Prompt diagnosis of cancer, such as urinary cancer, is critical to optimizing the outcome. As cancer grows, the likelihood of spread, or metastasis, increases. Once cancer spreads from an early treatable stage to an advanced stage, the likelihood of cure diminishes. Depending on the type of cancer, an advanced stage may markedly reduce the chance [...]
Medical negligence claims often arise from a delay in diagnosis of cancer. These types of claims involve a number of scenarios, including the following: (1) failure of a physician to properly screen a patient for certain cancers based on screening guidelines; (2) ignoring signs or symptoms of cancer; (3) misinterpretation of test results; (4) miscommunication [...]
The number of skin cancer lawsuits continues to rise. Part of the reason for this increase is that the incidence of malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma is on the rise. According to new figures released by Cancer Research UK, there has been approximately a 10-fold increase in the number of retirees diagnosed with [...]
Cancer of the head and neck can affect the mouth, tongue, tonsil, throat (oropharynx), salivary glands, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx (voicebox), and lymph nodes in the neck. Cancers of the brain, eye, thyroid gland, scalp, skin, muscles, and head bones occur in the head and neck are not usually included in this group. Over 100 [...]
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is more common in patients with cancer. In addition, patients with malignancy who develop PE are more likely to have a recurrence of the condition. In many cases, PE and related deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be prevented in cancer patients. In such circumstances, a physician's failure to take precautionary measures may [...]
Delay in diagnosis of lung cancer is a common basis for medical malpractice claims in the State of Ohio. Results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) published recently in the journal Cancer show that screening of smokers for lung cancer saves lives. In fact, screening of all eligible heavy smokers has the potential to prevent about 12,000 deaths each year [...]
A delay in diagnosis of cancer can spell disaster for young women with breast cancer. Physicians often miss a breast cancer diagnosis in young women because of a simple bias that the disease usually affects only older women. This is just not true. It is well-known that breast cancer can afflict younger women (usually defined as women [...]
Over 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer occur in the U.S. each year. About 4,000 women die annually from the disease. In an effort to improve timely diagnosis of the disease, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) published updated guidelines on cervical cancer screening. These guidelines parallel recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American [...]
I find news stories like this very disconcerting. Researchers at Harvard Medical School report that tanning bed use increases the risk of malignant melanoma. The increased risk is particularly prevalent among younger sunbed users. To me, this means that there will be an increase in claims arising out of a delay in diagnosis of this dangerous skin cancer. Here's [...]
A delay in diagnosis of cancer may cause a patient's prognosis to go from bad to worse. When it comes to lung cancer, this maxim holds true. Recognizing that earlier detection of lung cancer saves lives, the American Association for Thoracic Surgery published updated guidelines for screening high risk patients in order to catch evidence of [...]