Cancer that affects the lower part of a woman’s uterus, or cervix, is known as cervical cancer and it is diagnosed in more than 11,000 women each year in the United States. Cervical cancer can be successfully treated when diagnosed early. However, misdiagnosis of cervical cancer can delay treatment, usually resulting in a significantly reduced survival rate and sometimes death.

At Burke & Eisner, our attorneys represent the victims of cervical cancer misdiagnosis. Contact our firm today if you would like to speak with a medical malpractice attorney for a free claim evaluation.

How Cervical Cancer Is Diagnosed

Women who are sexually active should receive regular Pap smears. Though a Pap smear is not a diagnostic test, it can be used to identify abnormal cells. If abnormal cells are present, the physician should order further testing to make a positive diagnosis. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Colposcopy – the doctor uses an instrument called a colposcope to look at the cervix and see more clearly areas of abnormal cell growth
• Biopsy – a sample of abnormal tissue is taken from the cervix for testing
• Endocervical scraping – a specialized instrument is used to scrape tissue lining the endocervical canal, an area the doctor cannot reach with the colposcope
• Cone biopsy – a cone-shaped piece of tissue is removed from the cervix

Failure to administer diagnostic tests or to interpret the results properly can postpone effective treatment options and have devastating consequences for the patient.

How Misdiagnosis of Cervical Cancer Occurs

A misdiagnosis of cervical cancer may occur because:

• The doctor fails to recognize symptoms of cervical cancer, thereby failing to perform the tests necessary for diagnosis
• The doctor fails to obtain a full patient history, which is important for identifying risk factors such as Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
• Lab results are misinterpreted
• A laboratory error causes the patient’s results to be confused with another patient’s

Misdiagnosis can take several forms, including delayed diagnosis, missed diagnosis, and wrong diagnosis.

Each of these types of misdiagnosis carries particular consequences. For instance, patients who are wrongly diagnosed with cervical cancer when they don’t have cancer suffer unnecessary and painful treatments. Those whose cancer is missed altogether may never receive the treatment they need to survive.

Have You Been Misdiagnosed?

Victims of a cervical cancer misdiagnosis can take legal action to hold the negligent party(s) accountable. Depending on the unique circumstances of the case, an individual may able to obtain compensation for losses such as medical costs, pain and suffering, and emotional anguish.

To learn more about your legal rights if you have been misdiagnosed, contact Burke & Eisner today. We’ll be happy to evaluate your case, answer your legal questions and inform you of your rights.

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    --  Use the Contact Us form located on the Instant Answer Page

    --  Call us:  1-800-838-0800

 See Also:

• Medical Attorney
• Medical Lawsuits

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