Mesothelioma Statistics [Updated 2024]

Mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer, occurring at a rate of 1 in 100,000 individuals. According to the latest available data, there were 2,681 new cases of mesothelioma reported in the U.S. in 2020. From 1999 to 2018, the incidence of mesothelioma in the U.S. dropped by 27%.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, following heart disease. One in every four deaths in the U.S. is from cancer.

Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, have a long latency period and can result in significant financial costs and compensation issues.

While mesothelioma is not one of the most prevalent cancers, it has the highest mortality rates. Around 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. every year, accounting for only 0.3% of all cancer diagnoses. Continue reading to learn more about the Williams Law Firm.

U.S. Cancer Stats

• From 2001 to 2020, cancer death rates decreased by 27%.
• In 2020, 126,084 people died of lung cancer in the U.S., more than any other type of cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides data on lung cancer deaths.
• The majority of those who died from cancer in 2020 were between 65-84 years old.
• The National Cancer Institute statistics estimate that the cost of lung cancer treatment is at least $60,000 in just the first year.

U.S. Mesothelioma Statistics

WHICH TYPES OF MESOTHELIOMA ARE MOST PREVALENT?

• Pleural mesothelioma, specifically malignant pleural mesothelioma, is the most common type, making up about 70-79% of all mesothelioma cases.
• Peritoneal is the second most common type, accounting for 10-30% of cases.
• Pericardial makes up around 1% of mesothelioma cases.
• Testicular mesothelioma is the most rare type, accounting for less than 1% of cases.

MESOTHELIOMA TREATMENT STATS

• Chemotherapy is the most common type of treatment for mesothelioma patients, with around 80% receiving chemo treatment.
• There is an aggressive surgical treatment for pleural mesothelioma, but less than 20% of patients qualify.
• Around 50% of peritoneal mesothelioma patients who undergo HIPEC surgery live longer than 5 years.

2015-2019 MESOTHELIOMA INCIDENCE RATES

• 15,485 new cases of mesothelioma were reported in the U.S.
• 12,431 people died of mesothelioma in the U.S. The demographic breakdown of mesothelioma deaths shows higher rates among older adults and certain racial groups.
• That means for every 100,000 people, one new mesothelioma case was reported, and one person died.
• Incidence rates for new mesothelioma cases decrease every year due to a decrease in asbestos exposure.

MESOTHELIOMA SURVIVAL RATES

Below are the median survival times for pleural mesothelioma:

• Stage 1: 22.2 months
• Stage 2: 20 months
• Stage 3: 17.9 months
• Stage 4: 14.9 months

In general, the average life expectancy for patients with mesothelioma is 12-31 months after being diagnosed.

Various treatment approaches, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and combination therapies, have been shown to improve the survival and life expectancy of pleural mesothelioma patients.

MESOTHELIOMA LATENCY PERIODS

Latency period refers to the amount of time between being exposed to a carcinogen and the onset of cancer symptoms. Mesothelioma has a particularly long latency period compared to other cancers.

• It can take anywhere from 10-50 years for mesothelioma symptoms to develop
• The average latency period overall is 35-40 years
• The average latency period for men is 30-40 years
• The average latency period for women is 50+ years

The risk of developing mesothelioma is influenced by factors such as age, gender, and occupational background, with asbestos exposure being a significant risk factor.

DEMOGRAPHICS AND ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

• Men are 4.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with mesothelioma than women.
• The average age for a mesothelioma diagnosis among women is 71; for men, the average age is 75.
• Mesothelioma death rates are highest in the Northern United States (Northeast, Midwest, and Northwest).
• Around 90-95% of diagnosed mesothelioma patients are white.
• Mesothelioma incidence varies significantly across different demographics, influenced by factors such as race, gender, and geographic location.

New York Mesothelioma Stats

NEW CANCER CASES IN NEW YORK (2019)

TYPE OF CANCER CASE COUNT
Brain and Other Nervous System1,365
Cervix812
Colon and Rectum8,918
Corpus and Uterus, NOS4,204
Esophagus1,124
Female Breast17,730
Hodgkin Lymphoma654
Kaposi Sarcoma122
Kidney and Renal Pelvis4,241
Larynx721
Leukemias3,548
Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct2,159
Lung and Bronchus14,156
Melanomas of the Skin4,444
Mesothelioma160
Myeloma2,010
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma5,097
Oral Cavity and Pharynx2,872
Ovary1,399
Pancreas3,677
Prostate16,730
Stomach2,046
Testis568
Thyroid4,089
Urinary Bladder5,449

For peritoneal mesothelioma in New York, the average latency period is shorter compared to pleural mesothelioma, and patients often experience better treatment outcomes and longer survival rates. Multimodal treatment approaches, including surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), have shown a positive impact on prognosis for peritoneal mesothelioma patients.

MESOTHELIOMA DEATHS IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK DEMOGRAPHICS

Of the 160 new mesothelioma cases in New York in 2019:

• 110 of those cases were male and 50 were female. This is normal, as mesothelioma affects men more than women at around an 80/20 ratio.
• 138 cases were white patients, 17 were Hispanic, and the rest were unknown. This is also normal, as mesothelioma affects these two races more than the Black and Asian communities.

Disease control measures play a crucial role in managing mesothelioma cases in New York, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Many lawsuits are filed each year to hold the accountable parties responsible for asbestos exposure.

• In 2020 there were 1,827 mesothelioma lawsuits filed. That’s a 14.3% decrease from 2019, which had 2,133 lawsuits.
• In 2019, the average dollar amount per companies’ resolved asbestos claims increased by 25% from the year prior.
• In general, the average mesothelioma settlement is $1 million, and the average trial verdict is $2.4 million.

Legal implications and compensation related to malignant mesothelioma cases are significant, as they often involve substantial settlements and verdicts due to the severe impact of asbestos exposure.

If you or a loved one has been severely affected by asbestos exposure, our New York mesothelioma attorney can help. For a free consultation, call (855) 575-6376 or fill out a contact form.

Legally Reviewed by

Joseph P. Williams
Renowned Mesothelioma Attorney

March 14, 2025

As the founding partner of Williams Law Firm, Joseph P. Williams has dedicated over 30 years to representing mesothelioma victims and their families. His firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for those affected by asbestos exposure, offering personalized, aggressive legal advocacy. Based in New York, Williams Law Firm provides free consultations and handles cases nationwide.