Key Statistics at a Glance
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Annual U.S. diagnoses | ~3,000 | CDC/SEER |
| Global annual cases | ~30,000 | WHO |
| 1-year survival rate | 73% | NIH |
| 5-year survival rate | 12-15% | SEER |
| Average latency period | 38 years | CDC |
| Male-to-female ratio | 3:1 | CDC |
Annual Incidence
Approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed annually in the United States, representing roughly 1 in 100,000 people. The CDC reported 2,669 new mesothelioma cases in 2022, the most recent year with complete data.
Globally, the incidence is substantially higher at approximately 30,000 cases annually, with a global incidence rate of about 0.30 cases per 100,000 people.
U.S. Mesothelioma Deaths (1999-2020)
Over 54,000 deaths from mesothelioma were reported by the CDC between 1999 and 2020. Projections indicate the absolute peak in pleural mesothelioma mortality occurred during 2020–2024, with an estimated 6,740 deaths (4,946 males and 1,794 females).
Survival Rates by Type
Survival statistics vary significantly between mesothelioma types:
Pleural Mesothelioma (Most Common)
Median survival: 12-18 months overall
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Peritoneal mesothelioma has notably better outcomes due to the effectiveness of HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy).
Survival by Stage at Diagnosis
| Stage | Median Survival | 2-Year Survival | 5-Year Survival |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 19-22 months | 39% | 11% |
| Stage 2 | 19 months | 39% | — |
| Stage 3 | 18 months | 41% | 13% |
| Stage 4 | 13-15 months | 31% | 11% |
Early-stage patients (Stage 1-2) who receive multimodal treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy) achieve a median survival of 32.1 months — nearly triple the overall median survival.
Demographics
Gender Disparity
Men are nearly 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than women. This disparity reflects historical patterns of occupational asbestos exposure in male-dominated industries.
Incidence rates at age 75+:
| Gender | Incidence Rate (age 75+) |
|---|---|
| Men | 12.4 per 100,000 |
| Women | 2.7 per 100,000 |
Age Distribution
Mesothelioma predominantly affects older populations, reflecting the disease’s long latency period:
| Age Group | Incidence Rate (per 100,000) |
|---|---|
| 75+ | 6.7 |
| 65+ | 4.4 |
| 50-64 | 0.7 |
| Under 50 | 0.1 |
Veterans
Veterans comprise over 30% of mesothelioma cases due to extensive asbestos use in military equipment, shipyards, and facilities through the 1980s.
Stage at Diagnosis
| Stage at Diagnosis | Percentage of Cases |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | 9% |
| Stage 2 | 14% |
| Stages 3-4 | 65% |
| Undetermined | 12% |
The high percentage of late-stage diagnoses reflects the disease’s nonspecific early symptoms and long latency period.
Geographic Distribution
United States
California has the highest number of mesothelioma cases, with over 6,800 residents diagnosed between 1999 and 2019.
Global Patterns
Latency Period
The extended latency explains:
- Why diagnoses peak in the 65+ age group
- Why cases continue despite reduced asbestos use since the 1980s
- Why early-life occupational exposure often leads to late-life diagnosis
Treatment Trends
Chemotherapy
The combination of cisplatin and pemetrexed has been the standard first-line treatment for over 15 years.
Patients with epithelioid tumors receiving chemotherapy survived 26.7 months compared to 15 months for non-epithelioid patients.
Immunotherapy
Surgery Eligibility
Only approximately 20% of patients qualify for surgery, which improves outcomes when combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
How many people get mesothelioma each year?▼
Approximately 3,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. Globally, about 30,000 cases are diagnosed each year.
What is the survival rate for mesothelioma?▼
The overall 5-year survival rate is 12-15%. However, peritoneal mesothelioma patients treated with HIPEC achieve 47-52% 5-year survival, and early-stage patients with multimodal treatment achieve 32+ month median survival.
Why are most mesothelioma patients men?▼
Men comprise about 75% of cases because historically male-dominated industries (shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing) had the highest asbestos exposure.
Are mesothelioma cases declining?▼
Cases peaked around 2020-2024 and are expected to gradually decline as people exposed during peak asbestos use (1940s-1970s) age. However, cases will continue for decades due to the long latency period.
Statistics are updated annually. Last update: January 2026.