Cancer Misdiagnosis From Oregon Medical Malpractice

In 2021, it is projected that there will be approximately 1,898,160 new cancer cases as well as 608,570 cancer deaths. Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. While cancer often isn’t necessarily preventable, a timely diagnosis can help increase a person’s survival rate. People go to see their doctors in an attempt to stay healthy and treat any problems that may occur. Unfortunately, there are times when physicians and other healthcare providers may fail to diagnose certain conditions such as cancer. Failure to diagnose cancer can lead to a significantly poorer prognosis, or even death for the patient. If a patient does survive, they may have permanent consequences of their delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis, such as a permanent colostomy bag or necessary organ removal. When a patient suffers due to a delay in diagnosis at the fault of a healthcare provider, this is considered to be negligence. A cancer misdiagnosis from Oregon medical malpractice could be serious and fatal.

 

Cancer Misdiagnosis Explained

 

Unfortunately, cancer misdiagnosis is more common than one may think. People may spend weeks, months or more waiting for their diagnosis. Sadly, by the time the are diagnosed, the cancer has often spread further, making their cancer either significantly harder to treat, or incurable. Doctors and other healthcare providers may fail to diagnose cancer for a variety of reasons, but there is never a good reason for a cancer misdiagnosis as it can completely alter or even shorten a person’s life. 

 

Most Common Cancers That are Misdiagnosed

 

Any cancer is capable of receiving a misdiagnosis, but some cancers may be more commonly misdiagnosed for a variety of reasons. Examples of the most commonly misdiagnosed cancers include the following:

 

• Prostate cancer
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Kidney cancer 
• Melanoma
• Esophageal cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Colorectal cancer

 

Medical Malpractice Related Causes of Cancer Misdiagnosis

 

There are many causes for a cancer misdiagnosis, including the following:

 

• Failure to obtain a full medical history
• Failure to listen to patients complaints
• Failure to or delay in ordering testing
• Diagnosing the cancer as something less benign
• Improper conduction of testing
• Misinterpretation of test results
• Failure to communicate from physician to physician
• Failure to refer to the appropriate physician (i.e. Oncologist/Hematologist)
• Diagnosing the patient with the wrong type of cancer, leading to the patient receiving the wrong treatment as well as a delay in treatment for the type of cancer they have
• Carelessness on part of the physician or other healthcare provider

 

These are just a few examples as to how a patient may suffer a delay in diagnosis due to poor medical care. Any time a patient experiences a cancer misdiagnosis or delay in diagnosis, it affects them greatly. Patients may end up dying as the result of a delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis, or they may experience devastating consequences, leading to a poor quality of life as well as emotional distress.

 

Cancer Misdiagnosis from Oregon Medical Malpractice

 

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.

 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.

 

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.