Cancer Misdiagnosis

Some studies suggest that cancer is misdiagnosed in 20 percent of all cases. For a patient misdiagnosed with cancer, the misdiagnosis could mean that the patient does not have cancer at all or has an entirely different kind of cancer than the one diagnosed. For someone afflicted with cancer but misdiagnosed as being cancer-free, the patient will unnecessarily experience a delay in needed treatments and procedures.

In most cases, patients misdiagnosed with cancer can sue for damages to compensate unnecessary treatments, pain, and suffering.

Reasons for Cancer Misdiagnosis

• A doctor is careless in doing tests or interpreting the results of those tests.
• The equipment used for the diagnosis has a high margin of error. Some studies suggest that some machines for detecting cancer have a 30 percent margin of error.
• The doctor incorrectly identifies a tumor as malignant.
• The doctor fails to follow up with the patient when the doctor suspects cancer.
• The doctor fails to screen increased risk patients.

Results of a Cancer Misdiagnosis

A patient who receives a cancer misdiagnosis not only suffers unnecessarily but also may undergo unnecessary treatments and procedures until the mistake is realized. These procedures could include chemotherapy, which is both expensive and can have serious side effects.

For patients who receive a healthy diagnosis but actually have cancer, the misdiagnosis could cost the patient valuable time for treatment and procedures. In some cases, unnecessarily delaying a cancer diagnosis could lead to death.

Contact Us

If you or anyone you know has been misdiagnosed with cancer, contact the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511.