Pancreatic Cancer: Persons Taking Januvia 
     and Janumet 
     Should Be Aware of Pancreatic Cancer Danger and Consult 
     Their Physician Regarding Potential Pancreas Cancer Risks by Texas 
     Januvia Pancreatic 
     Cancer Lawyer, Januvia Pancreatitis Lawyer, Janumet 
     Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer and Januvia 
     Pancreas Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause 
    of cancer death for both men and women and is one of the most 
    deadly of all types of cancer. The 
    diabetes drugs, Januvia and Janumet, 
    may cause an 
    increased risk of pancreatic cancer 
    in patients using Januvia. If you 
    have lost a loved one from Pancreatic Cancer or have suffered acute pancreatitis, 
    hemorrhagic pancreatitis, accute necrotizing pancreatitis, or 
    pancreatic cancer; and have 
    been using Januvia, please report the adverse action to the 
    prescribing medical doctor as soon as possible.  For more 
    information on this topic,
    
     please feel free to contact Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer, 
    Januvia Cancer Lawyer, and Janumet Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer 
    Jason Coomer, or 
    use 
    our online submission form.  
The 
    Diabetes Drug Market is Over $40 Billion Each Year and Growing 
    Rapidly Januvia and Janumet had Annual Sales of $4.7 Billion in 2011
More than 300 
    million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, including about 
    30 million Americans.  In 2010, the global 
    prevalence of diabetes was estimated to have reached 285 million 
    and predicted to reach 438 million in 2030. The corresponding 
    figures for North America were 37.4 million in 2010 and 53.2 
    million by 2030 and in Europe 55.2 million in 2010 and 66.2 
    million in 2030.  The global market for products in 
    the management of diabetes currently stands at $41 billion and 
    is on pace to grow to over $114 billion by 2018.  
In 2011, Januvia annual sales rose 39%, to 
    $3.3 billion, from $2.4 billion the year before and $1.9 in 
    2009. Januvia along with its sister drug Janumet (a combination 
    of Januvia and metformin) has combined for sales of $4.7 billion 
    for 2011.  Sales of Januvia and Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin) 
    is approved in all major markets and have outdone initial 
    estimates for the drugs.  
Merck’s Januvia (sitagliptin) is approved in 
    all major markets and is the first in a new class of diabetic 
    drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.  It 
    is approved by the FDA as an adjunct to diet and exercise to 
    improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes 
    mellitus.
FDA Information on Sitagliptin (marketed 
    as Januvia and Janumet) 
[09-25-2009] FDA is revising the prescribing 
    information for Januvia (sitagliptin) and Janumet (sitagliptin/metformin) 
    to include information on reported cases of acute pancreatitis 
    in patients using these products. 
Sitagliptin, the first in a new class of 
    diabetic drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, 
    is approved as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve 
    glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 
Eighty-eight post-marketing cases of acute 
    pancreatitis, including two cases of hemorrhagic or necrotizing 
    pancreatitis in patients using sitagliptin, were reported to the 
    Agency between October 16, 2006 and February 9, 2009. Based on 
    these reports, FDA is working with the manufacturer of 
    sitagliptin and sitagliptin/metformin to revise the prescribing 
    information to include: 
Information regarding post-marketing reports 
    of acute pancreatitis, including the severe forms, hemorrhagic 
    or necrotizing pancreatitis. Recommending that healthcare 
    professionals monitor patients carefully for the development of 
    pancreatitis after initiation or dose increases of sitagliptin 
    or sitagliptin/metformin, and to discontinue sitagliptin or 
    sitagliptin/metformin if pancreatitis is suspected while using 
    these products. Information noting that sitagliptin has not been 
    studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis. Therefore, 
    it is not known whether these patients are at an increased risk 
    for developing pancreatitis while using sitagliptin or 
    sitagliptin/metformin. Sitagliptin or sitagliptin/metformin 
    should be used with caution and with appropriate monitoring in 
    patients with a history of pancreatitis.
Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit 
    Information, Januvia Pancreatitis Lawsuit Information and 
    Januvia Pancreas Cancer Lawsuit Information
Between October 16, 2006 and February 9, 
    2009, the FDA received 88 post-marketing cases of acute 
    pancreatitis, of which 66 required hospitalization. The FDA 
    review also found that in over half of these cases, the 
    patient’s pancreatitis resolved once Januvia was discontinued. 
    While diabetics are more vulnerable to developing pancreatitis 
    than those without the disease, it does appear that taking 
    Januvia can potentially increase that risk. And, if pancreatitis 
    becomes chronic, the inflammation of the pancreas will alter its 
    normal structure and functions.
Pancreatic Carinoma, Pancreatic Cancer, and Cancer 
     Pancreas
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading 
     cause of cancer death for both men and women and is one of 
     the most deadly of all types of cancer. This year 
     approximately 45,000 Americans will be diagnosed with 
     pancreatic cancer and about 38,000 will die from it.
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is 
     difficult to diagnose, and the diagnosis is often made late 
     in the course of the disease.  Early detection of 
     pancreatic cancer is essential and will greatly improve a 
     person's chances of surviving the disease. As such, people 
     that have taken Byetta, especially those with symptoms of 
     weight loss, dark urine and clay-colored stools, back pain, 
     and jaundice, should seek advice from a qualified medical 
     professional as to if they may have pancreatic cancer and 
     what symptoms they should be aware of to detect any early 
     onset of pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic Cancer, Exocrine Pancreas Cancers (Pancreatic 
     Adenocarcinoma) and Endocrine Pancreatic Cancers
The pancreas is a large organ located 
     behind the stomach and in front of the spine above the level 
     of the belly button. The pancreas performs two main 
     functions:  1) it makes insulin, a hormone that 
     regulates blood sugar levels, and 2) it makes enzymes. The 
     pancreas makes and releases enzymes into the intestines that 
     help the body absorb foods, especially fats.  The 
     pancreas is made of Exocrine cells and Endocrine cells.  
     Exocrine cells are cells that produce a pancreatic juice 
     that includes enzymes which aid in the digestion of food in 
     the small intestine, breaking up proteins, carbohydrates, 
     and fats.  
The most common kind of pancreatic cancer 
     is pancreatic adenocarcinoma and includes about 90% of the 
     cases of pancreatic cancer.  Pancreatic adenocarcinoma 
     is a cancerous overgrowth of exocrine pancreatic cells and 
     is unfortunately commonly undetected until it is too late 
     for the patient.  Pancreatic adenocarcinoma because of 
     late detection can often result a fatal diagnosis with very 
     limited survival time. Other forms of exocrine pancreas 
     cancer include: intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm 
     (IPMN), adenosquamous carcinomas, acinar cell carcinomas, 
     mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, signet ring cell carcinomas, 
     hepatoid carcinomas, colloid carcinomas, undifferentiated 
     carcinomas, pancreatoblastomas, and undifferentiated 
     carcinomas with osteoclast-like giant cells.
Endocrine cells are clustered in small 
     groups (called the Islets of Langerhans) scattered 
     throughout the pancreas. These endocrine cells produce 
     important hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and 
     somatostatin.  The hormones called insulin and glucagon 
     help your body control blood sugar levels. Tumors can also 
     occur in these cells, but they are called islet cell tumors 
     and are rare. 
The exact cause of pancreatic cancer is 
     unknown. However, it is more common in people with diabetes 
     and people with long-term inflammation of the pancreas 
     (chronic pancreatitis).  It is also thought that the 
     use of Byetta can cause pancreatitis resulting in pancreatic 
     cancer. 
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can 
     include: dark urine and clay-colored stools, fatigue and 
     weakness, jaundice (a yellow color in the skin, mucus 
     membranes, or eyes), loss of appetite and weight loss, 
     nausea and vomiting, pain or discomfort in the upper part of 
     the belly or abdomen, back pain, blood clots, diarrhea, and 
     indigestion.
Pancreatic cancer is often not detected 
     early on and is often advanced when it is first found.  
