Roundup Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma

What’s the Problem?

Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer was recently designated as a “probable human carcinogen” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Farmers, farm workers and those living near farmland in which Roundup is sprayed may be at an increased risk for developing life-threatening diseases like primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma.

What is Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma?

Primary CNS lymphoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells develop in the lymph tissue of the brain and/or spinal cord. Lymphocytes, which are carried in the lymph, travel in and out of the central nervous system (CNS). It is believed that some of these lymphocytes become malignant and cause lymphoma to form in the CNS. The cancer can begin in the brain, spinal cord or meninges (the layers that form the outer covering of the brain). Primary central nervous system lymphoma may also be referred to as primary cerebral lymphoma or brain lymphoma.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of primary central nervous system lymphoma include:

Changes in speech or vision
Fever
Headache
Unexplained weight loss
Seizures
Changes in personality
Numbness to extreme temperatures
Paralysis on one side of the body

Staging

After primary CNS lymphoma has been diagnosed, tests are performed to determine whether the cancer cells have spread within the brain and spinal cord or to other parts of the body. When the disease continues to grow, it usually does not spread beyond the central nervous system or the eye. The process used to find out if cancer has spread is called staging. It is important to know if cancer has spread to other parts of the body in order to plan treatment.

Treatment

Studies have found high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation to be highly effective in treating patients with newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphoma. Treatment works best when the tumor has not spread outside the cerebrum and the patient is younger than 60-years-old, able to carry out most daily activities, and does not have HIV/AIDS or other diseases that weaken the immune system.

Prognosis and Survival Rate

Factors that affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and survival rate in patients diagnosed with primary central nervous system lymphoma include:

The patient’s age and overall health
The level of certain substances in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid
Where the tumor is in the CNS
Whether the patient has HIV/AIDS or other diseases that compromise the immune system

Roundup Cancer Lawsuit Information

Since Roundup first entered the U.S. market in 1974, Monsanto has denied claims that its herbicide may cause cancer. However, subsequent studies have found that glyphosate is carcinogenic to humans, and that Monsanto has downplayed and even hidden risks of the weed killer in an effort to place profits ahead of public safety.

Outraged by Monsanto’s deception, farmers, gardeners and agricultural workers are filing lawsuits alleging that Roundup causes primary nervous system lymphoma and other cancers. In October 2016, these lawsuits were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2741) for pretrial handling in the Northern District of California.

View Sources

“In Re: Roundup Products Liability Litigation Transfer Order”. United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML). October 3, 2016.
“Primary CNS Lymphoma Treatment (PDQ®)–Patient Version”. National Cancer Institute (NCI). August 3, 2016.
“Primary Cerebral Lymphoma”. Healthline. 2015-2016.
“World Health Organization Labels Glyphosate Probable Carcinogen”. Environmental Working Group (EWG). March 20, 2015.
“Prognosis of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma after high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation”. Haematologica. May 2013.

FREE Confidential Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with primary nervous system lymphoma after using or being exposed to Roundup weed killer, you may be eligible to obtain compensation by filing a lawsuit and we can help. Contact a Roundup attorney today for a Free Confidential Case Evaluation by filling out the form below or calling toll free 24/hrs a day by dialing (866) 223-3784.

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