The high risk of transvaginal mesh complications first attracted widespread attention in 2008. Although there were reports of problems, it wasn’t until that year that the Food and Drug Administration issued a formal public health notification about them. Prior to its announcement, the agency had received over 1,000 reports of health issues suffered by women as a result of their vaginal mesh surgeries.

In 2011, a second warning was announced. The FDA disclosed that pelvic mesh complications, such as vaginal pain and recurring infections, were “not rare.” It also revealed that transvaginal placement of the devices was associated with serious problems not previously reported. One example was mesh contraction, an issue that can cause severe pelvic pain. There have since been over 650 vaginal mesh lawsuit claims filed across the U.S. Many more women are expected to come forward in order to seek recourse for their injuries.

Reasons Transvaginal Mesh Is Implanted

Mesh has been used for a few applications since the 1950s. It was first implanted to correct abdominal hernias. This is still done today though the surgical techniques and devices used have undergone significant changes.

Gynecologists began implanting surgical mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the 1970s. POP occurs when the pelvic muscles and ligaments weaken to the point that they can no longer support the organs in the pelvis. The bladder, rectum, uterus, or small bowel fall and press against the wall of the vagina.

Mesh devices were first used to repair stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in the 1990s. SUI occurs when the muscles that control the flow of urine from the bladder weaken. This causes involuntary urine leaks.

Back then, surgeons took mesh designed for hernias, and cut them into shapes that would fit the anatomies of their patients’ pelvises. The devices were installed through incisions made into the abdomen. The FDA cleared the first SUI-only surgical mesh in 1996. It cleared the first POP-only device in 2002. It was after that point that manufacturers began designing kits in earnest to support the transvaginal placement of mesh for POP and SUI.

Complications Prompt A Surge In Bladder Sling Lawsuits

Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2010, the FDA received 3,979 reports of complications. The number is likely much higher today, especially given the FDA’s 2011 safety warning. Women who have undergone transvaginal mesh surgery for POP and SUI have complained about numerous problems that developed after their operations.

For example, most have experienced some degree of vaginal or pelvic pain. It may present primarily during sexual intercourse (known as dyspareunia), or persist throughout each day. Many women have also suffered from a problem called mesh erosion; the device begins to move through the vaginal tissue, causing severe pain. In many cases, it surfaces in the vaginal canal and causes pain for the woman’s sexual partners.

Recurrent urinary tract infections, vaginal scarring, and even neuromuscular disorders have been reported to the FDA. Additionally, as noted earlier, some women have experienced mesh contraction, a problem in which the device shrinks following implantation. It has been linked to vaginal shortening and severe pain.

How Many Women Are Affected By Surgical Mesh Complications?

The precise number of women affected by transvaginal mesh complications is unknown. Many have undergone surgery to have mesh implanted through the vaginal wall, and not yet experienced problems. But erosion, contraction, and other issues may occur years down the road.

To place the scope of the issue in context, the FDA reported that 75,000 women underwent vaginal mesh surgery to repair pelvic organ prolapse in 2010. An additional 208,000 women underwent similar procedures to repair stress urinary incontinence during the same year. There is a substantial level of exposure, although failure rates for each device currently for sale have not been published.

These problems are sufficiently widespread to have spurred the FDA to consider reclassifying transvaginal mesh as a Class III medical device (it is currently a Class II device). This classification would require manufacturers to submit their devices to clinical testing prior to being cleared for sale.

If you underwent transvaginal placement of surgical mesh, and have suffered from vaginal bleeding, infection, pain, and other side effects, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced vaginal mesh lawsuit lawyer to discuss your case and for the latest bladder sling recall updates.

Treatment for breast cancer in men is similar to that given to women with the disease. If the tumor is localized in the breast tissue, it can often be resolved through surgery (a mastectomy). Once the cancer has spread to other areas of the body, systemic treatment through chemotherapy becomes necessary. Below, we’ll describe some of the side effects caused by the chemo medicines, and explain why they occur. Men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer after using finasteride may be eligible to file a Propecia lawsuit claim against Merck Pharmaceuticals.

When Is Chemo Given For Male Breast Cancer?

