistics by Gender

According to the ACS, men are four times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than women. This is because men were more likely to work with asbestos products.

Approximately 85% of mesothelioma cases in men are connected to occupational asbestos exposure.

A 2022 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on mesothelioma in women found that:

  • From 1999-2020, 12,227 women died of mesothelioma.
  • In the past 20 years, the number of female mesothelioma deaths per year increased by 25%, from 489 in 1999 to 614 in 2020.
  • Based on available data, the jobs with the greatest mesothelioma mortality were homemakers (23%), followed by elementary or middle school teachers (6%), and registered nurses (5%).
  • Women with a husband or father working in an asbestos-related profession were 10 times more likely to develop mesothelioma because of secondary exposure risks.

Mesothelioma Statistics by Race

In the United States, Caucasian (white) people are overwhelmingly more affected by mesothelioma than any other race.

In the CDC’s report on mesothelioma deaths, nearly 95% of the victims were white. Black and Hispanic populations each accounted for less than 2,000 of the total 45,221 mesothelioma deaths throughout this time.

Asian-American, Pacific Islander, and Native American populations also had low rates of mesothelioma, with fewer than 600 deaths from these groups.

Mesothelioma Statistics on Latency Periods

A latency period is how long it takes to develop a disease following a toxic exposure or how long it takes someone to show symptoms. Mesothelioma has an unusually long latency period, with most cases developing 10-50 years after initial asbestos exposure.

According to mesothelioma statistics from a British study of workers, the average latency period for the disease was about 23 years. The study also noted that exposure to higher amounts of asbestos did not cause the cancer to develop faster.

The CDC reports that the estimated median time from initial asbestos exposure to death is 32 years.

Statistics of Mesothelioma Diagnosis & Stages

Like most cancers, mesothelioma has the best outcomes when caught in its earliest stages, but with 3/4 of all cases being diagnosed with the cancer having already spread, mesothelioma is a very

Mesothelioma cases as diagnosed by stage:

  • 9% of cases are diagnosed in stage 1 (local)
  • 14% are diagnosed in stage 2 (regional)
  • 65% are diagnosed in stages 3 and 4 (distant)
  • 12% are diagnosed without an official stage determined

Mesothelioma has a very high instance of late-stage diagnosis, which may explain why the prognosis of most patients is so poor.

Mesothelioma Statistics on Survival and Prognosis

Once a diagnosis has been made, a patient can obtain a mesothelioma prognosis — the expected course of their disease.

Though almost all mesothelioma cases are fatal, a prognosis tells a patient how long they may have to live. To estimate a patient’s life span accurately, doctors turn to mesothelioma survival statistics of past patients.

Did You Know?

According to mesothelioma statistics from the Mayo Clinic, 5-10% of patients are still alive 5 years after diagnosis.

The median life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is 11 months, but each individual’s prognosis is impacted by factors such as the cancer’s location, stage, and cell type.

Our list of questions to ask your doctor can help you get the information you need about mesothelioma treatment options, second opinions, and more.

14 Questions to Ask Your Doctor packet
Free Download: 14 Questions to Ask Your Doctor
  • Preparing for treatment
  • Finding clinical trials
  • Getting a second opinion

Get Your Free Download

Mesothelioma Survival Statistics by Type & Location in the Body

Where the cancer first develops can significantly impact a patient’s survival and mortality rates.

  • Pleural mesothelioma: According to the Lancet, a medical journal, the median life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma patients is 1 year after diagnosis.
  • Peritoneal mesothelioma: With treatment, an average of 46% of patients are still alive 5 years after diagnosis. ASCO notes that peritoneal mesothelioma patients have longer survival rates since peritoneal tumors often grow slower than tumors developing in different locations in the body.
  • Pericardial mesothelioma: Patients diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma will live for 6 months on average, according to a study published in the Journal of Thoracic Disease.
  • Testicular mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma has a relatively high survival rate. Overall, nearly 50% of patients were still alive 5 years after being diagnosed with testicular mesothelioma, according to a 2019 report.

While these survival statistics may be considered poor, they are not absolutes. For example, Paul Kraus was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 1997 after exposure to asbestos in the 1960s. Though doctors told him he had less than a year to live, he is still alive as of 2023 — 26 years later.

