Propecia Litigation

by admin on February 14th, 2012

Merck Pharmaceuticals updated the warning label on Propecia (generic name finasteride) in 2011 to reflect the risk of Propecia side effects involving male breast cancer. Propecia litigation is currently ongoing with men continuing to file claims for permanent erectile dysfunction and breast cancer. Up until that point, the omission of the disease from the U.S. label represented a discrepancy with the information listed on the label used in Europe. But Merck was adding information that studies had exposed years earlier. One in particular, titled “Male Breast Cancer During Finasteride Therapy,” had been published in the February 2004 issue of the Journal of the National Institute. The researchers found a connection between exposure to finasteride and breast cancer in men.

Men who have developed the disease after using the hair loss treatment may have grounds to file Propecia lawsuit claims against Merck. Male breast cancer, like all types of cancer, is potentially fatal. While it is rare, those who develop it must often undergo a complete mastectomy, even when cancer cells are discovered early.

Why Removal Of A Portion Of The Breast Is Not Enough

When women develop breast cancer, a lumpectomy can often be performed to eliminate the tumor. This is a procedure in which the tumor, along with a small portion of healthy tissue surrounding it, are removed. Much of the patient’s breast tissue is left intact. There are cosmetic issues following surgery, but the woman is able to retain much of the affected breast.

A lumpectomy is rarely an option for those who have developed Propecia side effects involving male breast cancer. A man has less breast tissue than a woman, which allows diseased cells to spread more quickly. By the time the disease is detected, a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) is usually necessary to curb its spread.

If the tumor is caught before it has spread to the nipple, the surgeon may be able to remove it, and leave most of the breast intact. However, this rarely happens. The cancer usually reaches the nipple during the first or second stage of metastasis.

When A Mastectomy Is Necessary

There are three main types of mastectomy available for men: simple, modified radical, and radical mastectomy. Earlier, we defined a simple mastectomy as the removal of the entire breast. This includes the nipple. It is a relatively simple procedure, partly because it does not involve removal of the lymph nodes under the arm.

In a modified radical mastectomy, the incision made by the surgeon to access the tumor continues past the breast to the underarm. Here, the goal is to not only remove the breast, but also the axillary lymph nodes and fatty tissue surrounding it.

In some cases, the tumor metastasizes into the pectoralis major and minor muscles of the chest. At this point, a radical mastectomy becomes necessary. In addition to the breast, axillary lymph nodes, and fatty tissue, the chest muscles are also removed.

Breast Reconstruction Following A Mastectomy

Because a mastectomy results in severe scarring and loss of tissue, many men elect to undergo breast reconstruction following the procedure. The purpose is to restore the chest’s appearance once the breast has been removed. This can be accomplished with implants or natural tissue. If natural tissue is used, it is typically taken from the patient’s abdomen via a procedure called the TRAM flap.

It is important to highlight that breast reconstruction does not reduce the likelihood that male breast cancer will recur (if the patient continues to use the hair loss pill). Nor does it make finding a new tumor more difficult. Lastly, although the breast’s appearance is usually markedly improved, reconstruction will not restore sensation to the breast or nipple.

Although very few cases of male breast cancer are reported, the condition is very serious. The 5-year survival rates at each stage of the cancer’s growth are similar to those for women. In addition, men rarely check their breasts for lumps. This means the disease often spreads and reaches the chest muscles before it is detected.

If you have used the hair loss pill, and were later diagnosed with breast cancer, you may be able to file a Propecia lawsuit claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Propecia lawyer to discuss your case and the latest Propecia litigation news.