What Is Intracranial Meningioma?

Around 20 million women across the globe have taken Depo-Provera, an injectable form of contraception produced by Pfizer. While this birth control shot has been extremely popular, many women have concerns about the risks of the drug following a study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). That study suggested that using Depo-Provera greatly increased the risk of developing an intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor.

Let’s explore the basics of intracranial meningiomas, including their symptoms, risk factors, and potential options for treatment. We’ll then look at the BMJ study and potential legal options for women who took the birth control shot many years earlier in life.

If you were on Depo-Provera and developed an intracranial meningioma, our attorneys can help you file a lawsuit against Pfizer. The birth control shot lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for legal compensation during a free case review.

 

Understanding Intracranial Meningiomas

An intracranial meningioma is a type of brain tumor that affects the meninges, the protective membrane of tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. These are also known as meningeal tumors.

Grades of Meningiomas

There are three grades of meningiomas:

• Grade I (Typical): The most common type of meningioma, these are benign tumors that develop slowly.
• Grade II (Atypical): A less common form of meningioma, these kinds of non-cancerous tumors develop much quicker.
• Grade III (Anaplastic): The rarest form of meningioma, these kinds of malignant tumors grow and spread quickly.

Thankfully, most intracranial meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous) and treatable. Approximately 92% of meningioma patients will survive their condition for more than five years after their initial diagnosis.

Are Intracranial Meningiomas Common?

Yes, relatively speaking.

Meningiomas are the most common type of brain tumor. Approximately 170,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with meningiomas each year. 

Intracranial meningiomas are two to three times more likely in women than in men. While intracranial meningiomas tend to be more common in older people, they can develop at any age.

Long-Term Effects of Intracranial Meningioma

As the tumor grows, it can press on the brain as well as any nearby nerves and blood vessels. This can cause changes in a person’s memory, hearing, vision, speech, smell, and motor function. Since the tumor can press on nerves, there may also be changes in a person’s strength.

Warning Signs of Intracranial Meningioma

The most common warning signs of intracranial meningioma include:

• Headaches
• Blurry vision
• Double vision
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Paralysis in certain parts of the body
• Loss of smell
• Memory loss
• Seizures

If you notice any combination of the above symptoms, especially the onset of seizures, be sure to speak with your doctor. Your doctor may recommend seeing a neurologist so you can undergo a comprehensive exam and screening.

How Are Intracranial Meningiomas Diagnosed?

Intracranial meningiomas are commonly diagnosed through a combination of neurological exams and imaging tests, such as CT scans or an MRI scan. Sometimes, a neurologist may also perform a biopsy just to confirm that the meningioma is not another type of brain tumor.

Each patient’s experience is different, so be sure to discuss the screening process with your doctor or neurologist.

Treatments for Intracranial Meningiomas

If an intracranial meningioma has negative effects on your cognitive function, senses, and other aspects of your daily life, you may need one of the following treatments:

• Surgical Removal of the Tumor: For growing meningiomas that cause major symptoms, surgical removal is often recommended. Complete removal of the brain tumor may not be possible, however, depending on where the meningioma is located in relation to the spinal cord and the base of the brain.
• Radiation Therapy for the Tumor: When the intracranial meningioma cannot be surgically removed or can only be partially removed, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy to destroy the remaining cells of the brain tumor.
• Chemotherapy for the Tumor: If the brain tumor does not respond to surgery or radiation therapy, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy to target the intracranial meningioma. Chemo is rarely used to treat this kind of brain tumor.

Treatment for Meningiomas Is Not Always Necessary

If your intracranial meningioma does not have adverse effects on your quality of life, you may not need any invasive treatment. Doctors may instead track the growth of your meningioma through regular checkups and screenings, taking a more conservative approach to treatment.

Risk Factors for Intracranial Meningioma

While the exact cause of intracranial meningiomas is still unknown, there are some key risk factors associated with these types of tumors:

• Radiation Exposure: Any radiation exposure or radiation therapy involving the head may increase your risk for intracranial meningioma.
• Female Hormones: Since meningiomas are more common in women, there is some speculation that female hormones may be a contributing risk factor. This is heightened when women take birth control or undergo hormone therapy.
• Genetics/Family History: Patients with a family history of meningiomas are more at risk. The same is true of people with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare condition that causes tumors to form on nerves, especially nerves in the skull and spine.
• Obesity: Some studies suggest that people who are obese are more likely to develop meningiomas.

Since female hormones may increase the risk of developing an intracranial meningioma, there’s been some concern about the potential dangers associated with Depo-Provera use.

What Is Depo-Provera and Why Is It So Widely Used?

Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). It is a birth control injection that is taken every three months (12 weeks). These contraceptive injections significantly decrease the chances of pregnancy.

