Cervical Cancer and Misdiagnosis
Cervical cancer is the cancer that affects the lower part of a woman’s uterus, the cervix, and is diagnosied in more that 11,000 US women each year. Successful treatment is possible when cervical cancer is diagnosed early. The misdiagnosis of cervical cancer can cause a delay in treatment which then main result in a reduced survival rate and possibly death.
Attorneys represent the victims of cervical cancer misdiagnosis. Contact a law firm for a free claim evaluation and to speak with a medical malpractice attorney.
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. When abnormal cells are present, The doctor will order more tests to get a clear diagnosis. 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 misdiagnoses will carry 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 facts of the case, a person may be able to obtain compensation for losses related to medical care, pain and suffering both physical and emotional.
To learn more about your legal rights if you have been misdiagnosed, contact a medical attorney today. They will happily evaluate your case, answer questions related to legal issues and inform you of your legal rights.
