NOTE: Our law firm does not handle medical malpractice cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.
Being diagnosed with cancer is a serious matter. It is crucial that you are diagnosed as quickly as possible so that you can receive treatment. Research shows that patients have a better chance of survival when doctors catch the cancer quickly.
Unfortunately, cancer misdiagnosis is a common factor in many medical malpractice claims. When physicians misdiagnose cancer, they place their patients in harm’s way.
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How Often Is Cancer Misdiagnosed?
Misdiagnosis of health conditions, including cancer, is a serious problem in the United States. One researcher estimates that twelve million patients are misdiagnosed each year.
One study recently found that nearly three-fourths of serious harms from diagnostic errors involved three disease categories – cancer, infections, and vascular events. Cancer accounted for 37.8 percent of the diagnostic errors leading to permanent disability or death (infections 13.5% and vascular events 22.8%).
What Types of Cancer Are Missed by Doctors?
Doctors may miss all types of cancer when they are negligent. Commonly misdiagnosed cancers include, but are not limited to:
- Skin cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
Cancer patients who do not receive a timely diagnosis can suffer extreme consequences. Sadly, many of the medical mistakes that lead to misdiagnosis can be avoided. Unfortunately, medical negligence is at the root of many medical malpractice cases involving cancer misdiagnosis.
What Are Common Causes of Cancer Misdiagnosis?
The reasons that a doctor might fail to diagnose cancer include mistakes, negligence, and intentional wrongdoing.
Some of the common factors that lead to a misdiagnosis case include:
- Delayed diagnosis because a doctor failed to make a timely referral to a specialist
- Improper collection of samples
- Failure to order diagnostic tests that can detect cancers including lung, breast, prostate, ovarian, brain, liver, colon, and other cancers
- Conducting the incorrect tests
- Diagnosing the wrong type of cancer
- Incorrect interpretations of the lab and diagnostic results
- Miscommunication between medical professionals
- Use of defective or poorly maintained equipment
- Failing to order required tests because the patient does not have insurance coverage
There are many reasons why a doctor may fail to diagnose cancer. But, sadly, the patient is always the one who suffers.
How Does a Cancer Misdiagnosis Impact the Patient?
Diagnosing cancer quickly can mean the difference between life and death. It could mean the difference between amputating a limb or saving it. It could mean avoiding surgery to remove internal organs or tissues due to a tumor.
Cancer that is not diagnosed can spread quickly throughout the body. It decreases the person’s chance of survival. It also increases the intensity of the cancer treatments and the medical expenses for the patient.
Viable treatment options decrease. When the person is told they have cancer, there may not be any viable treatment options. The only options left for medical care may be risky and have a high potential of permanent impairment.
Who is Responsible for Damages Caused by a Cancer Misdiagnosis?
Physicians, hospitals, diagnostic facilities, and other health care providers owe a duty of care to their patients. Failing to meet the standard of care for a given situation could be considered medical malpractice.
A thorough investigation into the factors that led to the cancer misdiagnosis is required to identify all responsible parties. For example, if a hospital made a mistake when performing an MRI, the hospital could be liable along with the treating physician.
The types of damages you could be entitled to receive include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Impairments and disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Ongoing medical, personal, and nursing care
- Reduction in quality of life
If you believe you have a medical malpractice claim, call us. We can refer you to a lawyer who handles these cases.