A bladder tumor is three times more common in men then in women. Now, since the FDA warned about an increased risk of bladder tumor side effects with diabetes drug Actos, more men and women are concerned about possibly having a bladder tumor. How do you know if you may be affected?
What is a Bladder Tumor?
A bladder tumor is a collection of fast-growing cells somewhere in the bladder. The second most common type of reproductive or urinary tract tumor, it typically attacks the lining of the bladder, and can be either cancerous or non-cancerous (benign). Benign tumors typically do not spread, whereas cancerous tumors can spread to other tissues, organs, and the lymph nodes.
Treatment usually involves removing the tumor and perhaps a section of the bladder with it. Chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapies may also be used to be sure all cancer cells are killed. Caught early, a bladder tumor can often be treated completely, with a 90 percent rate of 5-year survival.
What are Bladder Tumor Symptoms?
The most common bladder cancer symptom is blood in the urine, though it doesn’t always indicate a bladder tumor. (Less than one in 1,000 cases of blood in the urine indicate a bladder tumor.) Other symptoms include the need to urinate more often, sudden urges to urinate, pain and burning during urination, and urinary tract infections. Other bladder tumor symptoms may include back pain, pelvic pain, unexplained weight loss, and swelling in the legs.
What are Bladder Tumor Side Effects?
Aside from the typical bladder tumor symptoms, other bladder tumor side effects may linger after treatment. Bladder tumor side effects from chemotherapy can include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. Bladder tumor side effects from surgery depend on the surgery. Men may experience erectile dysfunction if the bladder is removed. Side effects from radiation may include pain or discomfort when urinating, and bladder inflammation and scarring. Immunotherapies may also cause side effects like fever, joint pain, and prostate inflammation.
Women may also experience bladder tumor side effects like menopause (if they have the bladder removed), and men who have to have the prostate glands removed may no longer be able to produce semen.
A Bladder Tumor Lawyer May be Able to Help
If you or a loved one has suffered a bladder tumor as a result of using Actos, you may be eligible for compensation in a bladder tumor lawsuit. Contact Chaffin Luhana LLP today for a confidential case evaluation at 1-888-480-1123.
