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The Texas Lawyers Blog provides useful information on the law and Texas lawyers. For more information on this Blog or a legal topic, please feel free to submit an inquiry or send an e-mail message to blog@texaslawyers.com

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Texas Xarelto Fatal Blood Loss Lawyer: Xarelto May Cause Fatal Bleeding and Hemorrhaging by Texas Xarelto Fatal Blood Loss Lawyer

Texas Xarelto Fatal Blood Loss Lawyer: The Blood Thinner, Xarelto, May Cause Excessive Bleeding and Fatal Blood Loss by Texas Xarelto Fatal Blood Loss Lawyer Jason Coomer 

The blood thinner, Xarelto, may cause serious health problems including internal bleeding and hemorrhaging.  This excessive blood loss can be irreversible and may result in death.  Persons taking Xarelto should be aware of the potential danger and discuss the risks and alternatives with their health care provider.

If someone you love has been given Xarelto and has suffered fatal or severe blood loss, it is important that you report the adverse health event to the FDA.  For more information on Xarelto Fatal Blood Loss Lawsuits, please feel free to send an e-mail message to Texas Xarelto Blood Loss Lawyer, Jason Coomer.

Xarelto Internal Bleeding Lawsuit Information

Several Xarelto lawsuits have been filed by families of people that have been given Xarelto and who have lost loved ones as well as individuals that have suffered serious health issues including hemorrhaging.  These lawsuits allege that despite being aware of the significant risk of fatal bleeding and hemorrhaging as well as the fact that there is no know antidote for Xarelto, the manufacturers of the blood thinner, Xarelto, hid this risk from patients and medical providers, while pushing for increased sales of this drug.

The aggressive marketing of the Xarelto is expected to increase sales of Xarelto to over $1 Billion annually in 2014 and to over $3 Billion by 2018.  Several lawsuits for off label marketing of Xarelto are expected to be filed as the use of the drug become more common.

 Xarelto and FDA Warnings

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a serious of boxed warnings as well as warnings and precautions regarding the safety of Xarelto.  Some of these warnings are in regard to hemorrhaging dangers that can be caused by Xarelto.

For persons that have been given Xarelto, it is important to seek medical attention, if you develop any signs or symptoms of bleeding such as:
  •     unusual bleeding from the gums
  •     nose bleeding that happens often
  •     menstrual or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal
  •     bleeding that is severe or you cannot control
  •     pink or brown urine
  •     red or black stools (looks like tar)
  •     bruises that happen without a known cause or that get larger
  •     coughing up blood or blood clots
  •     vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
  •     Other symptoms of Pradaxa internal bleeding may include:
  •     Tiredness and Lethargy,  Joint pain or swelling
  •     Headaches Dizziness Weakness
  •     swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
If you experience these symptoms or have lost someone that has been given Xarelto, it is important that you report the adverse symptoms or death to your loved ones' health care provider and the FDA.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Fusion Surgery Cancer Risk and Health Alert: Infuse Bone Graft Used in Fusion Surgery May Cause Cancer and Nerve Damage by Texas Fusion Surgery Lawyer

Back and Neck Fusion Surgery Health Alert: The Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft Product That Has Been Used In Thousands of Neck and Back Fusion Surgeries May Cause Cancer, Nerve Damage, and Even Death by Texas Fusion Surgery Lawyer and Texas Fusion Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer  

The bone growth product, Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft, has been used in thousands of fusion surgeries.  Thousands of lawsuits have now been filed that Infuse Bone may cause an increased risk of cancer, nerve damage, or death.  Persons that have had fusion surgery where Infuse has been used should be aware of the potential health risks including cancer danger.  Persons that have been diagnosed with cancer or nerve damage after going through an Infuse Bone Graft Surgery should report the health issues to their physician and the FDA.  Additionally, families that have lost a loved one to cancer, nerve damage, organ failure, or respiratory failure after a fusion surgery should also contact the FDA regarding the death.   

For information regarding a potential Fusion Cancer Lawsuit, Fusion Nerve Damage Lawsuit, or Fusion Death Lawsuit, please feel free to send an e-mail message to Texas Fusion Cancer Lawyer and Texas Fatal Back Fusion Lawyer Jason Coomer. 

