Written By: Devin Golden
Mesothelioma Facts and Statistics [2025 Update]
Mesothelioma is unlike any other cancer, from how it develops to how quickly it spreads. These mesothelioma facts and statistics offer patients and their families valuable insights into this rare cancer, helping them better understand the disease and how to fight back.
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Stephen Williams
Precision Oncology Scientist
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Stephen Williams
Precision Oncology Scientist
JUMP TO A TOPIC
SCROLL TO TOP
Interesting Facts About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium. This is a thin layer of tissue covering the lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) and heart (pericardium).
The most important fact to remember is exposure to asbestos is the only proven cause of mesothelioma.
- Nearly 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the United States.
- At least one-third of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are military veterans.
- The latency period is the time between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis. This can range from 20-50 years, with an average of 34 years.
- A mesothelioma diagnosis before the age of 45 is rare, accounting for only 2% of all cases.
- Men are about four times more likely than women to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than women, largely due to higher rates of occupational asbestos exposure.
- Between 1999 and 2021, 70,710 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with mesothelioma: 53,885 in men and 16,825 in women.
- Due to health concerns, asbestos is no longer widely used in commercial and industrial practices. However, the incidence of mesothelioma has not gone down in recent years due to the latency period of the cancer.
Facts About Mesothelioma Types
There are four main types of mesothelioma, classified by where the cancer originates in the body. Each type has its own set of symptoms and requires a personalized treatment plan tailored to the individual patient.
Mesothelioma by Tumor Location
- Pleural Mesothelioma – Accounts for approximately 85% of cases; affects the lining of the lungs (pleura)
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma – Represents about 10%–15% of cases; occurs in the abdominal lining (peritoneum)
- Pericardial Mesothelioma – Comprising less than 2% of cases; originates in the heart’s lining (pericardium)
- Testicular Mesothelioma – Accounts for less than 1% of all cases; forms in the lining of the testes.
Mesothelioma by Cell Type
- Epithelioid Mesothelioma – Most common cell type, making up about 70%–75% of cases; associated with a better prognosis due to slower growth and better response to treatments
- Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma – Accounts for 10%–20% of cases; more aggressive and less responsive to treatment
- Biphasic Mesothelioma – Comprises 20%–35% of cases; contains both epithelioid and sarcomatoid cells; prognosis depends on the dominant cell type
Demographic Insights
- Age – Approximately 67% of pleural mesothelioma patients are 65 years old or older.
- Gender – Men are more commonly diagnosed with mesothelioma, accounting for about 80% of pleural mesothelioma cases and nearly 55% of peritoneal cases. This is likely due to higher rates of occupational asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma Facts About Treatment
Combining therapies like surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy often offers the best outcomes for eligible patients. Treatment plans are tailored based on cancer stage, location, cell type and patient health.
Mesothelioma Surgery Options
- Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP) – In this aggressive surgery, doctors remove the entire affected lung, pleura, diaphragm, and pericardium. Median survival post-EPP is approximately 15 months.
- Pleurectomy with Decortication (P/D) – An alternative to EPP, this aggressive surgery removes the pleura, all visible tumors, and any other diseased tissue while sparing the lung. Median survival after P/D is an estimated 22 months.
- Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC – This surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma involves removing all visible tumors and any diseased tissue, followed by heated chemotherapy put directly into the abdomen as the final part of the surgery. Median survival ranges from 38-67 months with 5-year survival rates up to 69%.
Chemotherapy
- Standard Chemotherapy – Cisplatin combined with pemetrexed is the first-line treatment, improving survival and providing symptom control.
- HIPEC – This procedure involves putting heated chemotherapy directly in the abdominal cavity following the removal of tumors. Direct contact with tissues can enhance drug efficacy and reduce systemic side effects.
