What is Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer? Many studies have shown that women who have used talcum powder in the genital region for feminine hygiene purposes may have a much greater risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is believed that the microscopic talc fibers travel through a woman’s reproductive system, landing in the ovaries where they embed themselves deep into the ovarian tissues. Once there, the talc fibers cause inflammation—a known cause of many types of cancers. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer is often not diagnosed until it is in later stages, therefore it can be more difficult to treat.
What is the Treatment and Protocol for Ovarian Cancer? The “standard” treatment for ovarian cancer is typically debulking (surgically removing as much of the cancer as possible, leaving tumors no larger than ½”), then from 3-6 cycles of chemotherapy. Drugs used in the treatment of ovarian cancer are known as systemic therapies because they can reach cancer cells throughout the body.
Ovarian cancer chemotherapy can be administered via IV into the bloodstream, by mouth, or through the abdomen. In some cases, hormone therapy or targeted therapies may be used in lieu of chemotherapy, or in addition to chemotherapy. Treatments for ovarian cancer will be based on the stage of the cancer, the type of ovarian cancer, and such things as age and overall health.
How Often Will Follow-Up Appointments Be Required? Following your ovarian cancer treatment, your doctor will likely recommend that you have a physical exam and pelvic exam every two to four months for at least the first two years following your initial treatment, then every 3-6 months for the next few years. Your doctor may recommend blood tests for tumor markers or hormones that would recognize a recurrence.
The tumor marker CA-125 is most often used to check for a recurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer, although treatment based only on these levels with no other symptoms may increase adverse side effects. Tests for AFP and or HCG may be used to check for a recurrence of ovarian germ cell tumors, and checking hormone levels like estrogen, testosterone, and inhibin could be used to check for the recurrence of stromal ovarian cancer.
What is Lynparza? Lynparza is the brand name for Olaparib—a medication for the maintenance treatment of advanced ovarian cancer in women who have a BRCA-mutated form of ovarian cancer. Another similar drug is Zejula (brand name for niraparib) Lynparza helps kill cancer cells by preventing PARP (a protein that repairs DNA damage in cells so they can survive, but in cancerous cells, you want to stop this repair) from repairing them. Unfortunately, PARP is found in healthy cells as well, so they may also be affected by Lynparza.
How Long Will You Be on Lynparza and How Effective Is It? Both Lynparza and Zejula are considered “safe” to take for up to two years, for those who have undergone surgery and chemotherapy for ovarian cancer as well as for those who are in the advanced stages of ovarian cancer. Fifty percent of women with BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer treated with Lynparza survived without cancer progression for five years as compared to 26 percent of the women that received a placebo. Zejula studies found that women taking the drug had a 38 percent lower risk of disease progression, and among HRD-positive women, Zejula reduced the risk of disease progression by 57 percent. It is important to keep in mind that these drugs are relatively new, and the studies were performed by the manufacturers of the drug.
What are the Potential Side Effects of Lynparza? Lynparza is not without side effects. The most common side effects of the drug include chronic headache, joint, muscle, back and abdominal pain, distorted taste, nausea and vomiting, chronic fatigue, decreased appetite, and indigestion. More serious side effects include the development of myelodysplastic syndrome—a condition where the bone marrow is unable to produce sufficient functioning blood cells—as well as acute myeloid leukemia and lung inflammation. Zejula’s side effects are similar.
What You Need to Know About Filing a Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder for feminine hygiene for a significant length of time, it could be extremely beneficial for you to contact an experienced talcum powder ovarian cancer lawyer from Sullo & Sullo. We can comprehensively review the facts surrounding your diagnosis, helping you determine whether filing a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit is right for you.