A new lawsuit alleges that the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis and melanoma are connected, leading the plaintiff to develop the dangerous cancer.

The plaintiff, James Y., alleges that he began taking Cialis as a treatment for erectile dysfunction back in 2004, and continued this usage for several years, until the end of 2009. Unfortunately, James was diagnosed with the dangerous skin cancer melanoma in June 2008. He now claims that his melanoma cancer was caused directly by his use of Cialis, alleging that Cialis and melanoma are linked in his lawsuit.

James filed his lawsuit over Cialis and melanoma risk on multiple counts, including negligence, fraud, defective design, failure to warn, failure to test, breach of express and implied warranties, fraud and deceit, and several others. The lawsuit was filed on Mar. 1, 2018 in California.

Melanoma: Overview

Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer that forms in the melanocytes, the cells in the skin which give skin its color, according to the Mayo Clinic. Although melanoma is not dangerous at first, the cancer is very aggressive and can quickly spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. In these cases, it is more likely for melanoma to be untreatable and fatal. While the survival rate of melanoma is actually fairly high—about 90 percent—this rate takes a steep dive down to 16 percent if the cancer is not caught early. Indeed, around 6,850 Americans are expected to die from melanoma this year. About 100,350 people in the United States are projected to be diagnosed with melanoma cancer in 2020.

The cancer may appear as a change to an existing mole or as the development of new pigment or growths on the skin. Irregular moles that may indicate the presence of cancer can be identified by following the ABCDE acronym. This acronym stands for:

• Asymmetrical shape: moles that have irregular shapes
• Irregular border: moles with irregular, notched, or scalloped borders
• Changes in color: moles with many colors or uneven color distribution
• Diameter: moles larger than 1/4 inch
• Evolving: moles which change in size, color, or shape over time

Any irregular changes to the skin should be quickly checked by a dermatologist or other doctor.

The causes of melanoma may vary, but experts agree that UV exposure significantly increases the risk. UV radiation can cause cellular damage over time, which increases the chance of mutations and the development of cancerous cells. However, there may be other unexpected causes of melanoma such as the use of erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra and Cialis.

Basics of Cialis

Cialis (also known by its generic name, tadalafil) is a popular erectile dysfunction medication manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) back in 2003. Cialis is also used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (or enlarged prostate).

Any medication will come with the risk of certain side effects, and Cialis is no exception. Common side effects associated with Cialis include headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle pain, flushing, and stuffy nose. Unfortunately, there may be far more severe complications linked with the erectile dysfunction drug: namely, melanoma cancer.

Cialis and Melanoma Risk

Generally, people associate melanoma and other skin cancers with exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, but there are some other possible causes as well, according to Medical News Today. The erectile dysfunction drug Cialis and melanoma cancer risk may be linked.

A growing number of patients are coming forward with allegations that they were not given adequate warning about the link between Cialis and melanoma risk. Despite only two percent of skin cancer being melanoma, it is the leading cause of skin cancer death, amounting to nearly one thousand fatalities from the disease each year.

This link is supported by a number of studies published in recent years, which have shown a connection between erectile dysfunction drugs similar to Cialis and melanoma skin cancer.

According to one of these studies, published in JAMA International Medicine, men who use Viagra are as much as 84 percent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer than those who do not use Viagra. While the study did not specifically look into Cialis and melanoma risk, the function of this drug is essentially similar. Data from approximately 26,000 men was used in the study.

“Our results should be interpreted cautiously and are insufficient to alter current clinical recommendations,” noted the researchers. “Nevertheless, our data provide epidemiological evidence on the possible skin adverse effect by PDE5A inhibitors and support a need for continued investigation of this relationship.”

The link between Cialis and melanoma is only strengthened when combined with other factors, increasing a patient’s risk of skin cancer. Other risk factors include exposure to UV light and a family history of skin cancer. People who have these risk factors may want to discuss their melanoma risk with their doctor.

Filing a Lawsuit Over Cialis and Melanoma Cancer Risk

Some patients who have used drugs like Cialis and Viagra allege that the erectile dysfunction drugs caused them to develop melanoma skin cancer. Plaintiffs involved in these erectile dysfunction lawsuits allege that, had the manufacturer given adequate warning about Cialis and melanoma cancer risk, they could have chosen another option and avoided this increased risk entirely.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with melanoma cancer after using Cialis or Viagra, you may be able to file a lawsuit. Though filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by Cialis and melanoma cancer risk or bring a loved one back to life, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially while dealing with significant health complications, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

The Cialis and Melanoma Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-01345, in the U.S. District Court for the San Francisco Division of the Northern District of California.