Immunotherapy
- Opdivo (nivolumab) and Yervoy (ipilimumab) – FDA-approved in 2020 for unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, this combination improved median overall survival to 18 months compared to 14 months with chemotherapy alone.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation targets residual cancer cells post-surgery, alleviates symptoms, and prevents tumor spread. Often used in combination with other treatments.
Tumor Treating Fields
- Optune Lua – This wearable device sends electrical waves through the body that disrupts mesothelioma cell growth and division. This can help to stop the growth of tumors and help prevent the spread of the disease.
Palliative Treatments
- Palliative Surgery – Thoracentesis and pleurodesis remove fluid buildup in the chest, improving breathing and chest discomfort. Paracentesis removes fluid buildup in the abdomen, improving abdominal distention and pain.
- Radiation and Chemotherapy – These therapies can help reduce tumor size and alleviate pain in advanced stages.
Clinical Trials
Patients may access new and emerging treatments through mesothelioma clinical trials, offering potential benefits beyond standard therapies.
Mesothelioma Prognosis and Life Expectancy
Prognosis and life expectancy for mesothelioma depends largely on the type of mesothelioma and the stage of disease at the time of diagnosis. Other contributing factors include age, gender, overall health of the patient, and cell type.
Prognosis by Mesothelioma Type
Pleural Mesothelioma (affecting the lung lining)
- Average life expectancy of 12-21 months with treatment
- 5-year survival rate of approximately 12%
Peritoneal Mesothelioma (affecting the abdominal lining)
- Average life expectancy of up to 31 months with treatment
- 5-year survival rate of approximately 65%
Pericardial Mesothelioma (affecting the heart lining)
- Median survival of approximately 6 months, which can improve to 13 months with chemotherapy
Prognosis by Cell Type
Epithelioid (most common and responsive to treatment)
- Pleural – Median survival of approximately 19 months
- Peritoneal – Median survival of approximately 6.5 years
Biphasic (mixed cell type)
- Pleural – Median survival of approximately 13 months
- Peritoneal – Median survival approximately 10 months
Sarcomatoid (least common and most aggressive)
- Pleural – Median survival of approximately 8 months
- Peritoneal – Median survival of approximately 10 months
Prognosis by Treatment Type
Surgery
- Extrapleural Pneumonectomy (EPP) – Median survival of 12-22 months
- Pleurectomy with Decortication (P/D) – Median survival of 13-29 months
Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC (for peritoneal mesothelioma)
- Median survival of approximately 53 months
- 5-year survival rate of approximately 65%
Radiation Therapy
- Average survival of approximately 12.2 months, which may improve when combined with other treatments
Immunotherapy
- 1-year survival rate of approximately 70.4%
Prognosis by Stage
- Stage 1 – Life expectancy of approximately 21 months
- Stage 2 – Life expectancy of approximately 19 months
- Stage 3 – Life expectancy of approximately 16 months
- Stage 4 – Life expectancy of approximately 12 months
Other Prognostic Factors
- Age – Patients over the age of 65 tend to have shorter life expectancies due to other existing health conditions and reduced treatment tolerance.
- Gender – Women generally have better survival rates than men, potentially due to biological differences and earlier detection.
Asbestos Facts & Statistics
What Is Asbestos?
- Asbestos refers to six naturally occurring fibrous minerals: chrysotile, amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite.
- Valued for its heat resistance and durability, asbestos was widely used in construction, shipbuilding, automotive, and household products.
- When disturbed or in deteriorating materials, microscopic asbestos fibers can become airborne and be inhaled or ingested, leading to serious health issues.
Health Risks
- All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic, causing diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
- Crocidolite (blue asbestos) is considered the most hazardous type of asbestos due to its fine, sharp fibers.
- Asbestos exposure is responsible for approximately 255,000 deaths globally each year.
Exposure Statistics
- Globally, an estimated 125 million people have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace.
- In the U.S., approximately 1.3 million workers in construction and general industry are at risk of exposure.
- Secondary exposure can occur when asbestos fibers are brought home on clothing, resulting in exposure to family members.
