Kentucky’s Alarming High Liver Cancer Cases Linked to Recalled Philips CPAP & BiPAP Devices

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liver cancer from Philips CPAP or BiPAP deviceKentucky has alarmingly high cancer rates. According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that new cancer cases in Kentucky in 2021 are over 30,000 and estimated deaths are over 10,000. Liver cancer accounts for over 400 of those deaths. Many of the new cases in Kentucky have been linked to the recently recalled Philips CPAP & BiPAP devices. But, before we go into how our Kentucky dangerous device attorneys can help you recover compensation for damages, let’s get a better understanding of liver cancer and its symptoms.

Liver cancer is a cancer that originates in the cells of the liver. There are several types of cancer that can form in the liver including: hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatoblastoma. It is more common to have cancer spread to the liver from other cells in the body such as lungs, colon, breast, or kidney, than it is to have it originate in the liver. This type of cancer is named after the organ in which it originated. Therefore, cancer originating in the liver and spreading to other areas of the body is called metastatic liver cancer.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

  • Abdominal swelling
  • Loss of weight
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weakness and general fatigue
  • Jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of eyes)
  • White or chalky stools
  • Upper abdominal pain

Recalled Philips CPAP and BiPAP Machines Are Linked to Cancer in Kentucky

There are many factors that increase the risk of developing liver cancer. Unfortunately, Kentucky residents that used one of the recently recalled Phillips CPAP or BiPAP DreamStation machines may now be at an increased risk for developing cancer or may have already developed cancer because of using one of these dangerous machines. Due to problems with a component of the Phillips CPAP machine, users may have been subjected to toxins that have been alleged to cause cancer, including cancer of the liver.

The Phillips CPAP and BiPAP DreamStation used a polyester-based polyurethane sound abatement foam inside one of the motors used to push air towards the user. The foam has been determined to break down and potentially enter the air pathway of the user causing them to unknowingly swallow this toxic material. CPAP devices manufactured between 2009 and April 26, 2021 are at risk for this malfunction. Close to 4 million machines were manufactured and sold to patients during this time. Many of those are residents of Kentucky.

This development, coupled with Kentucky’s already high cancer rate, place Kentucky residents that used the Phillips CPAP or BiPAP machine to treat sleep apnea or other conditions, at an increased risk for developing cancer. In fact, our firm has already started litigating cases for Kentucky clients that developed liver cancer because of using the Phillips CPAP DreamStation with the faulty component. Many of our clients are already suffering from liver cancer and are being treated at one of Kentucky’s cancer treatment centers such as:

  • James Graham Brown Cancer Center
  • Markey Cancer Center
  • Graves Gilbert Clinic
  • Baptist Health Cancer Care
  • Norton Cancer Institute
  • Hardin Memorial Hospital Cancer Care Center
  • Owensboro Health Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center
  • Ray and Kay Eckstein Reginal Cancer Care Center
  • Mercy Health Paducah Medical Oncology

These centers provide highly trained oncologists and cancer care specialists that provide cancer treatment and services to Kentucky residents.

Treatment Options for Those Impacted by the Philips DreamStation Recalls

  • Liver resections
  • Systemic chemotherapy
  • targeted radiation therapy
  • laparoscopic cancer staging
  • laparoscopic liver resection
  • interventional radiologic and endoscopic palliation of biliary obstruction
  • chemotherapy
  • radiation treatment
  • radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors

[Related: Do I Qualify for the CPAP Recall Lawsuit in Kentucky?]

Contact Our Kentucky Dangerous Device Attorneys Today!

As a Kentucky law firm, we will fight hard for our Kentucky clients that have developed cancer because of the Phillips Dreamstation CPAP / BiPAP manufacturing defect.

If you or a loved one were impacted by the recall and have developed cancer, our Kentucky dangerous device attorneys are here and ready to help you collected the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm online or give us a call at 502.210.8942 to schedule a free consultation with our dangerous device attorneys today!