Mesothelioma
Risk Factors
Mesothelioma remains relatively uncommon in the US, with approximately 2,500 new cases reported per year. The incidence rates are much higher in Western Europe with nearly 5,000 cases annually. Nevertheless, these numbers are expected to climb dramatically over the next 20 years. Older males (median age of 60) are three to five times more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. This is most likely to the male dominance in the professions that have risk to asbestos exposure.
The choice of treatment and the associated risk to the patient depends on the extent of the disease. The disease is usually diagnosed as localized, advanced or recurrent.
- Mesothelioma is considered localized when it appears only in the membrane where it originates.
- Advanced, when the tumor has spread to other parts of the chest or abdomen.
- Recurrent, when the tumor has returned after treatment.
Mesothelioma Cancer
Asbestosis Cancer
Treatment Options
Veterans
Exposure Risks
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