In the US, the age-adjusted annual incidence rate of mesothelioma was 0.7 per 100,000 population in 2021.[4]National Cancer Institute. Mesothelioma: recent trends in SEER age-adjusted incidence rates, 2000-2022. Apr 2025 [internet publicaton].
https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/application.html?site=111&data_type=1&graph_type=2&compareBy=sex&chk_sex_1=1&chk_sex_3=3&chk_sex_2=2&rate_type=2&race=1&age_range=1&stage=101&advopt_precision=1&advopt_show_ci=on&hdn_view=1&advopt_show_apc=on&advopt_display=1#resultsRegion1
The disease is more common in men (male to female ratio of approximately 3:1), particularly non-Hispanic white men.[4]National Cancer Institute. Mesothelioma: recent trends in SEER age-adjusted incidence rates, 2000-2022. Apr 2025 [internet publicaton].
https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/application.html?site=111&data_type=1&graph_type=2&compareBy=sex&chk_sex_1=1&chk_sex_3=3&chk_sex_2=2&rate_type=2&race=1&age_range=1&stage=101&advopt_precision=1&advopt_show_ci=on&hdn_view=1&advopt_show_apc=on&advopt_display=1#resultsRegion1
Mesothelioma typically occurs in older adults (sixth to ninth decade of life).[4]National Cancer Institute. Mesothelioma: recent trends in SEER age-adjusted incidence rates, 2000-2022. Apr 2025 [internet publicaton].
https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/application.html?site=111&data_type=1&graph_type=2&compareBy=sex&chk_sex_1=1&chk_sex_3=3&chk_sex_2=2&rate_type=2&race=1&age_range=1&stage=101&advopt_precision=1&advopt_show_ci=on&hdn_view=1&advopt_show_apc=on&advopt_display=1#resultsRegion1
In the US, the mesothelioma incidence rate appears to have been declining modestly since 2013.[4]National Cancer Institute. Mesothelioma: recent trends in SEER age-adjusted incidence rates, 2000-2022. Apr 2025 [internet publicaton].
https://seer.cancer.gov/statistics-network/explorer/application.html?site=111&data_type=1&graph_type=2&compareBy=sex&chk_sex_1=1&chk_sex_3=3&chk_sex_2=2&rate_type=2&race=1&age_range=1&stage=101&advopt_precision=1&advopt_show_ci=on&hdn_view=1&advopt_show_apc=on&advopt_display=1#resultsRegion1
During the period 1999-2015, 45,221 malignant mesothelioma deaths were reported in the US, 2597 of which occurred in 2015. In England, Scotland, and Wales, there were a combined 2257 deaths attributable to mesothelioma in 2022.[5]Health and Safety Executive. Mesothelioma statistics for Great Britain, 2024. Nov 2024 [internet publication].
https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/assets/docs/mesothelioma.pdf
Global mortality rates vary widely, ranging from 0.5 deaths per million in Brazil and Ecuador to 31 deaths per million in the UK.[6]Nishikawa K, Takahashi K, Karjalainen A, et al. Recent mortality from pleural mesothelioma, historical patterns of asbestos use, and adoption of bans: a global assessment. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Dec;116(12):1675-80.
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.11272
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19079719?tool=bestpractice.com
This variation likely reflects country-to-country disparities in asbestos use and regulation.[6]Nishikawa K, Takahashi K, Karjalainen A, et al. Recent mortality from pleural mesothelioma, historical patterns of asbestos use, and adoption of bans: a global assessment. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Dec;116(12):1675-80.
https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.11272
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19079719?tool=bestpractice.com
[7]Zhu W, Liu J, Li Y, et al. Global, regional, and national trends in mesothelioma burden from 1990 to 2019 and the predictions for the next two decades. SSM Popul Health. 2023 Sep;23:101441.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827323001064
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37334331?tool=bestpractice.com