Bladder Cancer

In June, 2011, there was an Actos and bladder cancer FDA announcement regarding a link and increased risk for patients using the medicine for an extended period of time (over one year). There is currently no Actos recall. It is estimated that over 2.3 million patients had an Actos prescription filled in 2010 to help treat diabetes.

Recommended Information for Patients:
• Patients taking drugs that contain pioglitazone (Actos) may have an increased risk of developing bladder cancer
• Patients already undergoing bladder cancer treatment should not use pioglitazone
• Notify your treating physician as soon as possible if you experience any of the following symptoms while taking drugs containing pioglitazone: blood in urine; pain during urination or urgent need to urnate; pain in the lower abdomen or back
• Review the medication guide included with your prescription which goes over the side effects and risks associated with pioglitazone
• Following the latest information on the Actos and bladder cancer risk you are encouraged to report any side effects experienced while using Actos to the Food and Drug Administration MedWatch program

The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2010 a total of 70,530 people will be diagnosed with bladder cancer. The percentage of men diagnosed with bladder cancer is much greater than women (52,760 men and 17,770 women). The median age for being diagnosed with bladder cancer when looking at the range of years from 2004-2008 is 73 years of age. Looking at bladder cancer rates from 2005-2007, there is a 2.39% lifetime risk of men and women who are born today being diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Over ninety percent of people living in the United States who are diagnosed with bladder cancer have a type called transitional cell cancer (TCC). This type of cancer starts on the cells of inner lining surface of the bladder. These cells are called transitional cells and when the bladder is full they are able to stretch and can shrink after emptying.

Bladder Cancer Cells
Normal, healthy cells grow and multiply forming new cells as the body requires them. As these cells get damaged or grow old they die off and new cells replace them. A tumor or growth can form when either new cells grown when the body doesn’t need them or old and damaged cells fail to die. The resulting build-up of cells forms a tumor which can be either cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign).

Malignant tumors:
• May be life threatening
• Have the ability to invade and damage surrounding organs and tissue
• Usually can be surgically removed but are able to grow back
• Can grow and spread to other areas of the body

Benign tumors:
• Typically are not life-threatening
• Can be safely removed and in most cases don’t grow back
• Don’t invade the surrounding tissues
• Don’t spread to other areas of the body

Bladder cancer cells are able to spread by breaking off from the original tumor. These cells can then spread by moving through the blood vessels eventually reaching the liver, lungs, and bones. Bladder cancer cells can migrate through lymph vessels to neighboring lymph nodes. After they spread, the cancer cells can attach to other tissues and then grow to produce new tumors that can damage those tissues.

Actos Causing Bladder Cancer Risk Factors
In addition to using Actos for other one year there are a number of bladder cancer risk factors that can increase the likelihood that a person develops cancer. These risk factors include: smoking; workplace chemicals; personal history of bladder cancer; certain cancer treatment drugs; arsenic and family history of bladder cancer.

We represent all patients suffering from Actos and bladder cancer complications and families of a loved one on a contingency basis which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no-obligation consultation please call toll free or fill out our short online contact form and an attorney will contact you to answer any of your questions including the latest Actos recall news and Actos lawsuit bladder cancer filing deadlines. Currently there is no Actos recall.