Mesothelioma Questions

•    Mesotheliomas are primary tumors arising from the surface lining of the pleura, peritoneum, or pericardium.  Pleural mesotheliomas are the most common form, comprising about 80% of the new cases.
•    There are between 2,000 to 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States every year and the incidence is increasing. The peak incidence of mesothelioma is expected to occur in this country in the year 2020.
•    Men outnumber women by a 3:1 ratio.
•    The mean age at onset of symptoms is about 60 years.
•    The latent period between exposure and onset of symptoms ranges from 20 to 40 years.
•    The Environmental Protection Agency banned all new uses of asbestos in 1989.  However, uses established prior to 1989 are still allowed.  Asbestos continues to be imported and used in the United States.