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How
common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20
years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000
new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each
year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk
increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or
women at any age.
Are new
treatments for mesothelioma
being studied?
Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National
Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research
studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and
better ways to use current treatments.
Before any new treatment can
be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to
find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective
against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an
important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma. | 
