Fairfax, VA Cancer Malpractice Attorney

Skilled Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorneys Protecting Injured Patients in Fairfax, Virginia

When treating cancer, timing can be crucial. When cancer is detected at an early stage, while it is localized, it may be manageable. However, when cancer is not identified until after it has spread to surrounding organs or body parts, it can be life-threatening. When a medical professional fails to diagnose cancer in a timely manner, misidentifies cancer as another condition, or provides negligent care during cancer treatment, patients can pay the price with their health and sometimes with their lives.

Medical malpractice cases involving cancer can be devastating. In these cases, the team at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can help patients determine how to address the harm they have suffered due to negligent medical care. Our lawyer will work to hold the responsible parties accountable for the injuries that patients have suffered, ensuring that financial compensation will be paid to address a person's damages.

Why Early Diagnosis of Cancer Is Important

Most forms of cancer are more treatable when they are identified at an early stage. Surgery will be more likely to be effective when a tumor is small and localized. Chemotherapy and radiation may be used in a less aggressive manner when cancer has not yet spread. The survival rates for many of the most common cancers, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma, are higher when the disease is caught early compared to when it is discovered at an advanced stage.

Every month that cancer goes undiagnosed may allow the disease to progress. A tumor that could have been removed at an early stage may require chemotherapy, radiation, and more extensive surgery at a later stage. Cancer that was curable at the time it should have been diagnosed may no longer be curable by the time it is finally identified.

Reasons Why Cancer May Be Misdiagnosed or Diagnosed Late

The misdiagnosis of cancer may occur because of a variety of errors during the treatment process, including:

Failure to Recognize Warning Signs and Symptoms

Many cancers have symptoms that might seem to be caused by less serious conditions. A persistent cough might be attributed to allergies or a respiratory infection. Unexplained weight loss might be attributed to stress or dietary changes. Fatigue might be attributed to overwork or sleep disorders. A doctor who accepts these explanations without investigating further or who does not consider a patient's age, medical history, risk factors, or symptoms may miss the opportunity to identify a cancer at an earlier stage.

Failure to Order Appropriate Screening and Diagnostic Testing

Medical guidelines recommend cancer screening tests for people at certain ages or who have certain risk factors. Colonoscopies may be used for colorectal cancer screening, mammograms may be used for breast cancer screening, CT scans may be used for lung cancer screening, and Pap smears may be used for cervical cancer screening. A doctor who does not recommend or order appropriate tests may fail to diagnose cancer that should have been detected.

Other types of diagnostic testing may be used when a patient has symptoms that need to be evaluated further. A patient reporting blood in their stool may be evaluated for colorectal cancer. A patient with a breast lump may need to receive imaging tests or a biopsy. A patient with a persistent, unexplained cough and a history of smoking may receive imaging to check for lung cancer. A doctor who does not order the appropriate diagnostic tests may fail to recognize cancer.

Misinterpretation of Test Results

Radiologists who review imaging studies, pathologists who analyze biopsies, and other specialists who evaluate diagnostic results may fail to recognize cancer, which can lead to a misdiagnosis. A radiologist who misreads a mammogram and fails to identify a suspicious mass or a pathologist who misclassifies a biopsy specimen can cause a cancer diagnosis to be delayed.

Primary care physicians and other providers may also misinterpret test results, or they may fail to follow up on abnormal results. A doctor may review an imaging report and fail to take action to address a suspicious finding, leading to a delayed diagnosis of cancer that should have been recognized.

Failure to Consider Family History and Genetic Risk

A patient with a history of cancer in their family may require additional screening to address potential risks. When a doctor fails to obtain a family medical history or fails to consider a person's family history during their diagnosis, they may not take the proper steps to identify cancer.

Other Forms of Cancer Malpractice

Patients may also suffer harm due to medical malpractice that takes place after being diagnosed with cancer. The treatment of cancer can be complex, and it involves significant risks. The failure to follow the proper standards of care during treatment can cause a patient to suffer serious harm. Malpractice in these cases may include:

Surgical Errors

Surgery may be performed to remove a tumor or for other purposes. Surgical errors may occur during these procedures, such as failing to fully remove cancerous tissue, causing unnecessary damage to surrounding tissue, or making mistakes that cause bleeding or infections.

Errors in Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatment

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are powerful treatments, but they must be performed correctly based on a patient's condition, the specific type and stage of cancer being treated, and the person's body weight and other factors. A chemotherapy dose that is too high can cause toxicity that may result in severe or potentially fatal injuries. A dose that is too low may be ineffective at controlling cancer. Radiation therapy may be directed at the wrong site, or it may be delivered at an incorrect dose, causing damage to healthy tissue while failing to adequately treat cancer.

Failure to Discuss Treatment Options and Obtain Informed Consent

Cancer treatment may involve options that carry different risks, benefits, and implications for a person's quality of life. A patient who has not been fully informed about their treatment options and the potential risks and benefits may not be able to make decisions about what would be best for them. A medical provider may be held responsible for harm a person has suffered due to the failure to obtain informed consent.

Contact Our Fairfax, VA Cancer Malpractice Lawyer

When a person has suffered serious harm due to an incorrect cancer diagnosis or mishandled cancer treatment, the lawyer at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can help them understand their legal options. He will work to ensure that providers will be held responsible for medical malpractice that has resulted in injuries. Contact our Fairfax cancer misdiagnosis attorney at 703-591-0067 to schedule a free consultation.