Chemotherapy is given in nearly all cases of male breast cancer. The exception is when the patient is unable to tolerate the drugs. Use of the chemo medicines varies by circumstance.

As noted earlier, localized tumors can be treated successfully with surgery. But removing a tumor from the patient’s breast does not guarantee his body is clean of cancer cells. As early as stage IB, the diseased cells can sometimes be found in the lymph nodes. This allows them to travel throughout the lymph system. Chemotherapy is given after surgery to ensure all remaining cancer cells in the body have been killed or neutralized. The treatment is called adjuvant therapy.

Doctors will also administer chemo medicines in an attempt to shrink tumors in the breast prior to surgery. Doing so makes them easier to remove. In some cases, a malignancy may be so large that it cannot be surgically excised unless the drugs are given to shrink it beforehand. Here, the treatment is referred to as neoadjuvant therapy.

When the diseased cells have spread beyond the breast tissue (i.e. metastatic male breast cancer), systemic chemotherapy is given as the primary treatment. Surgery is still performed to remove the breast and axillary lymph nodes, but is considered adjuvant therapy.

Common Side Effects Caused By Chemotherapy

Many of the side effects associated with chemo drugs affect the gastrointestinal tract. For example, the patient might experience nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. He may also develop mouth ulcers.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy might also experience hair loss, persistent aches and pains throughout their bodies, and a general feeling of fatigue. This latter symptom can last for months, even if the patient gets sufficient sleep, eats well, and avoids strenuous activity.

Many patients develop a greater susceptibility to infections during, and immediately following, chemotherapy. This is due to a low white blood cell count. Additionally, low platelet counts can lead to excessive bruising.

Why Chemo For Male Breast Cancer Causes Side Effects

The drugs given for chemotherapy are designed to target cells that divide more quickly than normal. Once they have been identified, the diseased cells are altered, either to kill them or stop their growth. Although this mechanism is an effective approach for eliminating cancer cells, it can also damage healthy cells in certain parts of the body.

Normal cells in the gastrointestinal tract – including the stomach, bowels, and esophagus – divide at a faster rate than those found elsewhere in the body. This is also true of the cells in the hair follicles. Chemo medicines target and damage them, which causes side effects. Once therapy is stopped, the growth of normal cells resumes, causing the side effects to dissipate.

Nearly all cases of male breast cancer are treated with chemotherapy, either as an adjuvant, neoadjuvant, or primary treatment. Primary therapy is necessary once the diseased cells have metastasized beyond the breast.

If you have used the hair loss treatment Propecia, and later developed breast cancer or suffer from permanent erectile dysfuntion, you may be able to file a claim for compensation for your injuries. Contact an experienced Propecia lawsuit attorney to discuss your legal options.

The FDA issued a warning in 2011 to caution women considering vaginal mesh surgery for POP and SUI repair. The procedure was associated with substantial risk. Since then, hundreds of women have filed surgical mesh lawsuit claims against the manufacturers of the mesh devices found to be problematic.

Below, we’ll describe the effects of mesh erosion as the device moves through the vaginal wall. You’ll also learn about less common, but arguably more serious, types of erosion.

Side Effects Of Vaginal Mesh Erosion

Many of the pelvic mesh complications reported by the FDA in 2011 stem from vaginal erosion. As the device migrates through the wall of the vagina, it causes severe pain and bleeding. The patient may also develop infections of the vaginal mucosa as well as the urinary tract.

It is possible for the pelvic mesh to move so far through the vaginal tissue that a portion of it appears in the vaginal canal. In addition to causing pain for the woman during sex, it may also cause pain for her sexual partner.

In July 2011, the FDA published a report titled “Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh: Update on the Safety and Effectiveness of Transvaginal Placement for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.” In this report, it noted that data from studies examining nearly 12,000 women showed that approximately 10 percent of them experienced mesh erosion after vaginal placement of the device. Moreover, it was found that the problem typically occurred within the first year of surgery.

In the past, the FDA has strongly encouraged companies to withdraw their medical devices after posting failure rates that were lower than 10 percent. Despite this, there are no surgical mesh recalls currently pending.

