Massachusetts Medical Malpractice – Failure to Diagnose Malignant Tumor
A failure to diagnose a malignant tumor can have fatal consequences. Any negligence on the doctor’s part could lead to heavy doses of chemotherapy and radiation. If anyone has been a victim of such type of negligence, s/he should contact the law firm of Parker Scheer immediately to schedule a consultation. A failure to diagnose a malignant tumor could be the reason for an otherwise preventable death.
Cancer cells exist in the human body normally. The disease known as cancer occurs when these cells start to grow and divide out of control. When they continue to divide and multiply when no more is necessary, this is how a tumor is formed. Tumors can be benign (non–cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). If the cancer cells travel into the bloodstream or invade nearby tissue, other tumors may form. This spreading of cancer is called metastasis.
When a lump or tumor is detected, the doctor must perform a biopsy. A biopsy is when a piece of the affected area is removed surgically. It is then tested in a laboratory to find out if the tumor is malignant or not. If the tumor is painful, large, or uncomfortable, the surgeon will most likely remove the entire mass. Biopsies can be misread, or are not done correctly – for example, when the doctor who performed the procedure failed to take a sample from the affected area.
How does this type of negligence happen? The failure to diagnose a malignant tumor occurs more often than people may think. In fact, doctors commonly fail to diagnose the following types of cancer: breast, cervical, colon, esophageal, and prostate cancer. When this occurs, the patient must now endure long, painful, and nauseating treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. For example, in the case of pancreatic cancer, there is only a four percent survival rate. It is one of the deadliest cancers known, with one of the lowest survival rates. If a doctor does not catch pancreatic cancer in its earliest stage then the patient will most likely suffer through a horrible period of illness and die very quickly – usually within five years of the original diagnosis.
Find Out If You Have A Medical Malpractice Injury Case
If you believe you or someone you love has been the victim of medical malpractice, you should talk to an experienced lawyer about your case. Parker Scheer lawyers have successfully negotiated and tried dozens of Massachusetts medical malpractice and personal injury cases, recovering millions of dollars for their clients. Please contact us for a free confidential case review and receive a response within hours, or call (617) 886-0500. If you need a lawyer outside of Massachusetts or Nevada, please contact us for a referral.