Mesothelioma Survival Rates By Stage

There are statistics on the 1- and 5-year survival rates of people diagnosed with various stages of mesothelioma who received treatment.

According to the ACS, pleural mesothelioma is the only type that can be diagnosed in stages. There is not sufficient historical data on the other types to do so.

Mesothelioma Stage1-Year Survival Rate5-Year Survival Rate
Localized41%6%
Regional40%4%
Distant32%3%

Mesothelioma Survival Statistics By Cell Type

Mesothelioma tumors can be made up of several different types of cells. Some of these cells spread more quickly throughout the body than others, impacting a patient’s lifespan.

Mesothelioma cell types include:

  • Epithelioid: These cells grow more slowly than the others and are more responsive to treatments. Patients with this cell type live for 12.5 months on average.
  • Sarcomatoid: These cells are very aggressive and typically respond poorly to treatment. Because of this, patients with sarcomatoid mesothelioma have a median survival time of 9.4 months.
  • Biphasic: Some mesothelioma tumors consist of both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells. Survival rates vary depending on which cell type is dominant, with biphasic patients living for 11 months on average.

Patients can learn their mesothelioma cell type by consulting their doctor after diagnosis.

Mesothelioma Survival Rates by Demographics

A patient’s unique demographic factors also affect their survival rate.

  • Age: According to ASCO, younger patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may live longer.
  • Gender: Women are 3 times more likely to survive for 5 years after diagnosis than men, according to mesothelioma statistics published by the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
  • Overall health: Patients with other health conditions besides mesothelioma may not be able to undergo life-extending treatments like surgery safely.

Since these factors can vary significantly with each person, some may have a better (or worse) life expectancy than the general population.

Mesothelioma Treatment Statistics

One of the best ways to improve a mesothelioma prognosis is through treatment.

The most common mesothelioma treatments include:

These mesothelioma treatments help doctors kill or remove cancerous tumors from the body, hopefully improving a patient’s lifespan.

In recent years, researchers have been developing new treatments, such as immunotherapy in mesothelioma clinical trials, to provide patients with better outcomes and ultimately find a cure for this devastating disease.

A government database search on clinicaltrials.gov for medical studies worldwide revealed more than 140 active clinical trials for mesothelioma as of September 2023.

Mesothelioma Surgery Statistics

According to ASCO, mesothelioma patients who undergo surgery typically live longer than patients who are not candidates for surgery. Most patients who qualify for mesothelioma surgeries are diagnosed before the cancer has spread throughout the body.

Top Mesothelioma surgeries include:

  • Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP): Used to treat pleural mesothelioma, this surgery removes all visible cancer tumors, the lung closest to the tumor site, the lung lining, and other affected organs from the body. According to one study, the 5-year survival rate for this surgery was 14%.
  • Pleurectomy with Decortication (P/D): This surgery also treats pleural mesothelioma patients by removing visible tumors and the lung’s lining, but leaves the lung closest to the tumors intact. According to one study, 23% of patients who received a P/D and chemotherapy were still alive after 5 years.
  • Cytoreduction with HIPEC: This peritoneal mesothelioma treatment combines surgery with heated chemotherapy applied directly to the abdomen during the removal of visible tumors. 41-47% of patients who underwent this surgery were still alive after 5 years, according to a published study.

A 2021 study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery found that patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma who had cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC at teaching hospitals had a 5-year survival rate of 29.7%. Patients who underwent the same procedure at community hospitals had a 5-year survival rate of 18.3%.

If patients are not healthy enough to undergo one of the surgeries, they may be able to undergo palliative surgeries intended to help ease symptoms such as difficulty breathing and fluid buildup.

Multimodality Therapy Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma patients’ life expectancies may improve with multimodal therapy, in which different types of cancer treatments are used alongside one another.

Mesothelioma patients who have received a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation typically survive 16-19 months.

Median survival rates by stage with multimodal treatment are as follows:

  • Overall median survival is 17 months
  • Stage 1 median survival is 22 months
  • Stage 2 median survival is 17 months
  • Stage 3 median survival is 11 months

Untreated mesothelioma is typically fatal within 4-8 months of diagnosis.