Mesh Erosion Into The Bladder And Rectum

On occasion, the surgical mesh will erode into the prolapsed organ. For example, if the patient undergoes surgery to repair a cystocele (prolapsed bladder), the device may migrate into the tissue of the bladder. This can cause additional urinary tract infections, blood in the urine, and even the development of a fistula between the bladder and vagina. A fistula will allow the drainage of urine into the vagina.

If the patient undergoes transvaginal mesh surgery for a rectocele (prolapsed rectum), the device may erode into the wall of the rectum. In addition to causing rectal bleeding and pain, it might also cause a fistula to form. Here, a fistula will allow stool to drain from the rectum into the vagina, causing serious infection.

Surgical Intervention To Correct Transvaginal Mesh Erosion

If the pelvic mesh erodes through the vaginal tissue, or into the bladder or rectum, the device needs to be removed. With vaginal erosion, removal and repair of the tissue may be possible transvaginally. With bladder or rectal erosion, removal and repair is performed through abdominal incisions.

The FDA noted in its 2011 safety warning that some incidents of mesh erosion required multiple surgeries to correct. There were also cases reported by women in which the device could not be removed from the vaginal tissue. The surgeon is usually forced to remove a portion of the mesh, typically the piece that has protruded into the vaginal canal. The remaining part of the device can be expected to continue working its way through the tissue, causing infection and eventually requiring subsequent surgeries.

Nearly 75,000 women underwent transvaginal placement of mesh for POP repair in 2010. Over 200,000 women did so for SUI repair in the same year. These women expected to be relieved of their symptoms, and instead were burdened with one or more serious vaginal mesh complications.

If you received a mesh implant and have suffered erosion of the device or other problems, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Contact a vaginal mesh lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your legal options and for the latest surgery mesh recall updates.

The most recent study by Dr. Michael Irwig titled “Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride: Could They Be Permanent?” concluded: “Men who developed persistent sexual and other side effects lasting for at least 3 months continue to have a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction…”.

A study titled “Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride for Male Pattern Hair Loss” was published in the June 2011 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine. It showed that signs of sexual dysfunction persisted in some men after use of finasteride was discontinued. At this point, there is no Propecia class action lawsuit in effect in the U.S. However, individual cases have been filed in Washington and Florida. More are expected.

Below, we’ll explain how this hair loss drug is believed to cause long-term erectile dysfunction. We’ll also describe how the condition is diagnosed (its cause is not always obvious), and provide a summary of the methods used to treat it.

Why Does Propecia Cause Impotence In Some Men?

Finasteride, the active agent in Propecia, is known as a 5-alpha reductase (5a-R) inhibitor. 5a-R is a natural enzyme involved in steroid metabolism; it converts testosterone into the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a more powerful form of testosterone.

The conversion takes place in several areas of the body, including the hair follicles. The presence of DHT causes the follicles to shrink, limiting hair growth. By inhibiting the action of 5a-R, finasteride can prevent testosterone from being converted into dihydrotestosterone. This allows hair to grow thicker and longer.

Since DHT is a potent male sex hormone, preventing its synthesis in the body can lead to erectile dysfunction as well as other sexual side effects. However, it has yet to be discovered why these symptoms persist in some men after the drug is discontinued.

Steps To Diagnosing Erectile Dysfunction

An inability to achieve an erection may be due to a number of factors in addition to hormonal changes caused by finasteride. Nerve damage, vascular injury, and stress can each play a role. Doctors begin the process of diagnosing the condition by asking the patient questions about past medical conditions, lifestyle habits (e.g. smoking), and how the disorder presents.

Next, a physical exam is conducted. The doctor will note whether the penis is sensitive to touch; a lack of response may imply nerve damage. There may also be signs of limited blood flow, suggesting an issue in the vascular system.

Numerous blood tests are ordered to examine the level of glucose, cholesterol, and various hormones in the patient’s bloodstream. X-rays and ultrasound are performed to look for abnormalities. The patient may also be asked to undergo an overnight erection test. A special tape is wrapped around the penis to determine whether erections occur during sleep. If they do, the cause of the patient’s inability to achieve an erection is considered to be psychological.

Can Permanent Propecia Side Effects Be Treated?

