Mesothelioma incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C45 (Mesothelioma).

New cases

In 2016, there were 774 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in Australia (617 males and 157 females). In 2020, it is estimated that 834 new cases of mesothelioma will be diagnosed in Australia (649 males and 185 females).

Figure 1. Estimated most common cancers diagnosed, 2020

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about incidence rates for the most common cancers diagnosed can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer incidence’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/diagnosis/cancer-incidence/cancer-incidence) 

In 2016, the age-standardised incidence rate was 2.7 cases per 100,000 persons (4.7 for males and 1.0 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will reduce to 2.6 cases per 100,000 persons (4.4 for males and 1.1 for females). The incidence rate for mesothelioma is expected to increase with age.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for mesothelioma, 1982 to 2016, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables

The number of new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed increased from 157 (135 males and 22 females) in 1982 to 774 in 2016. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 1.2 cases per 100,000 persons (2.3 for males and 0.3 for females) in 1982 to 2.7 cases per 100,000 in 2016.

Deaths 

In 2018, there were 726 deaths from mesothelioma in Australia (598 males and 128 females). In 2020, it is estimated that there will be 766 deaths (631 males and 135 females).

Figure 3. Estimated most common causes of cancer death, 2020

Notes 

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables
• More information about mortality rates for the most common causes of cancer death can be found on the NCCI website in the ‘Cancer mortality’ section (https://ncci.canceraustralia.gov.au/outcomes/cancer-mortality/cancer-mortality) 

In 2018, the age-standardised mortality rate was 2.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.3 for males and 0.8 for females). In 2020, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will remain at 2.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.3 for males and 0.8 for females). The mortality rate for mesothelioma is expected to increase with age.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for mesothelioma, 1997 to 2018, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables

The number of deaths from mesothelioma increased from 416 (353 males and 63 females) in 1997 to 726 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate was 2.4 deaths per 100,000 persons in 1997 (4.5 for males and 0.7 for females) and remained at 2.4 in 2018. 

Survival 

In 2012–2016, individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma had a 6.3 % chance (5.3% for males and 11% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2012–2016, five-year relative survival for mesothelioma improved from 5.8% to 6.3%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for mesothelioma, 1987–1991 to 2012–2016, by sex

Notes

• Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2020 web report and supplementary data tables

Prevalence 

At the end of 2015, there were 506 people living who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma that year, 940 people living who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma in the previous 5 years (from 2011 to 2015) and 1,165 people living who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma in the previous 34 years (from 1982 to 2015).

For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website

The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes.  The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.