New Research Indicates Implant Recipients May Face Increased Cancer Risk
Those who have received DePuy Orthopedics' ASR Hip Resurfacing System, or an all-metal version of DePuy's Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System should be aware of new research out of Britain indicating that patients with such devices face an increased risk of developing cancer. A study, conducted by scientists at the University of Bristol, found that 1 in 5 patients fitted with an all-metal hip implant experienced changes to cells in the bladder that could be precursors of cancer, according to a report published by The Sunday Telegraph on February 4, 2011.
Since the August 2010 worldwide recall of the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the DePuy ASR Acetabular System 1 out of every 8 patients (12%-13%) who had received the devices had to undergo revision surgery within five years of receiving it.
According to The Sunday Telegraph report, researchers at Bristol University examined data on 72 patients who had been implanted with a metal-on-metal hip replacement device. They found that 17 patients had experienced genetic damage to the cells of their bladder, while three patients had developed full-blown cancer. The report also said, the researchers are concerned that the genetic damage seen in the study could be a precursor to the formation of cancer as the result of cell mutation.
U.K. health regulators were preparing to issue new guidance regarding metal-on-metal hip implants amid concerns that the shedding of metal debris into patients' blood streams could lead to "systemic toxicity," and could put the nervous system, heart and lungs at risk of being slowly poisoned.
If you have received a defective hip replacement using this product, contact Bisnar | Chase right away at 800.561.4887.
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