FDA Adverse Reports and Post Fusion Surgery Adverse Health Events

Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft is a product that has been commonly used in back fusion surgeries since 2002.  The product contains recombinant human Bone Morphogenetic Protein (rhBMP) which is a genetically engineered protein that initiates bone growth.  The Infuse Bone Graft was approved by the FDA for use in some specific back surgeries, but has not been approved for neck surgery.  The FDA has received more than 200 adverse reports from the Infuse product including patients that have suffered swelling of the neck tissue, which constricted their airways, requiring an emergency tracheotomy, feeding tube, and more surgery.

Persons who have had a back fusion surgery which included the use of Infuse Bone Graft and families of these people should be aware of and report any of the following post surgery adverse health events:

  •     Cancer
  •     Difficulties swallowing, speaking, or breathing
  •     Angioedema (swelling of the neck and throat, which can cause fatal suffocation)
  •     Compression of airway
  •     Impingement of nerves and nerve damage
  •     Unwanted bone growth
  •     Male sterility
  •     Paralysis
  •     Emergency surgery
  •     Disability
  •     Death
Fusion Surgery Cancer Lawsuit, Fatal Fusion Surgery Lawsuit, and Fusion Surgery Nerve Damage Lawsuit Information

For information regarding a potential Fusion Cancer Lawsuit, Fusion Nerve Damage Lawsuit, or Fusion Death Lawsuit, please go to the following web page: Fusion Cancer Lawsuit, Fusion Nerve Damage Lawsuit, or Fusion Death Lawsuit Information.  

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Large Whistleblower Rewards Are Being Offered to People that Properly Expose Fraud and Corruption

Whistleblowers That Properly Expose Fraud and Corruption Can Receive Large Financial Rewards by Whistleblower Reward Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

The Federal Government and several states have enacted Whistleblower laws that offer large financial rewards to individuals and businesses that properly expose fraud and corruption. Included in many of these laws are whistleblower protections that in some cases allow whistleblowers to anonymously report fraud and corruption through a lawyer, in other cases there are strong protections against retaliation that provide legal recourse against employers that wrongfully terminate whistleblowers for exposing fraud.

For more information on Whistleblower Reward laws and Bounty Action laws, please go to the following web site: Whistleblower Reward Information

Sunday, August 3, 2014

Texas Oil Truck Driver Accident Lawsuit Information: Fatal Oil Truck Accidents Are on The Rise by Texas Oil Truck Driver Accident Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Texas Oil Truck Driver Accident Lawsuit Information: Many Oil Companies, Trucking Companies, and Oilfield Supply & Equipment Companies Are Ignoring Safety and Causing Texas Oil Truck Driver Fatal Accidents and Serious Injury Accidents by Texas Oil Truck Driver Accident Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Several oil companies, oilfield related companies, and trucking companies are sacrificing safety to increase profits.  As such, Texas are seeing large oil trucks, pipe trucks, oil drilling mud trucks, and other oil industry trucks speeding down Texas roads by overworked and under trained drivers.  Some of these trucks when they collide with passenger vehicles are causing fatal accidents and catastrophic injury accidents.

Families that have lost a loved one to these vehicles should be aware of several potential causes of action that they have against large corporations and their insurance companies.  These families should also make sure to have a thorough investigation done of the fatal or catastrophic injury accident.  For more information on Truck Wreck Investigations, Texas Oil Truck Driver Accident Lawsuits, and Texas Fatal Accident Causes of Action, please go to the following web pages: The Truck Collision and 18-Wheeler Information and Investigation Center, Texas Oil Truck Driver Accident Lawsuit Information, and Texas Wrongful Death and Survival Actions.

These Fatal Oil Company Truck Accidents Should Be Investigated by Experienced Texas Oil Company Truck Wreck Lawyers to Determine the Cause of The Accident and Prevent Future Similar Accidents

According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, thousands of motorists are killed each year by commercial vehicles. Commercial vehicles including oil trucks, oil equipment trucks, and oil supply trucks are too often driven by under trained, inexperienced, and over worked drivers that are under pressure to drive fast as well as keep maintenance costs down.  These factors combined with old roads, country roads, farm roads, heavy traffic, and road construction or potential driver distractions such as cell phones, GPS devices, food, drinks, and texting can cause fatal automobile accidents.

