Pancreatic Cancer in the Limelight

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Recent news and reports of adverse reactions related to treatments with type-2 diabetes drugs have put pancreatic cancer in the limelight once again. Lawsuits flood courtrooms of victims developing thyroid cancer and pancreatic cancer alleging that manufacturing and marketing companies have failed to warn patients of the potential for adverse reactions. However, the extreme nature of pancreatic cancer makes this misinformation and poor decision-making on behalf of marketers of incretin mimetic medications such as Byetta and Januvia both disturbing and catastrophic.

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

Cancer or carcinoma is caused by an abnormal over-growth of cells within the body. Pancreatic cancer occurs as out-of-control cell development beginning in pancreatic tissue. These cancerous cells divide and create lumps or tumors within the organ. Pancreatic cancer can develop as two different types of carcinoma:

  • adenocarcinomas which attacks glandular tissue and larger tissues of organs
  • pancreatic neuroendrocrine tumors (pNET) which are tumors of the pancreas which may be removed and range from benign to malignant tumors; persons with pNET generally have a higher survival rate than adenocarcinomas

Early stages of pancreatic generally do not present many symptoms. Because of this, pancreatic cancer may be one of the most difficult diseases to treat since it is usually caught in its late stages. Data from the American Cancer Society indicates that only 23% of patients with pancreatic cancer survive for longer than a year.

patrick swayzeSwayze and Jobs’ Struggles with Pancreatic Cancer

Two of the greatest testimonies of the tragedy of pancreatic cancer lie in the stories of Patrick Swayze and Steve Jobs‘ battles with the disease. While celebrities have practically infinite resources to keep them healthy, the deaths of Swayze and Jobs indicate the severity of pancreatic cancers.

American actor and star of the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing”, Patrick Swayze was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in January of 2008. Doctors believed that Swayze would have only 5 months to live. However, as Swayze responded well to chemotherapy and treatments involving gemcitabine, his life was prolongued by several months. Swayze became an inspiration to all as he continued his active lifestyle. In an interview he stated that he did not want to “chase staying alive” and explained “I wanna live”. After coping with pancreatic for about 20 months following the diagnosis, Swayze passed away on September 14, 2009.

More recently, pancreatic cancer took the life of former Apple Inc. CEO, Steve Jobs. This visionary had been diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendrocrine tumors (pNET) and began undergoing surgeries and therapies to treat his condition in 2004. Jobs took a leave of absence in 2009 in order to have a liver transplant as an attempt to restore his health and chance for survival. However, this transplant had suppressed the function of his immune system, causing further implications. Jobs would continue fighting and working for two years after receiving the transplant, even introducing the iPad which would be sold to 25 million customers under his position as CEO.

steve jobs pancreatic cancerDespite his triumphs, Jobs began to rapidly succumb to the effects of pancreatic cancer in late 2011. “I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately that day has come.” said Jobs as he resigned from his position.  Unfortunately, months later on October 5, 2011, Steve Jobs died from “complications of pancreatic cancer“.

 Pancreatic Cancer Today

Doctors explain that pancreatic may be one of the most serious and malignant types of cancer. For this very reason, issues of type-2 diabetes medications potentially causing pancreatic carcinomas to develop have become a huge concern. Read more about how Januvia (sitagliptin) and Byetta (exenatide) may encourage cancerous growths, medical lawsuits, and information at bad-drug.net.

If you or a loved one has experienced severe side effects or has developed pancreatic cancer related to an incretin mimetic medication, complete our “Request Attorney Assistance” form to get the compensation you deserve.

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