Lawsuits are being filed against the Monsanto Company by farmers, landscapers, and nursery workers who developed cancer after using or being exposed to Roundup weed killer. One of the specific types of cancer linked to Roundup is diffuse B-cell lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that begins in the lymph glands.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one got cancer from Roundup, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against Monsanto and our lawyers can help.
Update: San Francisco Jury Rules Plaintiff’s Cancer Caused by Roundup
March 19, 2019 - A jury in California’s Northern District has determined that Monsanto’s controversial Roundup herbicide significantly contributed to a man’s development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, deadly cancer that develops from white blood cells called lymphocytes. The jury of 5 women and 1 man reached a unanimous decision in favor of plaintiff Ed Hardeman after deliberating for a week; the verdict marks another costly setback for Bayer AG, which purchased Monsanto last August for about $63 billion.
How Can Roundup Cause Cancer?
The main active ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate, a widely-used herbicide that kills both broadleaf plants and grasses. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” IARC based its findings on tests that showed that glyphosate toxicity caused DNA and chromosomal damage in human cells. This damage can lead to the development of blood cancers such as diffuse B-cell lymphoma.
Related Article: Monsanto Roundup Lawsuit Update
What is Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma?
According to the Leukemia Foundation [1], diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) that develops from B-cells in the lymphatic system. DLBCL is the most common subtype of NHL, accounting for 30%-40% of all cases. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma can occur at any age, but is most common in people over the age of 50. The average age of diagnosis is 60-65 years; however, DLBCL can also affect children.
Signs and Symptoms
The primary symptom of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is usually a painless swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin that is caused by enlarged lymph nodes. In some cases, other parts of the body may be affected. This is known as ‘extranodal’ disease because it is happening outside of the lymph nodes, typically in the stomach or bowel, which may cause abdominal discomfort or pain, diarrhea, or bleeding.
DLBCL can also be found in many other areas including the salivary glands, nasal sinuses, liver, lungs, testes, skin, brain, or eye, with accompanying symptoms being directly related to the amount of pressure the lymphoma is putting on the affected body part. Other generalized symptoms of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma include fevers, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.
Molecular Subtypes
There are several different subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, with most people being diagnosed with DLBCL ‘not otherwise specified’. Other subtypes include:
- Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma: Accounts for 2-4% of all non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Develops in the mediastinum and can cause problems due to pressure of the mass on the lungs or gut, or on the superior vena cava. Symptoms include breathlessness, persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the neck and face, dizziness, and headaches.
- T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma: Has all three types of cells present- T-cells, histiocytes, and large B-cells. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, and swelling of the liver or spleen.
- Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: An extremely rare form of lymphoma that causes stroke-like symptoms including weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm, or legs on either or both sides of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding, dizziness, loss of balance or unexplained falls, changes in vision, severe headaches, and difficulty swallowing.
Treatment and Prognosis (Outlook)
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a high-grade (fast-growing) cancer that needs to be treated quickly. The current standard treatment is a regimen of 4 drugs known as CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), plus the monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan). This treatment usually continues for approximately 4 months. Other therapies include radiation, stem cell transplants, and other chemotherapy. In most cases, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is very responsive to treatment with a large percentage of people being cured.
Related Article: Extranodal Marginal Zone Cell Lymphoma Lawsuit
Lawsuit Alleges Glyphosate Toxicity Caused Lymphoma
In September 2016, a man who developed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after using Roundup filed a lawsuit (PDF) against Monsanto in the Southern District of Illinois. According to the complaint, Plaintiff Charles Cushman had used Roundup for both agricultural and residential use since the 1980s, and as a result of his continuous exposure to the weed killer, he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in 2008. Cushman alleges that Monsanto knew or should have known that Roundup could cause cancer, yet failed to adequately warn consumers and the medical community about this risk.
Roundup Cancer Trial Moves Forward
July 12, 2018 - Hundreds of lawsuits alleging Roundup caused cancer advanced a crucial step forward on Thursday when a judge in the San Francisco Superior Court ruled that a cancer victim could present expert testimony linking the herbicide to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria said evidence linking glyphosate was “rather weak”; however, he also affirmed that the opinions of 3 experts linking the weed killer to cancer were relevant, and not tantamount to “junk science.”
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See all related product liability lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.
Do I have a Roundup Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Lawsuit Lawsuit?
The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Roundup Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma litigations. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Roundup diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you got cancer after using or being exposed to Roundup weed killer, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.