Currently, researchers are looking at whether chemotherapy is more beneficial before or after mesothelioma surgery and using it in conjunction with immunotherapy.

International Mesothelioma Statistics

Mesothelioma is not a problem specific to the United States. Because asbestos is used around the world, mesothelioma is a global epidemic. The ACS notes that the reported mesothelioma cases are still increasing in other countries even today.

Fifty-five (55) countries have banned the mining and use of asbestos, but many other countries have not — and asbestos continues to be produced across the globe. The United States remains one of the only Western countries to continue to allow asbestos imports and use, predominantly in the chlor-alkali industry.

The UK and Australia have the highest mesothelioma cancer incidence rate:

  1. United Kingdom — 18.36 per million people
  2. Australia — 16.7 per million people

Even though both nations have banned asbestos, incidences of mesothelioma are still on the rise.

China uses more asbestos than any other country — 570,000 tons per year.

Much like in the United States, these countries have a much higher mesothelioma rate in men than women.

Costs of Mesothelioma & Patient Resources

Recent estimates show mesothelioma medical costs often reach $500,000 or more. This does not account for lost wages if a person can no longer work or if their family members need to stop working to provide care.

People diagnosed with mesothelioma should not have to pay for the high costs of treatments since corporations used asbestos despite knowing the health risks.

Pursuing financial compensation through a legal claim or via asbestos trust funds are ways to protect their family’s financial security.

Mesothelioma Asbestos Statistics FAQs

What is the death rate of mesothelioma?

Due to 60% of patients being diagnosed at stage 3 or 4, the mortality rate is high for mesothelioma, with about 2,500 people dying from mesothelioma in the United States every year.

How common is mesothelioma cancer?

Mesothelioma is considered a rare cancer. Only 3,000 new cases are reported annually in the United States. This statistic could be higher in reality because many people die before being diagnosed. According to the ACS, men are four times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than women.

The total population in the U.S. in 2022 was more than 333 million people, according to the Census Bureau. .009% of the population will ever develop mesothelioma.

What are the chances of surviving mesothelioma?

Most mesothelioma patients survive 4-18 months after diagnosis. However, some patients have lived 10 years or more. Late diagnosis causes people to have slim chances of surviving mesothelioma, but some have become long-term survivors.

A man named Paul Kraus is believed to be the longest-living mesothelioma survivor. Kraus was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 1997 at age 52 and is still living 26 years later.

Mesothelioma survival rates depend on many factors, including the type of mesothelioma and the patient’s overall health.

Who is most likely to get mesothelioma?

Blue-collar workers and U.S. veterans are most likely to develop mesothelioma because they worked with or near asbestos.

Men are much more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. However, women with husbands or fathers who worked in industries that exposed them to asbestos are 10 times more likely to develop mesothelioma than other women.

White people are much more likely to be affected by mesothelioma than Black or Hispanic people.

Dr. Mark LevinReviewed by:Mark Levin, MD

Certified Oncologist and Hematologist

  • Fact-Checked
  • Editor

Mark Levin, MD, has over 30 years of experience in academic and community hematology and oncology. In addition to serving as Chief or Director at four different teaching institutions throughout his life, he is still a practicing clinician, has taught and designed formal education programs, and has authored numerous publications in various fields related to hematology and oncology.

Dr. Mark Levin is an independently paid medical reviewer.

  • Board Certified Oncologist
  • 30+ Years Experience
  • Published Medical Author
Jenna TozziWritten by:

Director of Patient Advocacy

Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Director of Patient Advocacy at Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.

