Notice: Thank you for visiting our informational page regarding Cialis Skin Cancer claims. At this time we are no longer accepting cases regarding Cialis Skin Cancer cases. However, if you feel that you have any questions about other defective medical devices, dangerous drugs, recalls, or any additional legal concerns that we may help you with, please call us or fill out the evaluation form.
If you have developed melanoma – a life threatening type of skin cancer – you may be facing expensive and difficult treatments, and you may worry about your survival. You may also wonder what caused it. And the answer may not be what you think. The popular erectile dysfunction pill Cialis has been linked to a risk of melanoma. If you or a loved one developed melanoma and took Cialis, we may be able to get you money to pay your medical bills and other losses.
At John Foy and Associates, we’re known as “the Strong Arm” for our ability to stand up to big companies and get people the money they need for their injuries. We are actively working on claims to recover money for people who have developed skin cancer after taking Cialis. We offer you a free, no obligation consultation to help you understand your claim and explain what we can do. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
How does Cialis Work?
Cialis, also known as tadalafil, is a drug that improves mens’ ability to have and maintain an erection. It is a prescription drug that is taken as a pill. Cialis received FDA approval in 2003 and is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. Cialis also is used to treat BPH, a prostate gland condition that often exists alongside erectile dysfunction.
Cialis, along with Viagra and Levitra, is a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor drug. An erection depends on the penis receiving adequate blood flow. Sexual stimulation causes an enzyme known as cGMP to activate and relax the blood vessels and muscles in the penis. The widened blood vessels allow an increased flow of blood. It’s this increased blood flow that allows Cialis to produce a reliable erection.
But cGMP isn’t the only enzyme involved. Another enzyme, PDE-5, can counteract cGMP—which makes it far less effective on its own. A PDE-5 inhibitor like Cialis prevents this from happening by blocking this from happening.
What Is Erectile Dysfunction?
When the penis is unable to get and stay erect long enough to have sex, erectile dysfunction is the result. Erectile dysfunction can occur in older men as part of the aging process, but it also has numerous other causes. These include:
- Obesity
- Heart conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Sleep disorders
- Metabolic syndrome
- Alcoholism
- Treatments given for prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate
- Injuries or surgeries involving the pelvis or spinal cord
Erectile dysfunction isn’t always related to a physical condition. It can also be caused by emotional and psychological issues like stress, anxiety and depression. Although erectile dysfunction on its own isn’t necessarily dangerous, it can create a high level of emotional distress, anxiety about having sex, depression and relationship problems.
Does Cialis Cause Skin Cancer?
Research supports a link between Cialis and other PDE-5 inhibitors and melanoma, an especially fast-spreading and deadly skin cancer. A study in 2011 concluded that when PDE-5 is blocked, melanoma becomes more invasive. Another study the following year had similar findings. These studies are important because melanoma is more treatable and less life-threatening if it can be removed before it has spread.
A major study identifying a link between PDE-5 drugs and melanoma was published in 2014 in JAMA Internal Medicine. After studying 25,248 men, researchers found that PDE-5 inhibitor users had approximately twice the risk of melanoma as non-users. But the researchers did not reach any conclusions on how these popular drugs might cause cancer.
A 2015 study also found that men had increased rates of melanoma when they used PDE-5 inhibitors. But the study failed to reach any definite conclusions, saying the cancers might have been caused by other factors.
As a result, the FDA announced in 2016 that it was considering taking regulatory action based on the “serious risk of melanoma” from Cialis and other PDE-5 inhibitors. In the meantime, hundreds of lawsuits have been brought forward against the makers of these drugs, for failing to warn the public and doctors of the risk.
What Makes Melanoma So Dangerous?
Melanoma is a cancer in the skin cells that produce melanin, the colored substance that creates a suntan. Ordinarily, the function of melanin is to protect the cells deeper within your skin. The more you are exposed to the sun, the more melanin is produced, and the darker your tan.
But sometimes, there’s a malfunction in the cells that produce melanin and the cells’ DNA becomes damaged. This causes the cells to grow faster and differently than they should, creating a cancer. Melanoma often develops on the hands, feet, arms, legs, torso or face, but it can affect any part of the body. A new spot on the skin can be a sign of melanoma, especially if it has any of these characteristics:
- Asymmetrical – one half of the spot is different from the other
- Border – melanomas have irregular borders and may seem ragged or blurry
- Color – the color not uniform and may be different shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of other colors
- Diameter – melanomas are usually larger than a pencil eraser, or more than ¼ inch in diameter
- Evolving – the spot changes in color, shape or size.
Melanomas are dangerous because they tend to be fast-growing, and they can spread far beyond the skin. Melanomas that have spread may have to be treated with surgery or chemotherapy. Unfortunately, some melanomas prove fatal. Despite these risks, Cialis continues to be sold without any warnings of the dire skin cancer risk.
Talk to a Cialis Skin Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer
At John Foy & Associates, we don’t think it’s fair that pharmaceutical companies earn billions of dollars selling drugs that simply aren’t safe. Our firm is large enough and experienced enough to take on the company who caused your or your loved one’s skin cancer. Let us you a free consultation to hear your story and explain what we do. You’ll never have to pay us a dime if we don’t win money for you. Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.