Treatment for ED follows the diagnosis. For example, if the patient is experiencing severe stress, psychotherapy may be an appropriate option. If there are signs of reduced blood flow through the penis, surgical reconstruction may be warranted. If hypertension is an issue, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers may be given to reduce it.

Oral medications, such as Levitra and Viagra, often prove useful, though they merely prolong the duration of erections rather than cause them to occur. By contrast, penile injections and suppositories can trigger erections by delivering the drug alprostadil to the penile tissues.

A penis pump can be used to mechanically draw blood into the penis, thereby encouraging an erection. Another option is to install penile implants. They are surgically placed along the shaft of the penis to inflate on demand, allowing the patient to influence the timing and duration of an erection.

Although there are many treatment options available to address permanent erectile dysfunction, men should never have been forced to seek them. Merck should have warned them about the risk of long-term sexual side effects.

If you have suffered from persistent Propecia and erectile dysfunction, diminished sex drive, or decreased semen production, you may be eligible to file a claim against Merck Pharmaceuticals. Contact a Propecia lawsuit lawyer to discuss your case and for the latest Propecia study side effects news.

Reported cases of cancer stemming from sitagliptin are rare. Most of the attention has thus far been focused on dozens of cases of acute pancreatitis, a serious condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed. Patients who have developed either disease and suspect Januvia to be the cause are encouraged to contact an experienced Januvia lawsuit attorney to discuss pursuing compensation.

Below, we’ll explain how pancreatic cancer is treated for each of its three developmental categories: resectable, locally advanced unresectable, and metastatic cancer. It is worth noting that this form of cancer is accompanied by one of the highest mortality rates among all types of malignancies.

Treating Resectable Januvia Pancreatic Cancer Side Effects

Removing tumors via surgery provides the best chance for long-term survival. Thus, once the condition has been diagnosed, patients should be screened to determine whether masses in the pancreas qualify for surgical removal. If surgery is an option, the approach used will depend on the location of the tumors.

When the cancer is located within the head of the pancreas – the portion that lies near the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine – the Whipple procedure is performed. Several structures are removed. The surgeon will resect the pancreatic head as well as the gallbladder, duodenum, and a section of the common bile duct. These latter structures are removed due to their close proximity to the pancreas and exposure to diseased cells. Following their removal, the surgeon must reconnect the remaining portions of the small intestine, pancreas, and bile duct.

If the cancer is found in the body or tail of the pancreas, the Whipple procedure cannot be used. Instead, a distal pancreatectomy is performed. This is an operation during which the bottom portion of the pancreas is excised. The remaining border is then sutured to prevent the escape of pancreatic secretions.

Sometimes, tumors are found in both the body and tail of the pancreas. When this is the case, the bottom half of the organ is usually removed, along with the spleen (i.e. splenectomy).

Treating Locally Advanced Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer

This stage of development is defined by the spread of cancer cells beyond the pancreas into nearby structures, but not to distant sites. It corresponds to stage III pancreatic cancer. Because the disease often develops without symptoms, a large number of cases are detected after it has reached this point of metastasis.

Surgery is no longer a curative option, though it may be performed to help relieve certain symptoms (e.g. back pain). Instead, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are administered. The former is introduced as a systemic treatment; the drugs used spread throughout the body via the bloodstream. The latter therapy is more targeted; the radiation treatments are directed at the sites of tumor growth.

Occasionally, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can shrink a tumor to the point that it may be removed with surgery. But more commonly, both are given to eliminate diseased cells.

Treating Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer

Januvia pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to distant sites of the body can only be cured with chemotherapy. Radiation treatments may be given, but are limited in use to shrinking tumors. This stage of development is loosely defined as stage IV pancreatic cancer. The disease may have, by this point, reached the liver, lungs, bones, and brain.

Very few patients with such an advanced form of the disease make a full recovery. Only a small percentage survive longer than twelve months after treatment. The average length of survival is approximately six months. Much depends on the patient’s strength and the aggressiveness of the cancer.

Many patients who have used Januvia and were subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer claim Merck & Co. failed to adequately inform them of the risk. If Merck is legally responsible for the injuries caused by its medication, they should held accountable for them.

