Mesothelioma Statistics

Who Gets Mesothelioma? 

Men older than age 65 with occupational backgrounds in the military, construction, industry, mechanics and firefighting are at particularly high risk for developing mesothelioma. Use of asbestos products was widespread in these fields.

Long-term asbestos exposure in the workplace is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos workers with years of exposure have an 8% to 13% risk of mesothelioma. The chances of developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure increase with continued exposure. Doctors call this a dose-response relationship. However, research shows no amount of asbestos exposure is safe, according to the World Health Organization.

Secondary asbestos exposure is also a risk for family members of asbestos workers. This exposure has led to mesothelioma in spouses and children of asbestos workers.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura) and chest wall. It also occurs in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) or the tissue surrounding the testes (tunica vaginalis) or heart. 

Mesothelioma Statistics by Race/Ethnicity

Of all diagnosed patients in 2020, approximately 91% were white. The CDC’s 2020 ethnicity data shows Hispanic people with mesothelioma accounted for approximately 8% of cases.

Periodically, the U.S. Department of Labor releases summary statistics about the United States workforce. The reports show that Black workers are highly represented in health and education services, public administration and transportation sectors. 

They were less likely to be in occupations that used asbestos, such as building and ship construction, insulation work and mining. Historically fewer Black individuals have served in the U.S. Navy, which has been a significant source of asbestos exposure for men.

Mesothelioma Statistics by Age

In 2020, the CDC reported that most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed when they’re between ages 75 and 79. The risk of developing mesothelioma is 10 times higher for those older than 60 compared to those younger than 40. 

The average age at diagnosis is the result of the 20- to 60-year latency period between when you were first exposed to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma. This long latency period means older people are more likely to develop the disease. 

The latency period is generally shorter for peritoneal mesothelioma than pleural mesothelioma. Most people diagnosed with peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma are about 51 and 67 years old, respectively.

How Long Does Mesothelioma Take to Develop?

Mesothelioma starts to develop 20 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos. The latency period is the gap between first exposure and the appearance of symptoms.

Because of the long latency period, it isn’t common for people to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis before turning 50 years old. According to an exclusive survey The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com conducted in 2023, only 9% of approximately 220 mesothelioma patients were diagnosed before age 50.

Mesothelioma Latency Period by Gender

Research shows women tend to have a longer mesothelioma latency period compared to men. An M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Occupational Medicine Institute study revealed women typically experience lower levels of asbestos exposure. This may account for the longer latency period.

Men were exposed to high concentrations of asbestos for extended periods of time at work during periods of extensive asbestos use. These high levels of intense occupational asbestos exposure in industries such as construction, power generation and factories may account for men’s shorter latency period compared to women.  

Women have historically been more likely to experience secondhand asbestos exposure, which generally occurs at lower levels and for shorter durations. These lower levels of exposure are linked to a longer latency period However, the specific type of mesothelioma may also influence how long it takes mesothelioma to develop.

Average Latency Periods by Mesothelioma Type

The average latency period of mesothelioma varies depending on the type and location of the tumors in your body. Researchers haven’t yet determined why these differences in latency periods exist.

For pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, the average latency period is between 30 to 60 years. In contrast, peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdominal cavity, has an average latency period of 20 to 40 years.

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Mesothelioma Cancer Cases by Tumor Location

Most mesothelioma cancer cases occur in the pleura, the tissue surrounding the lungs. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type because asbestos usually enters the body through the lungs.

About 20% of malignant mesothelioma cases appear in the lining of the abdomen called the peritoneum. In 1% of cases, this cancer forms in the lining of the heart, called the pericardium. Fewer than 1% of mesothelioma cases occur in the tunica vaginalis, the covering of the testes.

An exclusive survey The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com conducted in 2023 collected diagnosis data on 220 mesothelioma patients. Approximately 73% had pleural, 23% had peritoneal, 1% had testicular and 3% were unsure. 

