Pancreatic cancer symptoms are often mild or nonexistent until the cancer has spread. When symptoms appear, they may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin), itching, abdominal pain, weight loss, unexplained diabetes, and more.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Byetta induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Byetta and Pancreatic Cancer
Byetta already carries warnings about pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), but it does not carry warnings about pancreatic cancer. Recently, a study published in Gastroenterology in July 2011 linked Byetta to a 3-fold increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The FDA asked drug-makers to study the risk of pancreatic cancer from Byetta in 2009. In March 2013, the FDA began investigating several concerning studies. One study found evidence of pre-cancerous growths called microadenomas in the pancreas of a person who used Byetta for at least a year.
What is the Pancreas?
The pancreas is a digestive gland that is located in the upper-abdomen behind the stomach. The organ is very important for digestion and metabolism. It secretes powerful digestive enzymes into the stomach, which break down food and release nutrients that the body can absorb. The pancreas also secretes hormones that regulate metabolism, such as insulin, which tells cells to absorb blood-sugar after a person eats a meal.
Symptoms May Include Blood-Sugar Problems
The first symptoms of pancreatic cancer often involve digestive and metabolic side effects. In people with diabetes, blood-sugar levels may be harder to control. However, because diabetes often causes high blood-sugar, this symptom of pancreatic cancer is often ignored. This is one reason why people with diabetes are rarely diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in its early stages.
Symptoms Rarely Appear in Early Stages
Pancreatic cancer has a very high mortality rate because symptoms rarely appear until it has already spread (metastasized). Byetta users should be vigilant for symptoms of pancreatic cancer and have them evaluated by a physician as soon as possible. Even if the symptoms are not pancreatic cancer, they should still be evaluated.
Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
- Abdominal or belly pain
- Back pain
- Weight loss
- Jaundice (yellow skin and/or eyes)
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Itching
- Malaise (generally feeling ill or tired)
- Decreased appetite
- Diabetes
- High blood-sugar (if the pancreas is not producing insulin)
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Pale or clay-colored stools, which may have an odd or strong smell
- Dark urine
More Information
- Causes of pancreatic cancer
- Complications of pancreatic cancer
- Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
- Treatment for pancreatic cancer
Do I have a Byetta Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Byetta induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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