Whether a driver is driving a large commercial vehicle such as a oil pipe truck, oil mud truck, oil equipment truck, company van, oil company 18-wheeler, dump truck, propane truck, garbage truck, construction truck, semi-trucks, tractor-trailer, utility truck, hauling truck, or other commercial vehicle, it is important that the driver be trained to operate the commercial vehicle and have their driving record reviewed for accidents as well as drunk driving convictions.  It is also important that these drivers are not overworked, that their vehicles are safe, and that the companies follow safety rules.  For more information on serious injury and fatal accident investigations, please feel free to contact Texas Oil Truck Driver Accident Lawyer Jason S. Coomer.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

International Drug Company Bribes: Large Financial Rewards Are Being Offered to People That Expose Drug Company Bribes to Public Officials

International Drug Company Bribes: Large Financial Rewards Are Being Offered to People That Expose Drug Company Bribes to Public Officials by International Whistleblower Reward Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits bribery of foreign officials by U.S. and foreign companies listed on the U.S. securities exchange.  These prohibitions include large drug companies that are paying bribes to doctors, health care administrators, and other government officials to sell drugs and obtain large procurement contracts in China, Russia, and other pharmerging countries. 

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Whistleblowers that properly report violations of the FCPA by a U.S. or foreign company listed on the U.S. securities exchanges can recover a large reward for exposing FCPA violations.  These whistleblowers can expose bribery schemes through a lawyer and protect their identify. 

For more information on Exposing Drug Company Bribes, please go to the following website: International Whistleblower Rewards

Between $100 Billion to $200 Billion in Corrupt Drug Procurement Contracts Are Obtained Each Year Through Fraud and Corruption

Every year over $4.1 trillion (US dollars) is spent worldwide on health services including approximately $800 billion (US dollars) that is spent in the pharmaceutical market on drugs and medications. It is estimated that approximately 10 to 25% of public health care procurement spending including drug contracts, medicines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and medical devices is lost to corrupt and fraudulent acts.  These acts include government official bribes, illegal kickbacks, and other illicit payment and fraud schemes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the term "medicines chain" to be the steps that are required for the creation, regulation, management and consumption of pharmaceuticals.  In other words it is the medication supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry from creation to end user. According to the World Health Organization, corruption is common in the international pharmaceutical sector and occurs throughout all stages of the medicines supply chain, from research and development to dispensing and promotion.  These unethical and corrupt practices in the medicines supply chain can take many forms such as falsification of evidence, false certification of adulterated drugs, import false certifications, export false certifications, conflicts of interest, and illegal bribe and kickback schemes.

As such, the World Health Organization and many other international public health organizations are seeking public policy changes under the umbrella of good governance initiatives within the medicines chain to reduce government corruption and optimize public health outcomes.  Some proposed public policy changes that can help reduce corruption and fraud in the pharmaceutical medicines chain include: 1) protection of international medicines supply chain whistleblowers; 2) offering financial incentives to international medicines chain whistleblowers; 3) passage of legislation and regulation for drug quality control and official certifications to monitor the transport of medications including the export and import of medicines throughout world and along international medicines supply chains; 4) increased enforcement mechanisms for violations of existing pharmaceutical laws and regulations; and 5) increased resources for conflict of interest management and checks to ensure key people in the medicines chain are not accepting illegal bribes, kickbacks, and other illicit payments.

In response to these good governance initiatives, the international community including the United States, United Kingdom, and many other countries have enacted new anti-bribery and anti corruption laws that will enable persons with knowledge of international medicines supply chain fraud and corruption to expose the illegal acts and reap rewards from blowing the whistle, while being protected from potential retaliation from the wrong doers.

