Mavericks Frontman Raúl Malo Dies of Rare Leptomeningeal Cancer; Know the Early Warning Signs

The

Mavericks singer and frontman, Raul Malo, has died at the age of 60. According to news reports in Rolling Stone, Malo was diagnosed with LMD, or leptomeningeal disease, a rare cancer that affects the brain and spinal cord. “Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy. Over a career of more than three decades entertaining millions around the globe, his towering creative contributions and unrivaled, generational talent created the kind of multicultural American music reaching far beyond America itself,” the band wrote in a statement.

What is leptomeningeal disease?

Leptomeningeal disease, also known as LMD or leptomeningeal metastasis, is a cancer that occurs in your cerebrospinal fluid and in your leptomeninges, the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord. It happens when an advanced cancer spreads from part of your body to your cerebrospinal fluid and leptomeninges. Leptomeningeal disease is rare; however, doctors say there are more cases as more people live longer with cancer. There is no cure for leptomeningeal disease; instead, healthcare providers focus on treatment to keep the cancer from spreading, ease symptoms, and maintain quality of life. According to experts, approximately 5 per cent of all people who have cancer develop leptomeningeal disease. The condition most commonly affects people who have the following kinds of cancer:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Melanoma
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

What is the difference between brain metastases and leptomeningeal disease?

Brain metastases or metastatic brain tumours, and leptomeningeal disease happen when cancer spreads. The difference is that brain metastases are tumours that have travelled to your brain tissue itself. Leptomeningeal disease is cancer that travels to your cerebrospinal fluid and membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord. Brain metastases and leptomeningeal disease can happen independently or together.

What causes Leptomeningeal disease?

According to doctors, leptomeningeal disease happens when a growing cancer spreads from its original site in your body to your cerebrospinal fluid and leptomeninges. This represents an advanced and aggressive pattern of cancer and is a significant event. The leptomeninges are the inner part of your meninges. Cerebrospinal fluid is the clear fluid produced by your brain that surrounds your entire central nervous system and has direct contact with your leptomeninges. Normally, a network of veins drains this fluid unless something keeps the fluid from draining. Cancer that spreads to your leptomeninges and cerebrospinal fluid can cause many neurologic symptoms and can block the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid and create pressure on your brain.

Signs and symptoms of Leptomeningeal disease

Doctors say there are many symptoms of leptomeningeal disease, a few of which include:

• Severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in gait or how you walk
• Hearing loss
• Problems with vision, such as having double vision
• Seizures
• Confusion and changes in alertness, mood, or behaviour
• Back and leg pain
• Numbness or weakness in legs or buttocks
• Problems with peeing or pooping
• Other new neurologic problems