|
There are an estimated 2,000
to 3,000 new cases per year of mesothelioma in the
United States. The incidence of mesotheliomas in
the United States increased from 1970 to 1990 and
then stabilized. It may now be decreasing. In European
countries, the rate of mesotheliomas is still increasing.
Mesothelioma is rare in people under age 55. Its
incidence increases with age. Most patients are over 65 years old. The
disease affects men 5 times more often than women. Mesothelioma is less
common in African Americans than in white Americans.
Mesothelioma is a serious disease. By the time the
symptoms appear and cancer is diagnosed, the disease is often advanced. The
average survival time is about 1 to 2 years. The 5-year survival rate is
only around 7%, but this rate is slowly improving.
The 5-year survival rate refers to the percentage of
patients who live at least 5 years after their cancer is diagnosed.
Five-year rates are used to produce a standard way of discussing prognosis.
Of course, many people live much longer than 5 years. Five-year relative
survival rates exclude patients dying of other diseases. This means that
anyone who died of another cause, such as heart disease, is not counted.
Five-year survival rates are based on patients diagnosed and initially
treated more than 5 years ago. Improvements in treatment often result in a
more favorable outlook for recently diagnosed patients. |