While there are an increasing number of reported cases of corruption in the medicines chain, much unethical practice has historically gone unreported.  This is changing as new whistleblower protections and whistleblower financial incentives are coming into place to help overcome  institutionalized corruption in the pharmaceutical medicines chain and to provide protection for courageous whistleblowers that want to change the institutionalized corruption that is damaging their countries.

Because medicines typically change hands several times in the medicines chain between the drug manufacturer and patients, the large number of steps in the medicines chain allows numerous opportunities for unethical practices to take place.  Therefore increased regulations and laws throughout the medicines chain including manufacturing quality assurances, export regulations and inspections, import regulations and inspections, health care provider regulations and inventory policies, and patient protections are needed.  Fortunately, the new international whistleblower laws will allow international whistleblowers with specialized knowledge of the corruption to blow the whistle on fraud, false certifications, and illicit payments that are occurring throughout the medicines chain.   

A lack of transparency and accountability within the medicines chain can also contribute to unethical practices and corruption.  Therefore increased enforcement mechanisms are needed for violations of existing pharmaceutical laws and regulations.  These enforcement mechanisms include "SEC Bounty Actions" that allow private citizens to work through international medicines supply chain whistleblower reward lawyers to expose significant fraud and obtain large bounties for successful prosecution of pharmaceutical illicit payment schemes.  Ideally, these international medicines supply chain whistleblower reward actions will track fraud and corruption to the root causes and help reform corporate corruption of public health care systems.  Through international pharmaceutical representative whistleblowers, international drug executive whistleblowers, foreign government official whistleblowers, health care provider whistleblowers, and other medicines supply chain whistleblowers, the international community can efficiently identify, expose, and remedy medicines chain corruption.



Monday, May 26, 2014

Texas Investment Fraud Lawyer Confidentially Reviews Investment Fraud Lawsuits Including SEC Bounty Actions

Texas Investment Fraud Lawyer Jason Coomer Confidentially Reviews Investment Fraud Lawsuits Including SEC Whistleblower Reward Bounty Actions by Texas Investment Fraud Lawyer Jason Coomer

Texas investment fraud lawyer, Jason Coomer handles investment fraud lawsuits including retirement fraud, broker fraud, business fraud, and whistleblower reward fraud lawsuits.  He works with investors on cases where fraudulent and negligent misrepresentations have cost investors and businesses substantial amounts of money. 



SEC Whistleblower Bounty Actions Are Designed to Encourage Persons With Knowledge of Investment Fraud and Significant SEC Violations To Confidentially Expose the Fraud By Offering Large Financial Rewards For People That Are The Original Source of Information That Expose The Fraud

SEC Fraud Whistleblower Lawsuits or SEC Bounty Actions are a product of the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  These laws were designed to create bounties that can be collected by whistleblowers that properly report SEC violations, financial fraud, securities fraud, commodities fraud, and stimulus fraud that result in monetary sanctions over one million dollars ($1,000,000.00).  The SEC can award the whistleblower up to 30% of the money collected.

Persons that report this fraud through an attorney can remain anonymous and still collect a large reward through their attorney.  By creating anonymous whistleblower bounties, the SEC expects investors and people with specific information of fraud to expose hard to detect fraud and to help regulate the financial market and prevent large investment corporations, banks, hedge funds, and other large corporations from committing financial fraud of billions of dollars.  For more information, please feel free to contact Bounty Action Lawyer Jason S. Coomer or go to the following web page, SEC Bounty Action Lawsuits.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

St Jude Spinal Stimulators: St. Jude Eon Stimulators and Medtronic Stimulators May Malfunction by Defective Spinal Stimulator Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

St Jude Spinal Stimulators: Implantable Neurostimulation Systems Including St. Jude Eon and Eon Mini Spinal Stimulators May Malfunction Causing People with the Devices to Experience a Continuous Shock and Extreme Pain or Require Removal Through Surgery by Defective Spinal Stimulator Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Defective Implantable Neurostimulation Systems have caused many people to suffer severe shocks, severe pain, and other significant health problems. Persons with or thinking about receiving a St. Jude spinal stimulator or Medtronic stimulator should speak with their health care provider about the potential health risks of having a spinal stimulator implanted in them as well as make sure that the device is being used for an FDA approved indication.

