Mesothelioma Background

On this page:
» Key Statistics
» Causes of Mesothelioma
» History of Mesothelioma

Key Statistics

Approximately 2000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Internationally, the incidence is approximately 9 cases per every 1 million persons. Learn more about the key statistics.

Causes of Mesothelioma

The most common risk factor for mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Over 50 percent of the patients have a history of asbestos exposure. This exposure can occur while directly handling the fibrous material, or through environmental (indirect) exposure. Learn more about the causes of mesothelioma.

History of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly disease that affects the lining of several organs in the body, most commonly the lungs. It is now known that exposure to asbestos is the primary cause for this disease; however, for more than 100 years of asbestos mining and production, the link between asbestos and mesothelioma remained obscured. Learn more about the history of mesothelioma.

[Page updated February 2008]