Our Promise to You
Our Promise to You
References
  1. American Cancer Society. “Risk Factors for Malignant Mesothelioma.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
  2. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). “Key Statistics About Malignant Mesothelioma.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/about/key-statistics.html
  3. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). “Malignant Mesothelioma Stages.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging.html
  4. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). “Survival Rates for Mesothelioma.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-statistics.html
  5. American Society of Clinical Oncology. (2022, February). “Mesothelioma: Statistics.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/mesothelioma/statistics
  6. Batirel, H. (2017, June). “Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) vs. pleurectomy decortication (P/D).” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5497106/
  7. Bianchi, C., & Bianchi, T. (2014, May). “Global mesothelioma epidemic: Trend and features.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4280782/
  8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, August 01). “Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality – United States, 1999–2015.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm
  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Incidence of Malignant Mesothelioma, 1999–2018.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/uscs/about/data-briefs/no27-incidence-malignant-mesothelioma-1999-2018.htm
  10. Environmental Protection Agency. (2020, January 02). “Asbestos Laws and Regulations.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/asbestos-laws-and-regulations
  11. Frost, G. (2013, October 1). “The latency period of mesothelioma among a cohort of British asbestos workers (1978-2005).” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3790169/
  12. Gong, W., Ye, X., Shi, K., & Zhao, Q. (2014, December). “Primary malignant pericardial mesothelioma-a rare cause of superior vena cava thrombosis and constrictive pericarditis.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4283333/
  13. Iliff, J., Bart, N. K., Ghaly, S., Granger, E., & Holloway, C. J. (2019, January 11). “Pericardial Mesothelioma in a 35-Year-Old Male With Ulcerative Colitis.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.118.008659
  14. Kim, J., Bhagwandin, S., & Labow, D. (2017, June). “Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma: A review.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5497105/
  15. Lancet Respiratory Medicine. (2019, January 16). “Pleural mesothelioma: tackling a deadly cancer.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(19)30004-9/fulltext
  16. Mayo Clinic. (2015, July 30). Mayo Clinic: Asbestos exposure most significant risk factor for mesothelioma. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/tn-hbi-et-0730-mayo-clinic-20150730-story.html
  17. Mazurek JM, Blackley DJ, Weissman DN. “Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality in Women – United States, 1999-2020.” MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022 May 13;71(19):645-649. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7119a1. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9098251/
  18. Milano, E., Pourroy, B., Rome, A., Delarue, A., Coze, C., Gorincour, G., . . . André, N. (2006, November). Efficacy of a combination of pemetrexed and multiple redo-surgery in an 11-year-old girl with a recurrent multifocal abdominal mesothelioma. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17075325
  19. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Malignant Mesothelioma. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.cancer.gov/types/mesothelioma
  20. Nazemi, A., Nassiri, N., Pearce, S., & Daneshamand, S. (2019, January 19). Testicular Mesothelioma: An Analysis of Epidemiology, Patient Outcomes, and Prognostic Factors. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.goldjournal.net/article/S0090-42951930064-0/fulltext
  21. North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. “Organic Hazard: Global Mesothelioma Trends and Incidence Rates.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.naaccr.org/organic-hazard-global-mesothelioma-trends-and-incidence-rates/
  22. Taioli, E., Wolf, A., Camancho-Rivera, M., & Flores, R. (2014, June 11). Women With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Have a Threefold Better Survival Rate Than Men. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975(14)00824-8/abstract
  23. Taylor, S., Carpentieri, D., Williams, J., Acosta, J., & Southard, R. (2015, July). Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma in an Adolescent Male With BAP1 Deletion. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25222065
  24. U.S. Census Bureau. “Growth in U.S. Population Shows Early Indication of Recovery Amid COVID-19 Pandemic.” Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022/2022-population-estimates.html
  25. Welten, V.M., Fields, A.C., Malizia, R.A. et al. “Survival Outcomes for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma at Academic Versus Community Hospitals.” J Gastrointest Surg 26, 161–170 (2022). Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-021-05084-0

 

Free 30-Minute ConversationWith Jenna Tozzi, RN
Fill Out Your Contact Information
How We Can Help

Mesothelioma Hope is passionate about helping patients and families affected by this aggressive cancer. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary and isolating, but we’re here for you at every step. Hope is only a phone call away.

(866) 608-8933
Medical Guidance
  • Get a second opinion
  • Find a doctor or cancer center
  • Access clinical trials
  • Improve your quality of life
Financial Assistance
  • Access $30 billion in trust funds
  • File a mesothelioma claim
  • Increase your VA benefits
  • Apply for travel grants
Supportive Care
  • Find a support group or peer mentor
  • Get help with daily tasks
  • Explore respite care options
  • Navigate life post-treatment