Hormone Drugs Like Depo-Provera May Be Linked to Brain Tumors, Study Finds
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A study has uncovered a potential link between the use of hormone drugs like Depo-Provera and the development of brain tumors.
The French study, which was published in the BMJ in March, found that prolonged use of several types of progestogens may lead to an increased risk of developing an intracranial meningioma, which is one of the most common types of brain tumors.
Included in the study was medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is more commonly known by its brand name of Depo-Provera. It is a contraceptive injection that patients usually receive every few months, as opposed to other kinds of birth control, such as daily pills.
While meningiomas are typically benign, they may still require surgery to remove and can become serious if left unchecked.
Lawyers are currently accepting Depo-Provera lawsuit cases from individuals who developed meningioma after repeated use of the drug.
Study Identified Links Between Prolonged Hormone Usage and “Excess Risk” of Tumors
The study examined the impact of different types of progestogens, including medroxyprogesterone acetate. It evaluated over 18,000 cases of women who had meningioma surgery between 2009 and 2018, matching them with tens of thousands of control cases.
The findings uncovered an “excess risk” of developing meningioma from prolonged usage of the drug. The study revealed the same risk for other types of contraceptive hormones, such as medrogestone (Colprone) and promegestone (Surgestone). However, it did not find any excess risk of brain tumor associated with progesterone, dydrogesterone (Duphaston) or levonorgestrel intrauterine systems such as Mirena.
Depo-Provera, which is manufactured by Pfizer, is a commonly used contraceptive injection that is typically administered once every three months. According to Mayo Clinic, it is available both in its standard form for deep muscle injections and in a lower-dose form called Depo-SubQ Provera 104 for injections just below the skin.
The FDA approved it for use as a contraceptive in 1992.
According to the Guardian, Pfizer is working to update product labels and patient information leaflets with the appropriate language in wake of this study.
Past research had tied Depo-Provera usage to a loss of bone mineral density.
Meningiomas Are Often Benign, But Can be Serious
Meningiomas, the type of tumor that researchers have linked Depo-Provera to, are one of the most common forms of brain tumors. The study noted that they account for 40% of all primary tumors of the central nervous system.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the majority of meningiomas are benign. But that doesn’t mean they can’t eventually become serious.
Meningiomas can become life-threatening if left unchecked and continue to grow. Even if they are benign, they still may require surgery to remove. According to Johns Hopkins, they can crowd the brain and other structures within the skull.
Common symptoms include headaches, blurred vision, numbness and seizures.
Editor Lindsay Donaldson contributed to this article.