DES (Diethylstilbestrol) Frequently Asked Questions
Read the answers to frequently asked questions about DES (Diethylstilbestrol), including its side effects, the recall, and how to take legal action. Read through them, then fill out this simple form for a free case evaluation.
- What is DES and why was it recalled?
- How does DES affect those who were exposed to it?
- What is clear cell adenocarcinoma?
- Is DES still on the market today?
- What should I do if I’ve been exposed to DES?
- What kind of legal action should I take?
- Will I be suing my doctor?
- Do I have to pay for legal services?
- How do I know which law firm to retain?
What is DES and why was it recalled?
DES, or diethylstilbestrol, is a synthetic version of estrogen, a common female hormone. Beginning in the mid-to-late 1940s, DES was prescribed to pregnant women at high risk for miscarriage and other serious pregnancy complications. The drug was later found to not only be ineffective at preventing miscarriages, but harmful to fetuses under five months old. In 1971, after an FDA recall, doctors stopped prescribing the hormone to pregnant women, It is estimated that about 4.8 million women took DES. 2.4 million daughters and 2.4 million sons were affected.
How does DES affect those who were exposed to it?
DES can affect the mother who took it while pregnant, as well as the male or female child she was carrying at the time. Female children were the most frequently affected. The most serious health problem that DES daughters are prone to is called clear cell adenocarcinoma, a rare type of vaginal and cervical cancer. Daughters of patients who took DES are also likely to develop structural changes in their reproductive organs, infertility and pregnancy problems. Ectopic pregnancies, miscarriage, premature labor and delivery are also common difficulties for "DES daughters." DES daughters are also likely to develop abnormal cells in the cervix and vagina. These abnormal cells are termed "dysplasia," "cervical intraepithelial neoplasia," or "squamous intraepithelial lesions," and they can evolve into cancer without careful observation and treatment.
Men who were exposed to DES in the womb have not shown the same ill-effects as women. However, studies on DES sons are ongoing. While the links are not conclusive, DES sons seem to be more likely to have undescended testicles or unusually small testicles. Men with these conditions are at greater risk of developing testicular cancer, although they may or may not be caused by DES.
What is clear cell adenocarcinoma?
Clear cell adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer that appears in the glands and tissues of the reproductive and urinary organs. Abnormally shaped cells multiply dangerously in these areas. Daughters of women who took DES while pregnant tend to develop clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina and/or cervix, primarily between the ages of 15 and 22. This particular form of clear cell adenocarcinoma is linked to exposure to DES before birth.
Is DES still on the market today?
DES is indeed still on the market, but is no longer prescribed for pregnant or nursing women. It is used to treat symptoms resulting from menopause, menstrual disorders, postpartum breast enlargement, primary ovarian failure and chemotherapy for advanced breast and prostate cancer.
What should I do if I've been exposed to DES?
If you have been exposed to DES, it is imperative you visit your doctor immediately to determine if your exposure is affecting your health. If you are a DES daughter, you will most likely be given a thorough pelvic exam. You should check to make sure your doctor is familiar with the possible problems associated with DES exposure, since some problems such as clear cell adenocarcinoma are likely to be found only when the doctor is looking for them.
If you are a woman who took DES while pregnant, you should inform your doctor. You should try to learn the dosage, when the medication was started, and how it was used. You also should inform your children who were exposed before birth so that this information can be included in their medical records. DES-exposed mothers should have regular breast cancer screening and yearly medical checkups that include a pelvic examination and a Pap test.
DES-exposed sons should inform their physician of their exposure and be examined periodically. While the level of risk of developing testicular cancer is unclear among DES-exposed sons, males with undescended testicles or unusually small testicles have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer, whether or not they were exposed to DES.
If, after proper medical evaluation, it is determined that you are suffering an injury related to the use of DES, you may have the right to legal compensation. If DES has affected you, or someone close to you, you may be able to file a claim against the drug''s manufacturer.
What kind of legal action should I take?
Weitz & Luxenberg is currently agreeing to represent individual clients who have suffered significant damage as a result of taking DES. This would not be in a class action setting, where many people who have been harmed by the same product in various degrees sue the manufacturer together. Rather, if your injuries have been sufficiently serious, Weitz & Luxenberg will represent you as an individual.
Will I be suing my doctor?
It is unlikely you will file a suit against your physician. The primary liability claim is against Bayer, not a medical malpractice claim against your own doctor. The main legal issue relates to the defective product, in this case, D.E.S., not to any negligence on your doctor's part.
Do I have to pay for legal services?
The firm of Weitz & Luxenberg accepts cases solely on a contingency basis. This means that you are only obligated to pay legal fees if its attorneys win financial compensation for you.
How do I know which law firm to retain?
Weitz & Luxenberg practices in the areas of mass torts and product liability lawsuits. It has set the highest standard for successfully litigating mass tort claims and is highly experienced in national litigations. We are currently representing individuals in Asbestos, Baycol, DES, Propulsid, Rezulin, and Fen-Phen claims, among others. Staffed with more than 50 attorneys with a variety of specialties and decades of experience, Weitz & Luxenberg is uniquely suited to serve your best interests.
For additional information about our DES lawyers and a complimentary consultation, speak to a Client Relations representative at Weitz & Luxenberg today! Please fill out this simple form, call toll free 1 (800) 476-6070 or e-mail us at Clientrelations@weitzlux.com.
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