The Impact of Cancer Misdiagnosis

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be frightening and life-changing.  But what happens when the correct diagnosis is missed or delayed?  As many as 12% of the nearly 1.5 million cancer cases each year are missed by doctors.  That’s an estimated 180,000 people annually.  It’s no wonder there are a steady number of cancer misdiagnosis lawsuits filed each year.

Sometimes the disease is diagnosed as another condition altogether, other times it is missed entirely.  There are even cases in which a doctor incorrectly diagnoses a patient with cancer when they are not actually suffering from the disease.  In any of these situations, the impact can be nothing short of catastrophic.

Cancer misdiagnosis can occur in any number of ways, including:

• The doctor failed to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease
• The doctor failed to refer the patient to the appropriate specialist
• The doctor or specialist failed to order the proper tests
• The doctor did not properly biopsy the area in question
• The doctor or specialist failed to correctly interpret test results

The outcome of a cancer misdiagnosis can be anywhere from dangerous to life-threatening.  If a patient’s cancer is misdiagnosed as something different, or missed altogether, the delay in required treatment can mean further progression of the disease and even a shortening of the patient’s lifespan.  In cases where a patient is wrongly diagnosed with having cancer, they may be subjected to dangerous and unnecessary treatments or surgery, which can cause them further illness and harm.

People who have been a victim of cancer misdiagnosis, whatever the reason, may have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor or specialist responsible for the error.  Medical attorneys who represent these victims typically seek monetary damages for things such as medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability or disfigurement, and pain and suffering.