     As such, ninety-five percent of the people diagnosed with 
     this cancer will not be alive 5 years later.  Some 
     patients have pancreatic cancer that can be surgically 
     removed are cured. However, in more than 80% of patients the 
     tumor has already spread and cannot be completely removed at 
     the time of diagnosis.  In the few cases where 
     pancreatic tumors can be removed by surgery. The standard 
     surgical procedure to remove pancreatic tumors is called a 
     Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenectomy or 
     pancreaticoduodenectomy). This surgery should be done by an 
     experienced surgeon and at a medical center that performs 
     the procedure often. Some studies suggest that the Whipple 
     procedure is best performed at hospitals that do more than 
     five of these surgeries per year. 
When the tumor has not spread out of the 
     pancreas, but cannot be removed, radiation therapy and 
     chemotherapy together may be recommended. When the tumor has 
     spread (metastasized) to other organs such as the liver, 
     chemotherapy alone is usually used. The standard 
     chemotherapy drug is gemcitabine, but other drugs may be 
     used. Gemcitabine can help about 25% of patients. 
Patients whose tumor cannot be totally 
     removed, but who have a blockage of the tubes that transport 
     bile (biliary obstruction) must have that blockage relieved. 
     There are two approaches including surgery and placement of 
     a tiny metal tube (biliary stent) during ERCP. 
Managing pain and other symptoms is an 
     important part of treating advanced pancreatic cancer. 
     Palliative care tams and hospice can help with pain and 
     symptom management, and provide psychological support for 
     patients and their families during the illness.
Acute Pancreatitis, Hemorrhagic 
    Pancreatitis, Necrotizing Pancreatitis 
Acute pancreatitis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas 
    that occurs over a short period of time. The pancreas is a 
    digestive organ behind the stomach that secretes essential 
    enzymes needed for the digestion of certain foods, including 
    fats, carbohydrates and proteins. During an episode of acute 
    hemorrhagic pancreatitis, several symptoms relating to digestion 
    and abdomen may occur.  In severe cases, the person may 
    experience confusion, difficulty breathing, or respiratory 
    failure.  The person may also fall into a coma.
The severity of acute 
    pancreatitis may range from mild abdominal discomfort to a 
    severe, life-threatening illness. However, the majority of 
    people with acute pancreatitis (more than 80%) recover 
    completely after receiving the appropriate treatment.  In 
    very severe cases, acute pancreatitis can result in bleeding 
    into the gland, serious tissue damage, infection, and cyst 
    formation. Severe pancreatitis can also create conditions which 
    can harm other vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and 
    kidneys.
The warning signs of pancreatitis include: 1) Upper abdominal 
    pain that radiates into the back. Patients may describe this as 
    a "boring sensation" that may be aggravated by eating, 
    especially foods high in fat. 2) Swollen and tender abdomen 3) 
    Nausea and vomiting 4) Fever  and 5) Increased heart rate.
Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis is the sudden 
    inflammation of the pancreas. This leads to death of pancreatic 
    tissue and the formation of lesions, causing extensive bleeding. Necrotizing pancreatitis is a serious health condition where 
    a person's pancreas is inflamed and bleeding. In Necrotizing 
    Pancreatitis patients, there is inflammation and tissue death, 
    with the pancreas destroying itself.  Whereas in 
    Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis patients, the pancreas is bleeding.  
    Both are serious conditions and should be treated immediately.
Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Death Lawyer, Janumet 
     Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer, Sitagliptin Pancreatic Cancer 
     Lawyer, Sitagliptin/Metformin Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer, 
     Janumet Pancreas Cancer Lawyer, Sitagliptin Panreas Cancer 
     Lawyer, and Januvia Pancreatitis Lawyer 
If you 
    have lost a loved one from Pancreatic Cancer or have suffered acute pancreatitis, 
    hemorrhagic pancreatitis, accute necrotizing pancreatitis, or 
    pancreas cancer; and have 
    been using Januvia, please report the adverse action 
    to the prescribing medical doctor as soon as possible.  For more information on 
     Januvia 
    Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits, Januvia Cancer Death Lawsuits, or 
     Januvia 
    Pancreas Cancer Lawsuits, please go to the following webpage: 
Januvia     Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit, Januvia Cancer Death Lawsuit, or      Januvia     Pancreas Cancer Lawsuit Information.