Worrying connections between roundup and mantle cell lymphoma

The International Agency for Research on Cancer declared glyphosate, the active ingredient in a common weed killer like Roundup to be a "probable carcinogen." Listed under Grade 2A, ARC considers it less harmful than asbestos or radiation but still dangerous.

Mantle cell lymphoma, a rare form of white cell cancer, makes up for 2-7% of all cases. It is considered an aggressive form of the disease.

Mantle cell lymphoma can quickly spread to all parts of the immune system, including the spleen and bone marrow, as well as outside of it. In nearly all cases, however, it initially affects the mantle in the lymph nodes. This gets swollen and might be suppressed completely by cancer tissue as malignant B-cell lymphocytes multiply uncontrollably.

Generalities regarding mantle cell lymphoma

The debate on whether MCL should be considered an indolent (slow-acting) or aggressive form of NHL is not yet settled, with the disease showing characteristics belonging to both categories.

Lately, the medical consensus seems to lean in favor of the latter, as it can spread to multiple areas of the body and most usually it is diagnosed after it reached the spleen, bone marrow, multiple lymph nodes, or even the liver and gastrointestinal tract.

MCL symptoms are most of the time non-specific in the earlier stages and can be confused with infections. Sings include weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, loss of appetite, easy bruising, and enlargement of certain organs.

The clearest indication of MCL is an enlargement of the lymph nodes, most usually around the neck area but also in the armpits, abdomen, and groin. The doctor can couple these symptoms with the patient's history to begin investigations for NHL.

How Roundup can play a part in mantle cell lymphoma

It is not yet certain what causes MCL, but it is believed that genetic and environmental factors play fairly equal roles. The most commonly affected demographic are men (75%) in their late 50s or early 60s. Exposure to radiation or occupational exposure to dioxin and glyphosate has been shown to play a role, with the amount of contact increasing the chances of developing the disease.

It is believed that the surfactant and glyphosate combination that makes up most brand-name pesticides is more dangerous than the active ingredient by itself, the soapy surfactant acting to help glyphosate permeate the skin. That's why small operators that use individual sprayers in the line of their work are especially at risk.

Occupations may include:

  • farmworkers
  • garden center employees
  • nursery employees
  • landscapers
  • groundskeepers
  • professional gardener

If you've used Roundup for a long time, consider screening for mantle cell lymphoma

It is important that MCL be detected as soon as possible, which is best done via screening, as by the time suggestive symptoms appear the disease might have reached advanced stages.

One of the cheapest and less intrusive tests medical professionals can undertake is a blood analysis, where lab technicians count each type of blood cell and look for certain proteins considered to be markers of lymphoma.

Investigations generally continue with a lymph node biopsy, and might also include a CT scan, PET scan, as well as a colonoscopy since MCL can generate the growth of polyps in the large intestine.

Treatment usually starts right after diagnosis, although in certain slow-growing cases the medic might recommend "watchful waiting" which only implies regular visits and tests to ascertain cancer's progress.

Treatments for mantle cell lymphoma include:

  • Chemotherapy - a cocktail of very toxic drugs is administered either orally or through an IV to the patient
  • Immunotherapy - a newer and less intrusive treatment, often used in combination with chemo
  • Target therapy - protein blockers are used to suppress the mechanism by which cancer cells keep alive and multiply
  • Stem cell transplant - generally administered together with high dose chemo, stem cells are used to make new blood cells

The average cost for mantle cell lymphoma treatment spans around $105,000 annually, so it's advisable to consider every available method for covering the cost, such as charities, cancer grants, drug company discounts, and contacting a toxic exposure lawyer for litigation.

Toxic occupational exposure can make you liable to receive damages

If you were regularly exposed to glyphosate and you've been diagnosed with cancer, you may have grounds to file a Roundup weed killer claim.

If the heavy use of pesticides contributed to your mantle cell lymphoma, you deserve compensation for your damages.

To explore your legal options, contact Atraxia Law at your earliest convenience.