If you or a loved one were diagnosed with multiple myeloma after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma lawsuit case or settlement claim.
A team of Camp Lejeune injury attorneys and class action lawyers is investigating potential lawsuit cases and settlement claims of individuals who were diagnosed with multiple myeloma after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.
Multiple myeloma is a form of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow when plasma cells (white blood cells that are a part of the immune system) become malignant (i.e., abnormal or cancerous), multiply rapidly and crowd out normal blood cells. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has estimated that almost 138,400 people in the U.S. are living with multiple myeloma, with more than 34,900 new myeloma cases diagnosed each year and more than 12,400 myeloma deaths.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune may be associated with an increased risk of developing various cancers including multiple myeloma.
Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Lawsuit Claims
Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma lawsuit and settlement cases potentially being investigated include claims of individuals who were diagnosed with multiple myeloma after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987:
- Multiple myeloma
- Myeloma
- Kahler’s disease
- Plasma cell myeloma
- Plasma cell cancer
- Hyperdiploid (HMM)
- Non-hyperdiploid or hypodiploid
- Non-secretory Myeloma
- Light chain myeloma
- Plasmacytoma
- Immunoglobulin D (IgD) myeloma
- Immunoglobulin E (IgE) myeloma
- Other blood cancer lawsuit cases
- Other Camp Lejeune cancer injury cases
Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Injury Cases
Various studies have reported a potential link between the contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune and multiple myeloma.
For example, elevated risks for multiple myeloma incidence were observed in a large case-control study that evaluated cumulative exposure and duration of exposure for trichloroethylene TCE (one of the contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune).
A 2015 study and a 2011 study, both found an association between benzene (another one of the volatile organic compounds found in the water at Camp Lejeune) and the development of multiple myeloma. The IARC (IARC 2012, Monograph 100F) concluded that a positive association was observed for benzene exposure and multiple myeloma.
Likewise, according to the CDC, studies in humans suggest that exposure to tetrachloroethylene or PCE or PERC (another one of the chemicals found in the water at Camp Lejeune) may lead to a higher risk of developing cancers such as multiple myeloma.
According to a mortality study of civilian employees exposed to contaminated drinking water at USMC Base Camp Lejeune, Camp Lejeune workers had higher mortality rates for death from multiple myeloma compared with the Camp Pendleton workers (who were not exposed to contaminated water). Similarly, according to a study that evaluated mortality among Marines and Navy personnel exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, the Camp Lejeune group had higher mortality rates for death from multiple myeloma.
Multiple Myeloma Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma can include:
- Bone pain
- Back pain
- Rib Pain
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Infections
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Feeling thirsty
- Weakness
- Numbness in arms or legs
- Kidney dysfunction
- Anemia
- Other multiple myeloma symptoms
Tools and procedures used by physicians (such as hematologists or oncologists) to diagnose multiple myeloma can include a physical examination, medical/family history, blood tests (such as serum protein electrophoresis SPEP, immunofixation or immunoelectrophoresis IFE, free light chains FLC, complete blood count CBC, chemistry profile, beta2-microglobulin B2-M, quantitative immunoglobulins, etc.), urine tests (such as a urinalysis, urine protein level, urine protein electrophoresis UPEP), imaging tests (such as bone survey or skeletal survery X-ray, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, etc.), bone marrow biopsy, bone marrow aspiration, genetic testing for multiple myeloma, among others.
Multiple Myeloma Complications
Multiple myeloma complications can potentially include bone fractures, anemia, blood clot difficulties, infections, kidney damage, amyloidosis, neurological issues and/or death, among others. According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the 5 year overall relative survival rate of people diagnosed with multiple myeloma is 55.1%
Multiple Myeloma Treatment
Multiple myeloma treatment can include chemotherapy (i.e., use of drugs to kill the cancerous plasma cells), radiation therapy (i.e., use of energy beams or X-rays to destroy myeloma cells), immunotherapy (i.e., use of drugs to bolster the immune system to defend against myeloma cells), targeted therapy (i.e., use of medicine to target proteins, genes and tissues to block the plasma cancer from spreading) and/or a hematopoietic cell transplant or bone marrow transplant, among others.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with multiple myeloma after being exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma lawsuit case or settlement claim. Contact an injury lawyer to request a free case review.
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