Mesothelioma Statistics

Frequency of Diagnosis:

Annual incidence of mesothelioma is 7-13 per 1,000,000 male patients with a history of asbestos exposure. This incidence is highest in locations relative to industries such as shipyards, i.e., the Pacific and Middle Atlantic states.

Upward Trend in Diagnosis:

The government's National Vital Statistics System reports increasing cases of mesothelioma. Throughout the United States, there were 706 deaths from mesothelioma in 1980, 723 deaths in 1985, 885 deaths in 1990, and 911 deaths in 1995. In 1999, there were a reported 2485 deaths from mesothelioma. Part of this uptrend is due to better diagnosis of the disease. Many experts feel that mesothelioma is still underdiagnosed, as it is rare and many doctors do not recognize it.

The upward trend during a period of tougher standards on asbestos also shows the long latency of the disease. Most of the recent cases of mesothelioma were due to exposure in the past. Sometimes decades pass between exposure to asbestos and the onset of the disease.

Age at Onset:

Mesothelioma is most commonly diagnosed in the 50-70 year age group, although specialists are now seeing many 30-40 year oldes, raising speculation that these cases may be the result of second-hand or household exposure.

Sex:

The incidence of mesothelioma is lower in women than in men, due largely to the fact that fewer women worked outside the home in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Sharing households with spouses who worked with asbestos, or living in the vicinity of asbestos mines or product manufacturing facilities, tends to increase risk.

Race:

No racial predisposition to mesothelioma exists.

Mortality/Morbidity:

Malignant mesothelioma is considered fatal. Death usually occurs within 18 months of the onset of symptoms.

Exposure:

Everyone in the modern world has had some exposure to asbestos. Heavy exposure usually happened on the job. Navy veterans are among those with relatively high incidences of mesothelioma, as are those who served in the merchant marine.