If you used Januvia, and later developed pancreatic cancer or acute pancreatitis, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Januvia lawsuit pancreatic cancer lawyer to discuss your case. We are representing individual and families in bringing claims against the manufacturer. There is currently not a national Januvia lawsuit class action in the United States.

Despite these dangers, the drug remains for sale. It generates revenues in excess of a half billion dollars each year for its marketers Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly. However, spurred by recent FDA warnings and research demonstrating the increased risk of cancer, some patients have considered filing Byetta lawsuit claims.

The discussion that follows will describe the study that generated concern about pancreatic cancer. You’ll also learn the reason some experts have expressed reservations about the research team’s findings.

Study Highlights 3-Fold Increase In Pancreatic Cancer Risk

As implied earlier, the possibility that use of exenatide might increase the risk of acute pancreatitis has been known for years. The warnings announced by the FDA – in 2007 and 2008 – demonstrate as much. Further, chronic pancreatitis has long been considered a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. With these facts in mind, the researchers’ findings reported in the journal Gastroenterology in 2011 come as little surprise.

The researchers, led by Dr. Peter Butler at UCLA, focused on disease outcomes stemming from the use of exenatide and another diabetes medication called sitagliptin (marketed as Januvia). The team established a baseline by noting similar outcomes associated with four control drugs. They used data found in the FDA’s adverse event reporting database derived from reports submitted between 2004 and 2009 for each of the therapies.

The researchers identified a 6-fold risk of pancreatitis associated with the use of exenatide and sitagliptin, when compared to the control drugs. Additionally, with exenatide, they found a near 3-fold risk of pancreatic cancer (sitagliptin was linked to a 2.7-fold risk of the disease).

Previous studies had been done on rats to show an increased likelihood of pancreatitis. But the UCLA study was one of the first to underscore a risk of pancreatic cancer associated with Byetta therapy. Dr. Butler was quick to remark that his group’s findings should not be considered conclusive evidence that Byetta causes pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, or acute pancreatitis. He stated, “It is important to avoid alarmism and have people stop medicines that they may be benefiting from when the risk is not yet defined.”

Reservations Regarding Findings On Byetta Pancreas Cancer

Shortly after the UCLA study was published in Gastroenterology, its findings began to draw criticism. Some experts, such as Dr. Michael Nauck of the Diabetes Center Bad Lauterberg in Harz, Germany, suggested that relying upon data extracted from the FDA database of adverse event reports was problematic. Doing so, according to Dr. Nauck, introduced reporting bias, as patients and doctors were more likely to report events that had been previously identified.

Dr. Butler countered that while the suggestion is valid, the therapies studied by his group were the only kind of their type to cause cellular replication. To demonstrate, he pointed to earlier animal studies that had shown replication in the ducts connecting the stomach and pancreas.

Nauck also noted that far more data would be needed to substantiate disease outcomes from randomized controlled trials. Calculating the true risk of pancreatic cancer would require more patients than the number used for Butler’s research. On this note Butler agreed. He commented that his group’s research “simply raises the level of concern, and appropriate prospective studies are needed.”

Do You Have A Byetta Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit?

Several patients who have used this drug to improve their glycemic control have developed cancer of the pancreas or acute pancreatitis. In cases for which there is no previous evidence of either condition, use of exenatide is suspected as the root cause. Given that possibility, these patients may be entitled to compensation for their injuries from the manufacturer.

If you were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis after using Byetta or a loved one died, you too may be eligible to file a claim. Contact a Byetta lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your legal options.

Most cases of Nuvaring side effects involving a PE are caused by blood clots that form elsewhere in the body. The most common site is the deep veins of the legs. Called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a thrombus breaks free of the vein’s wall (i.e. embolizes), and travels to the heart and lungs.

The leg veins drain into a large blood vessel called the inferior vena cava (IVC). Thrombi that have embolized from the legs travel through the IVC toward the lungs. If a patient is susceptible to clotting in the legs, and a PE is likely, a metal filter can be installed within the vena cava. The filter catches clots as they migrate to the lungs.

