Mesothelioma can spread to the brain, although this is likely rare, and most people do not experience symptoms even if a distant metastasis occurs, according to the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. Mesothelioma is very aggressive and almost always terminal. It generally spreads quickly through the chest cavity and nearby areas, leading to difficulty breathing and chest pain.
Because mesothelioma that occurs in the lining of the chest cavity quickly affects the lungs, it rarely has time to grow invasively into the brain before the person passes away from breathing-related issues.
Some Cancers Spread to the Brain
Any cancer can spread to the brain, but some are much more likely to than others. According to the Mayo Clinic, the types of cancer that usually spread to the patient’s brain include cancers that originate in the:
- Lungs
- Breasts
- Colon
- Kidney
- Melanoma, a serious type of skin cancer
This means that if an asbestos-related cancer spreads to the brain, it is much more likely to be an asbestos-related lung cancer than mesothelioma, which most commonly affects the tissue lining the outside of the lungs and only spreads within the chest cavity, lymph nodes, and other nearby areas before the patient passes away.
While mesothelioma is almost always related to asbestos exposure, working with or around asbestos products and inhaling the fibers can also cause several types of lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These cancers may spread to the brain more often than mesothelioma, but they are not always related to asbestos exposure.
Distant Metastases May Occur More Often Than Realized with Mesothelioma
While previous research mostly points to mesothelioma spreading only locally and not metastasizing into distant areas such as the brain, a case outlined in the Journal of Surgical Case Reports shows that this is not always the case. According to this study, mesothelioma can spread to the brain. Usually, the only way doctors discover the distant metastasizing is during autopsies of mesothelioma patients.
The researchers writing about this case made the point that, while the median survival rate for those with mesothelioma in the chest is only around nine months after diagnosis, this does not necessarily mean that the disease cannot spread to distant areas of the body.
This report references a 1991 study that reviewed almost 200 cases of malignant mesothelioma postmortem and found that more than half had signs of cancer in distant parts of the body. This included:
- The liver (56 percent)
- The adrenal glands (31 percent)
- The kidneys (30 percent)
- The brain (3 percent)
It is unclear how modern medical imaging and autopsy techniques might alter these totals.
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Mesothelioma May Allow You To Pursue Financial Recovery
If you worked with asbestos products or had other exposure to asbestos, you may be able to pursue financial recovery. You should not have to pay out of pocket for medical treatment and related care when it is the asbestos companies that profited from your work. We believe the asbestos companies owe you a settlement or award that may include:
- Medical treatment and support
- Care costs including supportive and hospice care
- Related out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Other losses as documented
If your loved one passed away from mesothelioma, you may be able to seek a wrongful death award from an asbestos trust fund, as well. This could allow you to recover additional losses by filing a claim or lawsuit based on your family member’s asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis.
Working with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, you will pay nothing upfront for our legal representation. We believe you should not have to spend money out of your pocket for any costs related to your diagnosis. We only take our fee after we secure financial recovery in your case.
Speak to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Team Today
An asbestos cancer lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may be able to build a case for a financial award on your family’s behalf today. We can file claims for patients with mesothelioma or for the surviving family members of those who passed away from this asbestos-related cancer.
We believe those who face this aggressive, painful cancer deserve a financial recovery and to hold the asbestos companies accountable.
You can speak to Pintas & Mullins Law Firm about your mesothelioma asbestos cancer case today. We can evaluate your case for free and explain how we may be able to seek an award for you. Call (800) 307-3113 now to get started.
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