Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawsuits
Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawsuits
In order to properly diagnose cancer, doctors and medical professionals rely on a battery of sophisticated tests and warning signs. Unfortunately, while medical technology has progressed a great deal over the last few decades, no system of diagnosis is foolproof or 100% accurate. Mistakes by machines and medical personnel can cause errors in diagnosis that can destroy a life in an instant.
There are many different forms of cancer, some of which are treatable and others malignant. There are also a correspondingly high number of symptoms cancer patients may suffer from. Tragically, these symptoms sometimes are ignored or misdiagnosed by doctors, making successful treatment more difficult. Most cancers are fatal if untreated, so it is absolutely imperative that doctors recognize and monitor symptoms early in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, and the most common cancer in females around the world. In fact, experts speculate that 12 out of 13 women in the Western world will develop some form of breast cancer if they live to age 90. Men are also affected by this deadly disease, although the rates are significantly less than in women.
The misdiagnosis of breast cancer can result in unnecessary stress and surgery that can dramatically affect one's life. When doctors examine a patient for breast cancer they must also take into consideration other medical diagnoses that could cause similar conditions such as benign breast disease, breast cyst, breast abscess, fibrocystic breasts, breast fibroadenoma, mastititis, and gynecomastia. Additionally, it is important for patients to realize that not all breast lumps are abnormal. Some breast lumps may occur from the natural processes of aging, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, and hormonal changes. A physician must take all these factors into consideration to avoid a breast cancer misdiagnosis.
Colon cancer causes tumors that develop along the colon, rectum, appendix, and other parts of the lower digestive tract. It is the third most common type of cancer, and the second most common cause of death due to cancer in the Western world. Even though it is an incredibly common cancer, it often baffles inexperienced or careless medical personnel because few people understand the different ways it can develop.
Colon cancer ranks 5th in medical malpractice lawsuits, with most claims arising from the failure to diagnosis the cancer early enough. Colon cancer has no early symptoms, and physicians must be vigilant in their communication with patients to ensure that any symptoms are addressed as early as possible. Colon polyp is a similar condition to colon cancer, and can sometimes result in misdiagnosis. The misdiagnosis of colon cancer can result in unnecessary medical expenses, painful surgical procedures, and unparalleled stress for patients and their families. It is important for doctors to move forward with the highest level of certainty when considering a diagnosis of colon cancer.
Few people realize that the skin is the largest organ in the human body. Consequently, when a disease such as cancer begins to affect this critical and delicate organ it can cause a number of serious and fatal health effects. Skin cancers such as melanoma and carcinoma can quickly ravage the body and spread their deadly and diseased cells to other organs and systems.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the country today, with more than one million new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. However, it is extremely important for doctors to consider all other medical conditions that could cause similar skin cancer symptoms to avoid misdiagnosis. A misdiagnosis of skin cancer can not only give the disease more time to spread, it can also force victims to undergo unnecessary, expensive, and painful treatment for what are in fact benign conditions.
The development of X-ray photography towards the end of the 19th century heralded a revolution in medical diagnosis, as doctors could now ascertain the condition of internal structures without resorting to dangerous and ineffective exploratory surgery. While X-rays granted doctors new insight into the body, if read improperly they can prevent doctors from recognizing and treating dangerous conditions like lung, skin, or breast cancers.
X-rays may be misread for a variety of reasons, with often tragic consequences. In some cases, radiologists and doctors may disagree with a diagnosis. Alternatively, the wrong body part may be evaluated for diagnosis, or a false negative can be rendered by a needle biopsy.
Misread x-rays can lead directly to medical malpractice cases. Physicians have a responsibility to patients in evaluating x-rays with a meticulous eye and proceeding with medical treatment accordingly. When established procedures are not carefully followed, patients become victims and are made to suffer as a result of a doctor's inadequacy or carelessness.
Computed Axial Tomography, or CAT or CT scans, are one of the most innovative medical tests available today. Doctors use high powered X-rays to take a three dimensional photograph of internal structures in order to detect damage or injury not easily detected through simple X-rays or direct observation. The first CT scans were performed in the early 1970s, and virtually all major medical centers around the world have access to these amazing devices
The CT scan has proven very useful in the medical profession for its ability to create three dimensional images of an object’s internal qualities. CT scans may be used in the abdominal and pelvic regions, the cardiac and chest areas, the cranial part of the body, and extremities. For each of these body areas, CT scans can supplement x-rays by providing information that can contribute to a more accurate diagnosis for a number of afflictions.
Although CT scans have benefits, they also have potential problems associated with their use. Depending on the area being evaluated, misread CT scans have occurred in as many as one-third of all cases. This suggests that one out of every three CT scans may be incorrectly evaluated, resulting in misdiagnosis and complications.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technology that creates images of the inside of organs. These images can be used to diagnose and help treat a variety of medical conditions throughout the body. MRI's have an advantage over CT scans because they do not produce ionizing radiation that can increase the chance of malignancy. Although they may seem safer than CT scans, MRI's are still not perfect. When MRI's are misread, doctors may incorrectly perform surgery that could ultimately result in more harm than good. A common example of this are knee injuries that could be treated without surgery. The results of these operations are more pain and additional medical expenses.
The primary role of a diagnostician is to combine their experience, knowledge, and wisdom with their equipment to develop an accurate assessment of a patient’s condition. These medical professionals take the myriad number of factors and variables and deduce the possible cause for an affliction or illness, and advise other doctors on avenues of potential treatment. It is often up to the doctor to determine not only which tests are appropriate for the condition but also which tests will cause the least amount of undue suffering to the patient.
Doctors have a responsibility to carefully evaluate their patients. Part of the evaluation process includes ordering necessary tests that can contribute to an accurate and timely diagnosis. When these tests are not addressed, for any reason, patients become victims and their lives are put into jeopardy. In the past, the failure of doctors to order tests and perform complete medical evaluations has had alarming consequences. Patients have experienced misdiagnoses, unnecessary surgeries, amputations, and even death from these short-sighted mistakes. It is both tragic and preventable when these forms of malpractice occur.
If you or someone you care about has been victim of a cancer misdiagnosis, an attorney can help you fight for justice. An experienced and understanding lawyer will explain your legal rights and help you navigate the law to obtain the compensation you deserve. Nobody deserves to receive poor quality health care. Discuss your case with an attorney today.