Persons that have experienced severe shocks, malfunctioning batteries, and other problems with an implanted spinal stimulator, should consult their health care provider and make sure that any adverse health events from the implanted spinal stimulator are reported to the FDA. For more information on defective spinal stimulator lawsuits, please go to the following web page: St. Jude Spinal Stimulator  Lawsuit Information or please feel free to send an e-mail to Defective Spinal Stimulator Lawyer Jason Coomer.

FDA Action on Spinal Stimulators

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issues warning letters when it finds certain problems that it wants a company to fix.  In a letter dated July 17, 2012, the FDA issued a warning letter related to Medtronic’s process for handling complaints and stated that regulatory action might ensue should the manufacturer fail to address the agency’s request to take action. The FDA also issued a warning letter to St. Jude Medical, resulting in the company’s announcement that there were weld failures present within the internal batteries of their units. Physicians and Patients who may have been implanted with defective stimulators are being notified individually by St. Jude Medical. Since the problem surfaced in 2011, over 300 heat-related complaints have been filed on behalf of carriers of defective units and several lawsuits have been filed. The failure of a stimulator to operate correctly has had many effects on our clients. At a minimum, defective devices expose clients to the very pain the devices are supposed to relieve. In addition to increased pain, other symptoms our clients have reported experiencing include:
  • Severe irritation and  burning at the battery site
  • An inability to control the stimulator (resulting in unwelcome jolts, pain, or temporary paralysis)
  • Severe burns while recharging the battery
  • Premature battery depletion
  • Bladder problems
  • Increased numbness
  • Lead migration and broken anchors
  • Partial paralysis
In most cases, when a stimulator is found to be defective it must be removed. This surgery can be both costly and cause its own complications. Not only is there always a risk of infection with every surgery, but because the removal of a stimulator requires navigating delicate nerves in the spine, it is possible that nerves can be nicked or otherwise damages during the procedure leading to symptoms such as weakness, pain, or numbness in the body. In some cases, removal of the simulator can result in a leakage of spinal fluid from the epidural space, leading to severe and long-lasting headaches or feelings of fatigue which may heal on its own or may require its own surgery to repair.

Spinal Stimulator Lawsuit Information

In reviewing potential failed back surgery implant lawsuits, it is important to obtain copies of your medical records and to determine if the implantable neurostimulation system was properly implanted by the spinal surgeon or if the spinal stimulator was defective.  If the spinal stimulator was defective and has/had to be removed, it is important that the defective device is kept as potential evidence.  For more information on this topic, please feel free to go to the following web page, Failed Back Surgery and Defective Implantable Neurostimulation System Lawsuits  or please feel free to send an e-mail to Defective Spinal Stimulator Lawyer Jason Coomer.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

West Texas Truck Wreck Lawsuit Information: Preservation of Evidence Is A Key to A Successful West Texas Truck Wreck Lawsuit by Texas Truck Wreck Lawyer Jason Coomer

West Texas Truck Wreck Lawsuit Information: Investigation of The Accident Scene and Review of Evidence Are Keys to Successfully Litigating A West Texas Truck Wreck Lawsuit by Texas Truck Wreck Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

After a truck wreck, an efficient and effective investigation can create advantages in the preservation of key evidence and information that can win a large verdict in a law suit or result in an early and large settlement of an insurance claim.  For this reason, it is important to have professionals working for you that understand how to investigate a serious accident and preserve key evidence that can prove liability or damages.  For more information on investigating West Texas Truck Wreck Lawsuits and other Texas Truck Wreck Lawsuits, please go to the following web page: Texas Truck Wreck Lawsuit Investigation Information.

Investigation at the Scene of the Accident

Immediately after an accident, the trucking company and their insurance company are typically in route to the accident scene to collect evidence that will help them avoid paying or limit the amount that they pay for any deaths or injuries that were caused by the accident.  These individuals will be taking photos and video of key evidence that will help absolve their client of liability as well as attempting to take recorded statements of key witnesses in an attempt to lock in crucial testimony from witnesses.