Clinical Evaluation For Pulmonary Embolism

Before a person can be considered a candidate for a vena cava filter, the presence of a DVT or pulmonary embolism must be confirmed. Duplex ultrasound of the legs is done to detect clots inside the deep veins. A helical computed tomography (CT) scan is done to examine the lungs.

If results from ultrasound and CT scanning are inconclusive, a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan can be performed. This is a two-step study that introduces a trace amount of radioactive material into the pulmonary arteries and air passages.

A PE may remain difficult to diagnose since symptoms are nonspecific. If the above tests fail to confirm a suspicion of thrombi in the arteries of the lungs, a pulmonary angiogram can be performed. A contrast material is delivered directly into the pulmonary arteries through a catheter. X-rays are taken to display the dye as it moves through the vessels.

While the results from pulmonary angiography are the most accurate for diagnosing a PE, the test is invasive. Moreover, it poses a risk of short-term side effects, such as an arrhythmia and kidney damage.

Why Vena Cava Filters Are Installed

Once a PE has been conclusively diagnosed, anticoagulants are given to prevent further clotting. If an obstruction in the pulmonary arteries is large, thrombolytic drugs can be administered. Known as “clot-busting” agents, these medications actively dissolve existing thrombi. In most cases, such measures can resolve the condition and restore blood flow to the lung tissue. There are circumstances, however, that require the installation of an IVC filter.

Many patients cannot tolerate anticoagulants or thrombolytic therapy due to one or more contraindications. These include existing bleeding disorders, venous or arterial trauma, or a concurrent hemorrhagic stroke. Other patients may receive these drugs, but develop complications that require therapy to be stopped. Some patients develop DVT or PE while receiving anticoagulation therapy. Each of these circumstances justify the placement of a filter within the inferior vena cava.

Potential Problems With IVC Filter Placement

Placement of the filter is performed via a catheter. A contrast dye is usually injected into the IVC to help the radiologist guide the catheter to the installation site. Once the filter has been deployed, and its position evaluated, the catheter is withdrawn. The procedure requires approximately one hour to complete.

There are several possible complications that can occur during installation. For example, the contrast dye may cause an allergic reaction; a piece of the metal filter might perforate the IVC; the filter may migrate toward the heart; or bleeding and infection may occur at the installation site. Also, the device may catch so many clots that blood flow through the vena cava becomes restricted. In this case, the filter must be removed, emptied, and redeployed.

A pulmonary embolism is a serious medical condition. In some cases, it may become life-threatening without rapid treatment. If you have suffered from abnormal clotting, DVT, PE, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawsuits attorney to discuss your legal options.

The first group of lawsuits against one of the manufacturers, Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is scheduled to be presented to a jury in November 2012. It is worth reviewing some of the reasons such cases are being pursued in the first place. Below, we’ll explain the purpose of transvaginal placement of mesh, and describe in more detail some of the problems women have suffered as a result of the procedure. You’ll also learn about two rare, but particularly serious, surgical mesh complications.

Expectations For Vaginal Placement Of Mesh For POP Repair

Mesh is surgically implanted to repair stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and various forms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). It can be placed abdominally or vaginally. The latter approach is less-invasive, and thus more popular. In order to understand how the device is used for POP repair, it is useful to be familiar with the circumstances surrounding prolapse.

The pelvic organs are held in place by a network of muscles, ligaments, and tissues. Due to many potential causes, such as multiple vaginal childbirths, obesity, or repeated heavy lifting, this support structure can weaken or become stretched. As this occurs, the level of support it offers to the pelvic organs decreases. This can cause one or more organs to fall from their positions, and bulge into the vaginal wall.

Depending on the type of prolapse (i.e. which organ has fallen), the condition may cause persistent discomfort, urinary and bowel dysfunction, and a sensation of fullness. Thus, many women seek treatment for relief.

Transvaginal placement of mesh is designed to achieve two goals. First, the medical device provides support for the vaginal tissue into which the prolapsed organ has bulged. Second, it helps to return the affected organ (or organs) to its correct place. Women understandably expect relief from the symptoms associated with POP. Unfortunately, there have been thousands of cases of surgical mesh failure.

