Mesothelioma and other cancers - is there a link?

According to research carried out by a team of international scientists, who examined the cases of more than 5,000 mesothelioma sufferers around the world, mesothelioma victims have a higher risk of developing other cancers.

Incidence of other cancers in mesothelioma patients

Research has found that there was a higher occurrence of kidney cancer within a year after a mesothelioma diagnosis. For all other cancers, although the occurrence was still higher than normal, development typically occurred a year or more after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Those who had kidney cancer first were the most likely to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis within a year.  Those with other types of cancers were more likely to receive a mesothelioma diagnosis more than a year after their original primary cancer.

Asbestos linked to other cancers

Studies have also linked asbestos in the development of kidney cancer. Asbestos can be ingested as well as inhaled and asbestos fibres can enter the bloodstream as well as the lymphatic system and travel anywhere in the body.

Asbestos is the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma and can be linked to lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening and pleural plaques.

Whilst compensation is not recoverable for pleural plaques in England and Wales, compensation may be available for mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening.