Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is nearly always devastating. Patients who are told they have a bladder tumor”or bladder cancer”may be especially disheartened and puzzled. Smoking is believed to be the cause of about half of all bladder cancer cases in the U.S., but what if the individual wasn’t a smoker? Imagine the sense of shock and betrayal when a person realizes that a trusted pharmaceutical may be to blame.
That’s what’s happening to many diabetes patients who took the drug Actos for more than a year”they’re being diagnosed with an Actos bladder tumor. The FDA recently warned about the risk in June 2011, but for many, the warning comes too little, too late.
The Risk of Actos Bladder Tumor
Speculation about a potential link between Actos and bladder cancer has existed for years, with early studies indicating a higher risk in patients taking Actos than in those taking other drugs. The FDA dragged its feet on issuing a warning, however, because of a lack of certainty around the issue. In September 2010, they launched a safety review of data from a five-year analysis of an ongoing study by Actos manufacturer, Takeda. The review resulted in bad news”though Actos doesn’t increase the risk of an Actos bladder tumor overall, for those who take the drug longer than a year, or those taking high doses of the drug, the risk increases by 40 percent.
About the same time, France released the results of an epidemiological study also indicating an increased risk of Actos bladder tumor in patients taking the drug. France subsequently issued an Actos recall, and Germany suggested physicians issue no new prescriptions soon after.
What is an Actos Tumor in Bladder?
An Actos tumor in bladder indicates uncontrolled cell division, or cancer, in the bladder. The most common type is called “transitional cell carcinoma,” and refers to cancer cells that exist in the inner lining of the bladder. Treatment usually involves removing the tumor. Without treatment, these cells can spread to nearby tissues and organs and other parts of the body.
Symptoms of an Actos bladder tumor may include blood in the urine, having to urinate often, and feeling pain during urination. To diagnose an Actos tumor in bladder, a physician will typically test the urine to look for blood or abnormal cells, and after that, perhaps perform a cystoscopy, which allows him or her to look into the bladder and take a small tissue sample.
Actos Patients Seeking Compensation Against Takeda
Many patients who have been diagnosed with an Actos bladder tumor have filed an Actos bladder cancer lawsuit to hold manufacturer Takeda responsible. An Actos lawyer is likely to argue that the manufacturer should have been more aware of the risk from the beginning, and should have implemented stronger warnings.
An Actos Bladder Tumor Lawyer May be Able to Help
If you or a loved one has experienced an Actos bladder tumor, you may be eligible for compensation in an Actos bladder tumor lawsuit. Contact Chaffin Luhana LLP today for a confidential case evaluation at 1-888-480-1123.