Common Pelvic Mesh Complications Following The Procedure

The FDA first alerted the public about problems associated with the medical devices in October 2008. At the time, complications were believed to be rare, a position based on limited details provided by nine mesh manufacturers. The FDA indicated that placing mesh through the vaginal wall could result in persistent vaginal pain and recurring infection. They also noted that women may experience pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), urinary problems, and erosion of the device through the wall of the vagina.

In July 2011, the FDA issued a second alert, this time revealing a marked change in their position regarding surgical mesh placed through the vagina. Transvaginal mesh complications were now believed to be “not rare.” The agency mentioned the same problems noted in 2008 with the addition of mesh contraction. This latter issue is associated with vaginal tightening and chronic pain.

Mesh Erosion Into The Bladder And Rectum

Erosion of mesh through the wall of the vagina is serious, particularly because the device is often irretrievable. On rare occasions, mesh can also erode through the wall of the bladder or rectum. Both circumstances present serious complications. The former can cause urinary tract infection and urine drainage into the vaginal canal. The latter may also cause infection, and allow stool to drain into the vagina. Invasive surgery is required to retrieve the failed device, and repair the damaged tissue.

Many women who have undergone vaginal mesh placement for pelvic organ prolapse, and developed serious complications afterward, were unaware the two circumstances were linked. The FDA’s 2011 announcement informed them, prompting many to file lawsuits. Though hundreds of pelvic mesh lawsuit claims have been filed, experts expect the number to grow substantially.

If you received a transvaginal mesh implant and have experienced mesh erosion or suffered any other complications, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Contact a vaginal mesh lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your case and for the latest surgical mesh recall news.

In 2009, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency concluded that drugs containing finasteride (such as Propecia) presented a risk of breast cancer in men. The warning label for the prescription hair loss treatment in the UK was updated soon after. This same information was omitted from the warning label used in the U.S. until the spring of 2011. Millions of men have unwittingly been exposed to a risk of male breast cancer since the hair loss pill was approved by the FDA in 1997.

Over 50 cases of the disease have been reported through 2009. Though the condition is rare, there is clearly a risk. Men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are encouraged to look into filing Propecia lawsuit claims against Merck, the maker of the drug.

The danger of this disease is that tumors are rarely found early in men. Before the malignancy is discovered, cancer cells have often spread to the axillary lymph nodes, and even the chest wall. Invasive surgery in the form of a mastectomy is usually necessary.

Total Mastectomy For Male Breast Cancer

A mastectomy is the removal of the breast. There are a number of ways to perform the operation based on the needs of the patient and the aggressiveness of the cancer. Men usually have fewer options than women due to having less breast tissue. Unless complications develop during surgery, the procedure can typically be completed within a few hours.

A total (or simple) mastectomy involves the removal of the affected breast, including the nipple and areola. The surgeon may be able to perform the operation with techniques designed to preserve the nipple and areola, but such an approach is rarely an option for men. A long incision (six to eight inches) is made into the breast, beginning near the sternum and moving outward toward the underarm. After the incision has been made, the skin is held back and the tissue is completely removed. The wound is then sutured.

Modified Radical Mastectomy

This procedure is similar to a total mastectomy, but also includes the removal of the axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) on the side of the affected breast. These lymph nodes, numbering between twenty and thirty, are found under the arm. They are one of the first places cancer cells spread outside the breast. Once the diseased cells reach the lymph nodes, they can be transported through the lymph system to distant areas of the body.

The same approach used for a total mastectomy is used here to remove the tumor from the breast. Removal of the lymph nodes (called axillary lymph node dissection) is performed through an incision made into the tissue under the arm. A modified radical mastectomy with ALN dissection is likely to be the most suitable option for men who have developed Propecia male breast cancer.

Radical Mastectomy (Halsted Mastectomy)

A radical mastectomy is the most invasive form of the procedure. It involves the removal of the breast (including the nipple and areola), axillary lymph nodes, and the muscles of the chest wall. Many years ago, it was the standard approach to surgical therapy for breast cancer. Today, it is reserved for cases in which the cancer cells have reached the pectoral muscles. The patient is left with little more than skin following the procedure.

