| Copyright (c) 2009 Katie Kelley | | | | symptoms of the pancreatic cancer including the |
| Recent news reports have provided much acclaim | | | | following: |
| to a "groundbreaking medical trial" from the | | | | * loss of appetite |
| University of Colorado Hospital, which has allegedly | | | | * depression |
| discovered a method of treatment that would | | | | * weight loss |
| "shrink the tumor with very concentrated, very | | | | * yellowing of the skin |
| localized medication" for patients suffering from | | | | * yellowing of the whites of the eyes |
| pancreatic cancer. | | | | * upper abdominal pain |
| The therapy uses a combination of tumor | | | | There are a number of reasons that pancreatic |
| necrosis factor and Imaged Guided Radiation | | | | cancer can occur, however, one of the most |
| Therapy technology, which is being administered | | | | recent risks is that of Byetta consumption. Byetta |
| by physicians. According to the 7 Denver News | | | | is a type 2 diabetes drug that is prescribed to |
| reports, the therapy operates in two phases with | | | | patients as an injectable form of insulin to regulate |
| the first beginning as "doctors use an endoscope | | | | glucose levels in individuals. Both Amylin |
| through the mouth to the stomach to deliver the | | | | Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly and Company |
| drug and inject it directly into the tumor'. In the | | | | collaborated on the drug, which was released in |
| second phase, the tumor, which is now drug-filled, | | | | 2005. Recently, the drug was linked to the onset |
| is subject to a daily blast of radiation, which | | | | of pancreatitis, which can develop into pancreatic |
| attempts to stimulate the drug until the tumor | | | | cancer if left untreated. |
| begins to break down. | | | | In 2008, approximately six patients were |
| As the trial continues, researchers involved have | | | | hospitalized for their Byetta-induced side effects |
| already determined that "patients with the | | | | of acute pancreatitis. Of the six patients, two |
| standard treatment survive about eight-and-a-half | | | | resulted in fatality. Patients who have experienced |
| months and that patients with this new treatment | | | | the Byetta dangers are advised to discuss their |
| live about eleven-and-a-half months." | | | | case with a pharmaceutical attorney who can |
| Pancreatic Cancer Signs and Symptoms | | | | offer a free legal consultation as to the |
| Pancreatic cancer occurs when cancerous cells | | | | development of a Byetta class action lawsuit, |
| "begin in the ducts of the pancreas, but they | | | | which may result in the reward of monetary |
| sometimes develop from the cells of that make | | | | funds for a Byetta patient. By contacting a |
| the pancreatic enzymes," according to the | | | | professional attorney an individual increases the |
| American Cancer Society (ACS). The Mayo Clinic | | | | protection of themselves and their family |
| also explained that there are several signs and | | | | members. |