Even though law enforcement professionals also investigate serious wrecks, their primary purposes at the accident scene is to get people to safety, protect people from other traffic, and to clear the accident scene for traffic to resume to move and flow.  Sometimes these law enforcement professionals do an excellent job of accident investigation and can easily determine the cause of the collision or accident.  At other times, they do incomplete interviews; accept the story of one or more biased witnesses; are influenced by the trucking company or insurance company's representatives; or are too busy getting the survivors of the collision to safety, clearing the debris & vehicles, dealing with tow truck drivers, and directing traffic to properly investigate the scene of an accident.   

If possible, it is typically useful to have your own experienced accident investigator at the scene of the accident to observe the accident scene; take photographs and video of the debris, vehicles, & skid marks; and make a list of all potential witnesses with contact information.  Whether this person is a family member, friend, truck accident lawyer, off duty police officer, or other competent person that you can trust, it is often important to have someone that can properly investigate the accident scene as close to the time of the accident as possible. For the experienced accident investigator, it is useful to have working cameras, measuring tape, a reflective vest, business cards, tape recorder, and a note book or device to take names, addresses and other information.

The experienced accident investigator will carefully search for not only obvious skid marks, drop offs, crush damage, and contact points, but also for inconspicuous clues such as damage to all vehicles, damage to guard rails, scuffs, scratches, and dried liquids.  Carefully documenting and measuring this crucial evidence can be extremely important in proving liability in a fatal collision or catastrophic injury accident case.   

Like preserving wreckage and data recorders, it is important to make sure that crucial documents are preserved and obtained from all vehicle owners and drivers involved in the collision.  Documents including key maintenance records, driver logs, communications with drivers, delivery schedules, driving records, police reports, witness statements, photographs, driver safety training materials, truck owner's and operator's manual, accident investigations, and medical records can all provide crucial information regarding the cause of a truck collision.

Therefore, after a fatal accident or catastrophic injury accident, a preservation letter is often needed to preserve crucial documents that can prove fault in a truck accident or commercial vehicle collision.  A letter/notice should have language regarding spoliation of evidence and instruct the potentially at fault parties to preserve all relevant documents and information concerning the accident

Monday, April 28, 2014

Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawyer: Several Diabetes Drugs Have Been Linked to an Increased Risk of Cancer by Diabetes and Cancer Lawyer Jason Coomer

Diabetes Drug Cancer Risk Lawyer: Several Diabetes Drugs Have Been Linked to an Increased Risk of Cancer by Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

Several diabetes drugs have been linked to an increased risk of cancer including pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, and bladder cancer.  People taking diabetic medications should be aware of this increased cancer risk and discuss the cancer risk of any diabetic medications that they are taking with their medical provider.  Further, anyone that has been diagnosed with cancer after taking diabetic medications should report the cancer diagnosis to their physician and the FDA.

Drug Manufacturers Fail to Warn of Increased Cancer Risk

Despite being aware of the increased risk of cancer, some drug manufacturers have failed to warn about potential cancer risks.  In fact, some of the drug manufacturers have intentional hid cancer risks to increase sales of their diabetes drugs.  These drug manufacturers have determined that keeping their market share of the $50 billion dollar per year diabetic drug market is more important than warning diabetics and their physicians about the risk of cancer.

Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawsuits

Several Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawsuits have been filed.  More specifically, the following diabetes drug cases are being reviewed: Actos, Januvia, Janument, Victoza, Byetta, Onglyza, Tradjenta, Bydureon, and Oseni.  If you have been taking a diabetes drug and have been diagnosed with cancer or you have lost a loved one that was taking a diabetes drug and that loved one was diagnosed with cancer, please feel free to contact Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer.  

Pancreatic Cancer Detection: Understanding and Identifying Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer Can Be Important In Early Detection and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer Resulting in Higher Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rates

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.

Bladder Cancer Detection and Symptoms

Bladder cancers are classified, or staged, based on their aggressiveness and how much they differ from the surrounding bladder tissue. There are several different ways to stage tumors. Recently, the TNM (Tumor, Nodes, Metastasis) staging system has become common. This staging system categorizes tumors using the following scale:

Stage 0 -- Noninvasive tumors that are only in the bladder lining

Stage I -- Tumor goes through the bladder lining, but does not reach the muscle layer of the bladder

Stage II -- Tumor goes into the muscle layer of the bladder

Stage III -- Tumor goes past the muscle layer into tissue surrounding the bladder

Stage IV -- Tumor has spread to neighboring lymph nodes or to distant sites (metastatic disease)

Bladder cancer can metastasize or spread by extending into the nearby organs or through the lymph nodes.  It can spread into the Prostate, Rectum, Ureters, Uterus, Vagina, Bones, Liver, and Lungs.

Bladder cancer can manifest through many different symptoms.  Most of these symptoms can also occur with non-cancerous conditions. However, if you have these symptoms and a suspect bladder cancer, it is important to get evaluated by a qualified medical doctor to determine, if you may have bladder cancer.  Some of these symptoms include: 1) Blood in the urine, 2) Painful urination, 3) Urinary frequency, 4) Urinary urgency, 5) Abdominal pain, 6) Anemia, 7) Bone pain or tenderness, 8) Lethargy or fatigue, 9) Urinary incontinence, and 10) Weight loss.

Testing for bladder cancer can include performing 1) a physical examination, including a rectal and pelvic exam, 2) Abdominal CT scan, 3) Bladder biopsy (usually performed during cystoscopy), 4) Cystoscopy (examining the inside of the bladder with a camera), 5) Intravenous pyelogram - IVP, 6) Urinalysis, and 7) Urine cytology.

There are several types of treatment for bladder cancer.  The selection of treatment for bladder cancer will vary depending on the patient, health care provider, and stage of bladder cancer. In Stages 0 and I, surgery is usually performed to remove the tumor without removing the rest of the bladder.  Also, chemotherapy or immunotherapy can be applied directly into the bladder.  People with stage 0 or I bladder cancer can be treated with transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB). This surgical procedure is performed under general or spinal anesthesia. A cutting instrument is inserted through the urethra to remove the bladder tumor.

In Stages II and III treatment, chemotherapy can be used to shrink the tumor before surgery, then surgery can be performed to remove the entire bladder (radical cystectomy) or surgery can be performed to remove only part of the bladder, followed by radiation and chemotherapy.  For bladder cancer patients that cannot have surgery or choose not to have surgery, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation can be used.

Many people with stage II or III bladder cancer may need to have their bladder removed (radical cystectomy). Partial bladder removal may be performed in some patients. Removal of part of the bladder is usually followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy to help decrease the chances of the cancer returning. Patients who have the entire bladder removed will receive chemotherapy after surgery to decrease the risk of the cancer coming back.

Radical cystectomy in men usually involves removing the bladder, prostate, and seminal vesicles. In women, the urethra, uterus, and the front wall of the vagina are removed along with the bladder. Often, the pelvic lymph nodes are also removed during the surgery to be examined in the laboratory.

A urinary diversion surgery (a surgical procedure to create an alternate method for urine storage) is usually done with radical cystectomy. Two common types of urinary diversion are an ileal conduit and a continent urinary reservoir.  An ileal conduit is a small urine reservoir that is surgically created from a small segment of bowel. The ureters that drain urine from the kidneys are attached to one end of the bowel segment. The other end is brought out through an opening in the skin (a stoma). The stoma allows the patient to drain the collected urine out of the reservoir. People who have had an ileal conduit need to wear a urine collection appliance outside their body at all times.  A continent urinary reservoir is an alternate method of storing urine. A segment of colon is removed. It is used to create an internal pouch to store urine.

This surgery is becoming more common in patients undergoing cystectomy. A segment of bowel is folded over to make a pouch (a neobladder, which means "new bladder"). Then it is attached to the place in the urethra where the urine normally empties from the bladder. This procedure allows patients to maintain some normal urinary control. However, there are complications (including urine leakage at night). Urination is usually not the same as it was before surgery.

Unfortunately, for most patients with stage IV tumors, the bladder cancer cannot be cured and surgery will not appropriate. In these stage IV bladder cancer patients, chemotherapy is often considered.