After Surgery For Male Breast Cancer

Immediately after surgery, the patient is transferred to a postoperative recovery unit. His vital signs are monitored until he awakens, after which he is transferred to a hospital room for the remainder of his stay. Patients who undergo a modified radical mastectomy with ALN dissection can expect to remain in the hospital for two or three days. They are then released to complete their recovery at home. Their physicians will explain how to care for the wound, and list activities to avoid (e.g. running, heavy lifting, etc.). Most men can return to their normal daily routines within six weeks of the procedure.

Male breast cancer is very rare. However, the disease is life-threatening once it develops. The cancer progresses through the same 4 stages of metastasis as breast cancer for women, and poses the same 5-year survival rates at each stage.

If you have used the hair loss pill, and were later diagnosed with breast cancer or suffer from erectile dysfunction, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Propecia lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your legal options.

Among the problems suffered by women who have undergone the procedure were vaginal pain, infection, bleeding, and mesh erosion. In some cases, erosion of the device through the wall of the vagina could not be resolved. These issues have encouraged hundreds of women to file surgical mesh lawsuit claims against a select group of mesh manufacturers.

There are several variations of pelvic organ prolapse for which vaginal mesh placement can be performed. Below, we’ll briefly describe each of them to clarify how the problems mentioned above occur.

Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele)

This is the most common form of POP. The muscles and tissues that normally support the bladder become stretched or weakened, allowing the bladder to “fall into” the front (anterior) vaginal wall. The organ bulges against the wall, and creates pressure in the pelvic area. The pressure is usually most pronounced when the patient remains standing for extended periods or strains her pelvic muscles.

Surgical mesh is placed between the bladder and vaginal wall. As indicated by the FDA, it is possible for the device to erode through the wall, causing severe pain, bleeding, and other side effects. Vaginal mesh erosion (sometimes called extrusion) warrants removal of the device and repair of the damaged vaginal tissue.

On rare occasions, mesh erodes into the wall of the bladder. Its removal, along with any necessary reconstructive surgery, is particularly difficult, and requires the expertise of a specialist.

Rectal Prolapse (Rectocele)

A rectocele usually requires two circumstances. First, the thin wall of supportive tissue found between the front wall of the rectum and the back (posterior) wall of the vagina weakens (or stretches). Second, the muscles and tissues that support the end of the large bowel also weaken. This allows the rectum to bulge into the lower portion of the vagina. In severe cases, when the supporting tissues and muscles have become considerably weakened, the rectum may protrude through the anus. Rectal pressure and a degree of bowel dysfunction are common with this form of POP.

Transvaginal mesh placement is performed to install the device between the rectum and vagina. Erosion through the vaginal wall presents complications similar to those described earlier. Rectal erosion, while rare, is possible and very serious. If a fistula forms between the rectum and vagina, stool can pass from the former to the latter, causing infection.

Uterine Prolapse

When the supportive muscles and tissues holding the uterus in place weaken, the bottom of the organ can drop into the vaginal canal. The extent of the hernia depends on how weak the muscles have become. The patient will likely experience urinary and bowel dysfunction as well as pain in the lower back. Additionally, she may feel as if something is protruding outside the vaginal opening.

Surgical mesh can be installed to help suspend the prolapsed uterus (the procedure is called infracoccygeal sacropexy). It is rarely done, however, due to the anatomy. Instead, a plastic, removable device called a vaginal pessary is usually installed to provide support.

Small Bowel Prolapse (Enterocele)

This type of prolapse occurs when the muscles supporting the intestine weaken. Lacking sufficient support, the end of the bowel slips downward. It passes behind the uterus, and bulges into the posterior wall of the vagina. This increases pressure, and can lead to lower back pain. It can also cause pain during sex (dyspareunia).

Vaginal mesh can be installed in the same manner as the approach used to repair a rectocele (i.e. through the posterior vaginal wall). Mesh erosion into the bowel, while very rare, can present the same complications if a fistula forms between the bowel and vagina (i.e. stool drainage, infection, etc.).

Over 600 vaginal mesh lawsuit claims have been filed against various manufacturers of the device. If you received a vaginal mesh implant and have suffered from any complications, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation for your injuries. Contact a mesh bladder sling lawsuit attorney to discuss your case and for the latest bladder sling recall news.