U.S. Asbestos Use and Regulation
- Asbestos mining in the U.S. ceased in 2002, but the mineral has not been fully banned.
- In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency banned chrysotile asbestos, which is the most common type of asbestos. Mining, importation, production, sale and use of chrysotile asbestos is banned in the United States.
- The other five types of asbestos are not banned in the United States, but they are heavily regulated.
- More than 60 countries have fully or partially banned asbestos.
- Asbestos is still found in older buildings, insulation, roofing materials and certain automotive parts.
Asbestos in Consumer Products
- Talc, a mineral used in cosmetics and baby powders, can be contaminated with asbestos.
- Reuters reported that Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder tested positive for asbestos, a fact the company allegedly kept from regulators.
- Other cosmetics, including makeup, have tested positive for asbestos.
Sources & Author
- Mesothelioma. National Organization for Rare Disorders. Retrieved from: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/mesothelioma/. Accessed: 10/10/18.
- What Are the Risk Factors for Malignant Mesothelioma?. American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html. Accessed: 10/10/18.
- Life Expectancy in Pleural and Peritoneal Mesothelioma. Lung Cancer International. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5292397/. Accessed: 12/20/19.
- Presentation, initial evaluation, and prognosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. UpToDate. Retrieved from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/presentation-initial-evaluation-and-prognosis-of-malignant-pleural-mesothelioma/. Accessed: 03/19/19.
- Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality — United States, 1999–2015. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm. Accessed: 10/10/18.
- Asbestos kills 12,000-15,000 people per year in the U.S. Asbestos Nation. Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-kills-12000-15000-people-per-year-in-the-u-s/. Accessed: 10/10/18.
- Asbestos Statistics and Information. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved from: https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/asbestos/mcs-2017-asbes.pdf. Accessed: 10/10/18.
- Current Asbestos Ban. International Ban Asbestos Secretariat. Retrieved from: http://ibasecretariat.org/alpha_ban_list.php. Accessed: 10/10/18.
- Mineral Commodity Summaries 2019. U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved from: https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/atoms/files/mcs2019_all.pdf. Accessed: 12/04/19.
- Asbestos: elimination of asbestos-related diseases. World Health Organization. Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs343/en/. Accessed: 10/10/18.
- Asbestos and Mesothelioma. VA Boston Healthcare System. Retrieved from: https://www.boston.va.gov/services/surgical/Asbestos_and_Mesothelioma.asp. Accessed: 08/21/2020.
- Palliative Procedures for Malignant Mesothelioma. American Cancer Society. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/treating/palliative-procedures.html. Accessed: 08/21/2020.
- Recurrence of Pericardial Mesothelioma Affecting the Myocardium After Pericardial Resection. Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29792828/. Accessed: 12/20/19.
- Reported Historic Asbestos Mines, Historic Asbestos Prospects, and Natural Asbestos Occurrences in the Eastern United States. U.S. Department of the Interior Geological Survey. Retrieved from: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1189/pdf/Plate.pdf. Accessed: 12/20/19.
- Extended Pleurectomy-Decortication–Based Treatment for Advanced Stage Epithelial Mesothelioma Yielding a Median Survival of Nearly Three Years. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Retrieved from: https://www.annalsthoracicsurgery.org/article/S0003-4975(16)31139-0/fulltext. Accessed: 08/26/19.
- Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Multi-Institutional Experience. Journal of Clinical Oncology. Retrieved from: https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.2009.23.9640. Accessed: 05/14/19.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical treatments for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Lung Cancer. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24360321/. Accessed: 08/21/2020.
- A feasibility study evaluating Surgery for Mesothelioma After Radiation Therapy: the “SMART” approach for resectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Journal of Thoracic Oncology. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24445595/. Accessed: 04/28/2020.
- Kindler HL. Peritoneal mesothelioma: the site of origin matters. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2013;182-188. doi:10.14694/EdBook_AM.2013.33.182
