The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a major safety update to the label of Depo-Provera, a widely used birth control injection.
Nearly 2,000 women have filed lawsuits against Pfizer, alleging they developed a type of brain tumor known as meningiomas and claiming such were caused by Depo-Provera.
According to MD Anderson, meningioma is a tumor that forms on the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges.
While most meningiomas are benign, about 20 percent grow more aggressively and fewer than 3 percent are cancerous. The symptoms can include persistent headaches, seizures, personality changes, weakness or numbness in the face or limbs, and vision problems.
