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| Is Cancer
Misdiagnosis More Common Than You Thought?
It is estimated that nearly 12
percent of all cancer diagnoses nationwide may be in error.
The authors of a study published in the journal Cancer
concluded that roughly 12 percent of cancer patients are
initially misdiagnosed.
Other studies report error rates ranging from 1.4 percent in
cancer biopsies to a high of 20-40 percent in emergency or
intensive care unit (ICU) facilities.
An October 2006 study found that women older than 70 are "underdiagnosed,
understaged, and undertreated" for cancer. Women in the
older age group make up fully one-third of all breast cancer
patients. |
The reasons for cancer
misdiagnosis vary. They
may be the result of errors by doctors, specialists and laboratory
tests. Types of misdiagnoses range from a totally wrong diagnosis to
a partial misdiagnosis as to the wrong subtype, underlying
condition, medication causes, related conditions or complications. |
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Imagine this:
On your annual trip to the
family physician, you’re given a clean bill of health, despite
feeling a little ill. You return a month later, and a second blood
test reveals abnormal cells. You are referred to an oncologist, who
takes blood and tissue samples.
The
call comes: The tissue
biopsies showed that yes, malignant cells are present. You have
cancer.And you’ve had
it for more than a year.
A wrong diagnosis of cancer is seldom
intentional, but a lack of intent is of little or no comfort to
those confronted with the life-altering judgment of cancer. And
there’s also the perhaps even more frightening possibility that a
positive cancer diagnosis is missed.
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Cancer
misdiagnosis can most frequently be attributed to:
- A non-cancerous (or benign)
tumor is identified as malignant (cancerous).
- A cancerous lesion is missed in
the biopsy procedure.
- A malignant mass is diagnosed as
benign.
- Failure to refer a patient to a
specialist for further testing.
- A malignant tumor is
misclassified as to type or misgraded as to aggressiveness.
- Specimens are mishandled by
pathology, or improperly read or interpreted.
- Failure to follow up with a
patient if cancer should have been suspected.
- Failure to adequately screen for
increased risk patients.
- Failure to understand or notice
the nature of a patient’s complaints.
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What Is the Error Rate for
Mammograms?
What About Ultrasound or Other Methods?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and 10 percent of all
women will suffer breast cancer in their lives. Unfortunately many doctors
misdiagnose breast cancer as something less dangerous, a mistake that can
cause devastating consequences.
Even though educational programs have increased awareness of breast cancer
and the importance of early detection, doctors and hospitals still
misdiagnose this condition.
Breast cancer in younger women is
particularly aggressive, and these women are the most likely to be
misdiagnosed.
At this time, mammography is still the modality of choice for screening
early breast cancer. Ultrasound, ductography and magnetic resonance are
adjuncts to mammography, which remains the “gold standard.” Mammography has
a false-negative (missed cancer) rate of at least 10 percent. This is partly
due to dense tissue obscuring the cancer and the fact that the appearance of
cancer on mammograms has a large overlap with the appearance of normal
tissues.
Ultrasound is typically used for further evaluation of masses found on
mammography or palpable masses not seen on mammograms. Ductograms are useful
for evaluation of bloody nipple discharge when the mammogram is
non-diagnostic. An MRI can be useful for further evaluation of questionable
findings, or sometimes for pre-surgical evaluation to look for additional
lesions.
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Being
misdiagnosed with cancer can be
one of the single most devastating experiences of a person's life. Patients
who are misdiagnosed are often subjected to unnecessary, harmful, painful
and expensive treatments. One of the first issues for a newly diagnosed
patient is to consider whether the diagnosis is correct. It is important to
validate a diagnosis and be certain of its accuracy. Be prudent, and attempt
to confirm a diagnosis via methods such as seeking second opinions,
consulting specialists, getting further medical tests, and researching
information about the medical condition.
When a positive
cancer diagnosis is missed, the
consequences can be deadly. Wrongful deaths caused by cancer misdiagnosis
are on the rise and are hurting patients' chances for a long survival rate.
For example, a woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer in its early stages
will survive at least 5 years longer. When cancer is diagnosed after the
disease has progressed, more drastic forms of treatment such as higher
dosages of radiation and chemotherapy are required. Such intense treatments
are not only painful and debilitating, but cause added expenses for the
patient who is already buried in medical bills.
Have You Been
Misdiagnosed?
Each year thousands of people are
misdiagnosed with cancer. If your doctor has made such a
mistake, and that mistake caused you to experience serious
medical problems, you may have cause to take legal action. You,
the patient, should not be paying for your doctor's mistakes or
negligence.
Contact us online or 1-888-4-MEDLAW. |
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Are Some Cancers More Susceptible to Misdiagnosis?
Cancer is a complicated disease that can
occur in virtually every part of the body.
Many cases of cancer are
preventable or can be completely treated – "if" a proper and early
diagnosis is made.
Delay in treatment will affect survival rates and the
quality of life that a patient experiences.
There are certain types of
cancer that respond especially well to early treatment and diagnosis in
most cases. They include Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer,
Colon Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Testicular Cancer, and
Kidney Cancer.
Have You Been
Misdiagnosed?
Each year thousands of people are
misdiagnosed with cancer. If your doctor has made such a
mistake, and that mistake caused you to experience serious
medical problems, you may have cause to take legal action. You,
the patient, should not be paying for your doctor's mistakes or
negligence.
Contact us online or 1-888-4-MEDLAW. We may advise
you to request a full copy of your medical records as soon as
possible. Our MedLaw Legal Team physician / lawyer team will
review your medical records and will promptly let you know if
you have a case.
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Recommended Links
National Cancer Institute – Comprehensive information on cancer
types and diagnosis information.
Mammography: Search for a Certified Facility --
This list of FDA Certified Mammography Facilities is updated weekly.
American Cancer Society –
Nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization.
FindCancerExperts.com – A network of pathologists that serves as a
referral source for patients, family members and health care providers.
American Society of Clinical Oncology – A
non-profit organization
that supports all types of cancer research.
FDA Cancer Liaison Program – Information
about the Federal Drug
Administration (FDA) drug approval process, cancer clinical trials and
access to investigational therapies.
Mayo Clinic Cancer Action Plan – This site offers a plan on how to
proceed once a cancer diagnosis is made.
Cancer Care, Inc. – Professional support for people affected by
cancer.
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation – Information on research,
education, screening and treatment for breast cancer.
Misdiagnosis of Cancer – Medical news summaries about cancer and
information.
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