Malignant Mesothelioma

Incidence rates for malignant mesothelioma have been increasing for the past 20 years. However, this disease is still relatively rare with only about 2,000 new cases each year in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that up to eight million Americans may have already been exposed to asbestos and are, therefore, at risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma occurs more often in men and the risk increases with age. Three-fourths of all people with mesothelioma cancer are over the age of 65.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 75% of all malignant mesothelioma cases begin in the chest cavity. Most people only have symptoms for two to three months before they are diagnosed. Because symptoms appear so long after exposure, malignant mesothelioma is usually advanced by the time it is diagnosed. By then, the average survival rate is only one year.