Symptoms by Tumor Location

Symptoms associated with mesothelioma vary depending on where this cancer forms. The most common symptoms all mesothelioma types share include fatigue, pain, fever, loss of appetite, effusions and swelling.

Early-stage symptoms are usually mild or nonexistent. This factor makes mesothelioma challenging to catch early. 

Because early detection plays a significant role in available treatment options and survival rates, it’s important to see your doctor as soon as symptoms do develop. For those with a known history of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma screenings are also important for detecting the disease as soon as possible. 

Mesothelioma Survival Rate Statistics

Mesothelioma survival rates vary depending on the age and gender of the patient, location of mesothelioma tumors and stage of progression of tumor development. Treatment options also have a significant impact on individual survival. For example, 50% of peritoneal patients who undergo aggressive treatment live longer than 5 years.

While the prognosis for mesothelioma is generally poor compared to other cancers, some patients do experience remission. The Mesothelioma Center’s unique 2023 survey found that doctors told 13% of respondents they were in remission or cancer-free. 

Survival Rate by Mesothelioma Type

Survival rates vary significantly among the different types of mesothelioma. Medical advances have made peritoneal mesothelioma easier to treat than pleural mesothelioma.

A study from Translational Oncology reveals a large difference in survival rates. Most patients survive a year after diagnosis, but peritoneal patients see longer survival rates.

More survival rate data is available for pleural mesothelioma because it’s the most common type. For example, researchers have analyzed pleural survival by stage of tumor progression.  

Median Survival Time by Pleural Mesothelioma Stage

The mesothelioma stage at diagnosis affects the patient’s prognosis, with earlier stages having longer average survival times. Doctors sort pleural mesothelioma cases into stages to describe how far the cancer has spread in the body.

Patients have more treatment options and a better prognosis in the early stages. As tumors progress, treatment options diminish and prognosis worsens. 

5-Year Survival Rates for Pleural Mesothelioma

The SEER Program tracks 5-year survival rates. Pleural mesothelioma has three groups: localized, regional and distant stages.

When compared to patients with distant tumors, those with localized tumors are more than twice as likely to live at least five years. These statistics underscore the importance of early detection.

5-Year Survival Rate for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine evaluated 380 mesothelioma patients and reported a 5-year survival rate of 65.3% for peritoneal mesothelioma. Long-term survival may be better in peritoneal mesothelioma cases because treatments are more effective.

The SEER program doesn’t track or publish survival rate data for peritoneal mesothelioma, unlike the pleural type. This is likely because pleural mesothelioma cases far outnumber peritoneal cases, so data for the latter is less available or precise. 

Mesothelioma Survival Rates by Demographic

Survival among women diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is higher compared to men. The 5-year survival rate for men with pleural mesothelioma is 7.3% compared to 16.4% for women.

Overall, younger mesothelioma patients have a significantly higher survival rate than older patients. More than 50% of patients diagnosed before the age of 50 survive one year, while less than 33% of those 75 or older survive the same length of time.

The 5-year survival rate also appears to vary between races. The most recent year for compiled data by race is 2015 when the reported 5-year survival rate was 18.6% for Black people and 9.4% for those who are white.

Mortality Rates for Mesothelioma

The mesothelioma mortality rate is a statistical measure that represents the number of deaths attributed to mesothelioma per 100,000 people. According to CDC data collected from 1999 to 2020, the mortality rate for mesothelioma is about 0.8 cases per 100,000 people. During that period, a total of 54,905 Americans died from mesothelioma.

The death rate for mesothelioma is close to the incidence rate, which is about 1 case per 100,000 people. The rate is 0.2 per 100,000 for women and 0.6 per 100,000 for men.

Mesothelioma Cancer Death Rate by State

Mesothelioma mortality rates vary throughout the United States. Higher rates exist in areas with a strong history of industrial work and manufacturing.

California, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and Ohio had the highest mesothelioma-related mortalities between 2016 and 2020. Delaware’s mortality rate during this period was 1.2 per 100,000 people. Maine’s was 1.1 per 100,000 and Alaska’s was 1.0 per 100,000. Puerto Rico, however, had a mortality rate of 0.1 per 100,000 and both Georgia and Alaska had rates of 0.4 per 100,000.

Mesothelioma Treatment Statistics

While mesothelioma is difficult to treat, advances in treatment approaches have shown significant promise for improving life expectancy for patients. Multimodal approaches that combine approaches, including traditional therapies with emerging treatments, have had significant results.

A recent study presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress showed a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation produced a 1-year survival rate of 79.6% for pleural mesothelioma patients. An International Journal of Hyperthermia study also showed median disease-free survival was almost five years for peritoneal patients receiving surgery combined with heated chemotherapy called HIPEC surgery. The median overall survival was more than eight years.

Mesothelioma Facts About Treatment Types

Mesothelioma treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. More than 80% of patients receive chemotherapy, the most common treatment for mesothelioma. Chemotherapy may triple the survival rate of mesothelioma patients, according to a study of SEER data.

Half of peritoneal mesothelioma patients who receive HIPEC surgery live longer than five years. Only about 20% of pleural mesothelioma patients, however, are eligible  for aggressive tumor-removing surgery.

Mesothelioma is a complex disease, and few doctors have experience diagnosing and treating it. Mesothelioma specialists offer patients the best options.

Mesothelioma Clinical Trial Statistics

Human studies, called clinical trials, give patients access to the latest breakthroughs in treatment. Researchers have conducted more than 300 clinical trials for mesothelioma worldwide.

Researchers are testing new drug regimens for those who don’t qualify for surgery. These include drugs already used in lung cancer treatment. Patients may also enroll in clinical trials for emerging treatments such as immunotherapy. 

Mesothelioma Incidence & Trends

Mesothelioma incidence rates, which describe the risk of developing mesothelioma cancer, come from medical journals, cancer research organizations and the National Cancer Institute’s SEER Program. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and SEER, mesothelioma was 2.4 times more likely to occur in men than in women in 2020.

Historical data indicates men were more likely to have held jobs involving asbestos exposure. In 2020, out of 2,681 diagnosed cases of mesothelioma, 1,900 were men and 781 were women, representing 71% and 29% of the cases, respectively.

Mesothelioma Cost and Compensation Statistics

Treatment for mesothelioma isn’t easily affordable for most families. National Cancer Institute statistics estimate the cost of lung cancer treatment at more than $60,000 for the first year. Mesothelioma treatment costs are comparable.

Compensation is available to help patients pay for cancer treatment and related health care costs. Families use mesothelioma compensation to cover various expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, travel costs and other losses. In addition to mesothelioma compensation, some people qualify for other forms of financial aid, such as VA benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance.

According to data from consulting firm KCIC, mesothelioma lawsuit filings in 2022 totaled 1,859, an increase from 2021’s total filings. Most mesothelioma legal claims settle before reaching trial. The average negotiated mesothelioma settlement ranges from $1 million to $2 million. When mesothelioma cases do go to trial, the average verdict amount is around $2.4 million. 

Some mesothelioma claims are filed with asbestos trust funds. Companies that used asbestos and declared bankruptcy set up these funds to provide compensation for patients with asbestos-related diseases. The RAND Corporation’s Institute for Civil Justice reported in 2016 that asbestos bankruptcy trusts hold a combined total of more than $30 billion. These trusts have paid claimants roughly $20 billion since the late 1980s.

Additional Mesothelioma Information Resources

More data and statistics are available from additional cancer resources. Local hospitals, cancer centers and nonprofit cancer organizations can also be helpful sources for statistical data.

The Patient Advocates at The Mesothelioma Center can also provide you with key resources and information about mesothelioma. Their experience working with mesothelioma survivors and their families, top mesothelioma specialists and cancer treatment centers around the country have provided them with a unique point of view, making the team a valuable resource for the mesothelioma community as well.

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