Misdiagnosis of Cervical Cancer
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. When diagnosed early, cervical cancer can be treated successfully. The misdiagnosis of cervical cancer can cause a delay in treatment which then main result in a reduced survival rate and possibly death.
Attorneys will represent victims of misdiagnosis of cervical cancer. Contact a law firm 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. A pap smear, though not a diagnostic test, can be used to identify cells that are not normal. The physician will need to order further testing for a clear diagnosis if the cells that are present area abnormal. 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. Patients suffer unnecessary and painful treatments when they are wrongly diagnosed with cervical cancer that they do not have. When the cancer is missed completely, the individual does not receive the treatment they may 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 a medical attorney today. They will answer any legal questions that you have, evaluate your case and let you know what rights you have.
Tags: cancer, medical malpractice, medical malpractice attorney, misdiagnosis, misdiagnosis of cervical cancer