 

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Texas Cancer Lawyer Represents Cancer Survivors and Families of Deceased Cancer Victims Who Took Defective Diabetes Drugs by Texas Cancer Lawyer

Texas Cancer Lawyer Represents Cancer Survivors And Families of Deceased Cancer Victims Who Have Lost Loved Ones From Defective Diabetes Drugs That Cause Cancer including Bladder Cancer, Thyroid Cancer, and Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits by Texas Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

S
everal diabetes drugs have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.  These drugs have been linked to bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, and pancreatic cancer.  If you are a diabetic who has been taking prescribed diabetic drugs and have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, thyroid cancer, or pancreatic cancer, it is important that you report the cancer and the diabetes drugs that you have been taking to your treating physicians and to the FDA.  If you have lost a family member to cancer and believe the cancer death was related to use of a defective diabetes drug, it is important to make sure that the death is properly investigated and properly reported to the FDA.  For questions about a defective diabetes drug cancer lawsuit, please feel free to send an e-mail message to Texas Cancer Lawyer Jason Coomer or go to the following web page: Texas Cancer Lawyer.

As an Actos Bladder Cancer Lawyer and Actos Cancer Death Lawyer, Jason S. Coomer Works With People That Have Taken The Diabetes Drug Actos and Have Bladder Cancer As Well as Families That Have Lost a Family Member Who Was Taking Actos to Bladder Cancer

Actos has been prescribed to more than 10 million Americans since its approval for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.  The popular diabetes drug, Actos, manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co, has been linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and has been pulled off the market in some European countries.  Actos is now under review by the FDA to determine if it will be pulled from the market or additional black box warnings will be added to the drug.

Actos is a diabetes drug with global sales of approximately $4.8 Billion each year. Recent scientific evidence has recently shown that the Diabetes Drug Actos may cause an increased risk of bladder cancer.  If you have suffered bladder cancer or have lost a person that you love from bladder cancer and you or your loved one was taking Actos, please feel free to e-mail Texas Actos Bladder Cancer Lawyer Jason Coomer with your name & contact information or use our online form for a free case evaluation.

As an Actos Bladder Cancer Lawyer, Jason S. Coomer, helps families that have lost a family member from bladder cancer.  For more information on this topic, please go to the following web page on Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuits.

As a Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer and Janument Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer Works with Cancer Survivors as well as Widows, Widowers, Children, and other Surviving Family Members That Have Lost a Loved One From Pancreatic Cancer Who Was Taking Januvia or Janumet

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, please report the adverse action to the prescribing medical doctor as soon as possible.

As an Januvia Cancer Death Lawyer, Jason S. Coomer, helps families that have lost a family member from cancer including pancreatic cancer.  For more information on this topic, please go to the following web page on Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits and Janumet Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits.
As a Victoza Cancer Lawyer Jason Coomer Works with Cancer Survivors and Families That Have Lost A Loved One From Cancer While Taking Victoza by Texas Victoza Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer, Victoza Cancer Lawyer, Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawyer, and Victoza Pancreas Cancer Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

 The consumer group, Public Citizen, has filed a petition with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting that the agency immediately remove the diabetes drug, Vicoza, from the market the increasingly prescribed diabetes drug Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection) because it puts patients at higher risk of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions and kidney failure that outweigh any documented clinical benefits.  Public Citizen claims that the diabetes drug, Victoza, has a number of possible side effects including pancreatic cancer. This side effect is extremely dangerous, because once a person has pancreatic cancer and that cancer spreads, a patient stands just a 1.8% chance of surviving for longer than five years.

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 Victoza or another diabetes drug, please report the adverse action to the prescribing medical doctor as soon as possible.  For more Victoza Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit, Victoza Cancer Death Lawsuit, or Diabetes Drug Pancreas Cancer Lawsuit information, please feel free to contact Victoza Pancreatic Cancer Lawyer, Victoza Diabetes Drug Cancer Lawyer, and Victoza Pancreas Cancer Death Lawyer Jason Coomer a Texas lawyer, or use our online submission form.

For more information on this topic, please go to the following web page on Victoza Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuits and Victoza Cancer Death Lawsuits.