Why Are Cancer Misdiagnoses So Common?

These are the signs of lymphoma (see below) but they also apply to many common, and less severe, diseases.

Being diagnosed with cancer is a difficult and life-changing event. Perhaps the only thing worse than learning you have cancer is learning that your cancer was not properly diagnosed, which resulted in a delay in treatment. Cancer is always a severe diagnosis and is often life-threatening. When a doctor or a group of medical professionals fail to accurately and quickly diagnose your cancer, it prevents you from getting proper treatment to fight the cancer and extend your life. Unfortunately, cancer misdiagnoses occur every day. 

There are many things that can result in a misdiagnosis. However, the most common cause of a cancer misdiagnosis is a misread of a tissue sample (i.e., the pathology department). Another common cause is symptoms that are confused for other ailments, like a cold or infection. For example, symptoms like fever, weight loss, fatigue, and drenching night sweats. These are the signs of lymphoma (see below) but they also apply to many common, and less severe, diseases. This is why it is always important to get a second opinion—whether the initial diagnosis comes back positive or negative. Y ou don’t have to rely on one doctor’s opinion.

The most commonly misdiagnosed cancers are lymphoma, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and skin cancers. Notably, cancer misdiagnosis is more likely to happen in cases involving lesser-known or less common cancers .

If you or a loved one experiences cancer misdiagnosis, you may not know what to do. First, you should make sure that you or your loved one gets the treatment they need. Once the dust has settled, if you feel that the health care provider breached the standard of care which resulted in a cancer misdiagnosis, you may want to contact a medical malpractice attorney to evaluate your case. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation. While nothing can make up for the pain you suffered or the loss of a loved one, it can help to pay medical bills, long-term expenses, burial expenses, and compensate for lost income and household services. 

Do you believe that you or your loved one has suffered as a result of medical malpractice or medical neglect? If so, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Cardaro & Peek, LLC today. 

The lawyers at Cardaro & Peek, LLC have the experience and resources necessary to investigate and litigate all types of medical claims throughout Maryland and Washington D.C. Cardaro & Peek, LLC has medical personnel on staff and has access to nationally recognized, board-certified physicians and other experts, to assist in the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of all types of medical malpractice claims. If you or a loved one have experienced malpractice, give us a call at 410-752-6166. Please visit our website www.cardarolaw.com and follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and LinkedIn for more information.

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