Women who were prescribed this form of contraception typically took one of these shots:

• Depo-Provera
• Depo-subQ Provera 104

In addition to its use as a birth control, Depo-Provera is also prescribed to women with endometriosis to manage their symptoms. Depo-Provera has also been prescribed as part of hormone therapy for women during menopause.

How Depo-Provera Works

The Depo-Provera contains progestin, the synthetic form of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. Progestins like medroxyprogesterone acetate are sometimes referred to as progestogens.

Progestin prevents a woman from ovulating (releasing an egg from the ovaries). With no egg present to be fertilized, a woman cannot become pregnant.

In addition to preventing ovulation, progestin also increases the thickness of a woman’s cervical mucus. Thicker cervical mucus makes it more difficult for sperm to reach a waiting egg. This creates an additional layer of protection against unwanted pregnancy.

The Convenience and Effectiveness of the Birth Control Shot

Many teenage girls and young women appreciated the convenience of Depo-Provera. Since the shot only had to be administered every three months, there was less hassle and no prescriptions to get refilled. Birth control pills, by contrast, need to be taken daily.

On average, Depo-Provera is 96% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Can Depo-Provera Use Lead to Intracranial Meningioma?

There is growing concern that the use of Depo-Provera can increase the risk of developing an intracranial meningioma later in life. Much of this is due to a March 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal.

The BMJ Study on Depo and Brain Tumor Risk

The BMJ study examined numbers from the French National Health Data System to analyze different kinds of progestins. The analysis revealed that the prolonged use of medrogestone, promegestone, and medroxyprogesterone acetate increased the chances of developing intracranial meningiomas.

According to the BMJ, medroxyprogesterone acetate (the primary progestin in Depo-Provera) made patients 555% more likely to develop intracranial meningiomas.

What This Connection Means for Past Depo-Provera Patients

Women who took Depo-Provera in the past should be mindful of any intracranial meningioma symptoms we’ve noted above. This is especially true if they also have any of the risk factors we’ve noted.

If you are a past or current Depo-Provera patient and are concerned about your health, speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

Are Intracranial Meningiomas Listed on the Warning Label for Depo-Provera?

No, not on warning labels in the United States at the moment. Up until recently, Pfizer never warned doctors or patients about the potential risk of developing brain tumors from the use of the birth control shot.

However, warning labels in Europe and Canada cite an increased risk of intracranial meningioma from using Depo-Provera.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Brain Tumors Caused by Depo-Provera Use?

Potentially, yes. If you developed an intracranial meningioma after using Depo-Provera, you may be able to sue Pfizer. The compensation can help you cover the cost of treating your brain tumor, managing any symptoms of the intracranial meningioma, and the condition’s effect on your daily life.

The lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. are ready to advocate for women whose lives have been changed just from using Depo-Provera as directed. We can help you hold the makers of the birth control shot accountable.

How Much Can I Win in a Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit?

This depends on a number of factors that are specific to your intracranial meningioma diagnosis and the impact the condition has had on your life and livelihood. Compensation in Depo shot cases will typically cover:

• Medical expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of your intracranial meningioma
• Loss of income and future earnings caused by your intracranial meningioma
• Changes in your quality of life associated with the development of intracranial meningiomas

During your free case evaluation with our team, we can review the ways your intracranial meningioma affected your life. Our Depo shot lawyers can help you understand the value of your legal claim.

If You Do Not Have Your Old Depo-Provera Prescription, We Can Find It for You

Many women took the birth control shot when they were much younger. It can take decades for an intracranial meningioma to develop. In the intervening years, women likely threw away their old prescriptions, and the medical facilities that administered the shots may have moved or closed down.

Accessing old prescription records can be challenging, but our law firm can help. The team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has investigators who can track down an old Depo-Provera prescription. Even if the clinic no longer exists, our team can find these records for you.

You do not need to have the prescription yourself to qualify for the birth control shot lawsuit. Women can trust our team to locate this information as we work on your claim.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation. Our law firm has offices located in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2008, our lawyers have represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex lawsuits throughout the country. This includes a $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Depo-Provera Attorney?

There is no upfront cost to hiring an attorney with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

In addition to offering free claim evaluations to Depo-Provera patients, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our attorneys anything unless and until we can recover money for you.

Our law firm is here to seek justice for Depo-Provera patients who’ve developed intracranial meningiomas. We can make sure you’re heard and hold Pfizer accountable.

Contact Our Law Firm to Learn About Intracranial Meningioma Lawsuits

If you developed an intracranial meningioma after using Depo-Provera, our lawyers can help you file a legal claim against Pfizer. Our attorneys can help ensure you have a voice and receive compensation for medical treatment and changes in your quality of life. For a free consultation with our birth control shot lawyers, contact us today.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.