Cancer Misdiagnosis

Cancer Can Be Beaten When Caught Early

When a doctor fails to order appropriate tests, misinterprets results, or dismisses a patient’s symptoms, the consequences can be devastating. When cancer is diagnosed late, the disease has a chance to progress to an advanced stage which can limit treatment options and reduce life expectancy. Early detection is critical to obtaining the best outcome.

Localized versus Metastatic

In general, any cancer with a known progression pathway from early, localized disease to advanced or metastatic disease is significantly impacted by delays. Metastatic refers to cancer that has spread from its original location. For example, if someone is diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, it means the cancer started in the breast but has now spread to the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. This process is called metastasis. Metastatic cancer is generally more serious and harder to treat than cancer that is caught early and remains localized.

A delay in diagnosis can impact all types of cancer, but it tends to make the biggest difference in cancers that grow rapidly and have effective early-stage treatments. When it comes to cancer, prompt testing, accurate interpretation of results, and timely referrals are critical components of appropriate care.

Cancers Most Effected by Delay

Some of the cancers most affected by diagnostic delay include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer. When these cancers are caught early, the prognosis is good for most individuals.

A delay in diagnosis can make a significant difference to the result in many types of cancer, including skin cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian/uterine cancer and breast cancer. When there is a delay in diagnosis, the chances of survival may be seriously diminished. Treatment is often more aggressive and may include surgery or more extensive surgery than would have been necessary had the cancer been caught earlier.

Proving the Delay Made a Difference

Obtaining compensation in cases where there has been a delay in diagnosis or error in treatment can be challenging. Not every delay makes a difference. Sometimes, the patient’s treatment and prognosis does not change even when the cancer is caught early.

Here to Help

We understand how overwhelming it can be to learn that a diagnosis was missed when timely treatment could have made a difference. Our team works with top medical experts to assess whether your care met accepted standards and to build a strong case for accountability and compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a misdiagnosis, we are here to help you seek justice.