Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis
Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Explained
Hearing the words cervical cancer can be terrifying and life-altering. In many cases, when cervical cancer is caught early, doctors can successfully treat it. However, when cancer is undiagnosed, undetected, or incorrectly diagnosed, these events can harm the victim, resulting in catastrophic results.
The medical malpractice lawyers at the Villari Firm offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the facts of your case. With more than two decades of experience in fighting for the rights of medical malpractice victims, Heidi Villari and her team want to help you seek justice.
If you suspect that you received substandard medical care, call 215-372-8889 or contact us online. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.
Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
Cervical cancer is serious and can have a long-term impact on a person’s health. Receiving a cervical cancer misdiagnosis makes it even more devastating. The Villari Firm represents clients misdiagnosed with cervical cancer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one has received a wrong diagnosis for your illness, seek legal help immediately!
Personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling cervical cancer misdiagnosis, other cancer cases, and medical malpractice cases.
We understand how emotionally and physically burdensome receiving an incorrect medical diagnosis can be, and we will do everything in our power to help you through this difficult time. Our attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of a cervical cancer misdiagnosis, please contact us today for a free consultation. We would be honored to help you through this difficult time.
Why do I need a Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney in Pennsylvania?
A good Pennsylvania cervical cancer misdiagnosis attorney possesses several characteristics. They should be:
- Knowledgeable about personal injury law,
- Experienced in handling similar cancer cases, medical errors, and medical negligence,
- Have a track record of success, and
- Be kind and understanding since cervical cancer is a sensitive and personal issue.
At The Villari Firm, we are proud to say that our attorney meets all of these criteria. We have a team of highly experienced and successful Philadelphia cervical cancer misdiagnosis attorneys who have helped many patients get the best possible outcome in their cases.
If you or someone you love has been misdiagnosed with cervical cancer, we encourage you to contact us for help. We will fight tirelessly to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
What is Cervical Cancer?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
Still, many women with cervical cancer do not experience any symptoms in their early stages. Cervical cancer is often caught early through routine Pap tests and Human Papillomavirus (HPV Test). However, cervical cancer can still be misdiagnosed or have a delayed diagnosis.
Most cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is a very common virus that is spread through sexual contact. There are many types of HPV, and not all cause cervical cancer. In fact, most HPV infections go away on their own. But some types of HPV can cause abnormal changes in cervical cells, which sometimes lead to cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. That’s because there are cervical cancer screening tests that can find abnormal cervical cells before they turn into cancer. And some vaccines can prevent HPV infections. But even with these advances, cervical cancer is still a problem in the United States.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cervical cancer, it’s important to understand all your treatment options. And if you have been misdiagnosed with cervical cancer, you may want to speak with a Pennsylvania cervical cancer misdiagnosis attorney about your legal options.
Am I at risk of having it?
If you’re a woman, you must be vigilant about cervical cancer. It’s the second most common type of cancer for women, and it’s usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The two biggest risk factors for HPV are not receiving a routine Pap screening and not receiving the HPV vaccine. Other factors that may raise the risk of cervical cancer include the following:
- HIV/AIDS or a different immune-system-damaging illness.
- Smoking and a poor diet
- Becoming pregnant or sexually active when you’re young
- Several sexual partners
- Having cervical cancer in the family
- Having three or more births that are full-term
If you’re concerned that you may be at risk for cervical cancer, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can recommend a screening schedule that’s right for you.
And if you have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, getting a second opinion is important. Left untreated, cervical cancer can be deadly. But with early detection and treatment, the survival rate is high.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cervical cancer and you think you may have been misdiagnosed, contact a cervical cancer misdiagnosis attorney in Pennsylvania. They can help you investigate your case and get the compensation you deserve.
What Are the Symptoms I Might Have Cancer?
If you have cervical cancer, you may not have any symptoms in the early stages. Once cancer spreads, you may experience:
- uterine bleeding,
- abnormal vaginal discharge,
- pain during sex,
- discomfort in the pelvic area,
- swollen legs, or
- blood in your urine.
You must see a doctor immediately if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms. Cervical cancer is often misdiagnosed as something else, so it’s important to see a cervical cancer specialist.
Diagnosing Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is also called “the silent killer” because it can occur without overt symptoms in the early stages. Diagnosing cervical cancer early can be the difference between life and death. Precancerous changes in the cervix can generally be detected through routine Pap smear and HPV tests. Upon receiving abnormal results, doctors following the standard of care will typically order additional tests/procedures. Below we outline the tests that doctors should order.
- Colposcopy. A colposcopy is a medical test where the doctor inserts a colposcope into the vagina to examine the cervix, vagina, and vulva visually. It is similar to a routine pelvic exam, but the doctor uses this specific medical magnifying instrument to examine the tissues for signs indicating cervical cancer closely. During this procedure, the doctor may also perform a tissue biopsy.
- Biopsy. A biopsy removes a small amount of tissue from a suspicious area to allow for further testing in a laboratory. It may be done in conjunction with colposcopy or as a separate procedure.
- Endocervical Scraping. Also called “endocervical curettage,” endocervical scraping involves inserting an instrument called a curette (small brush) into the vagina to collect tissue cells from the endocervical canal (the part of the cervix that is closest to the uterus). The sample is then sent to the laboratory for testing.
- Cone Biopsy. Also called a “conization,” a cone biopsy is when a doctor removes a cone-shaped piece of tissue from the cervix for further testing in a laboratory. This is a more invasive procedure, and anesthetics are involved. The two most common methods for cone biopsies are:
- Loop electrosurgical procedure (LEEP, LLETZ): A local anesthetic is applied, and a thin wire loop, heated by electricity, is used to remove the area of tissue. This procedure may occur in a doctor’s office.
- Cold knife cone biopsy: Generally done in a hospital, general anesthesia or epidural is given, and the tissue is removed using a scalpel or a laser.
What is Misdiagnosis?
Misdiagnosis is any error in identifying a medical condition. Delayed diagnoses can fall under this category.
Cancer misdiagnosis is an expensive error that may be grounds for malpractice or wrongful death. Any delay in detection also delays therapy, which permits cancer to spread unchecked. This could result in a cancer patient needing more invasive surgeries or possibly having a shorter life expectancy than they would have had they received their diagnosis sooner.
Not all diagnostic errors are the doctor’s fault. Rather, it is likely that the laboratory technician who read the findings of the Pap smear test made a mistake. Or, there could have been a misunderstanding between the laboratory and the healthcare provider.
The difficulty arises when the doctor fails to inform and communicate with the patient about what is happening. If cervical cancer is not caught early, it can cause:
- Terrible pain and suffering,
- Loss of reproductive organs,
- Wrongful death,
- Expensive treatment, and
- Longer recovery time.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a cervical cancer misdiagnosis in Pennsylvania, contact our cervical cancer misdiagnosis attorney today for a free consultation. We will review your case and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Causes of Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis
Medical malpractice can occur when a missed or misdiagnosis of cervical cancer results in harm. A missed diagnosis occurs when the cancer is not diagnosed or the diagnosis is delayed. In contrast, a misdiagnosis occurs when the cancer is diagnosed as another condition or at an incorrect level.
- Misclassification. When cervical cancer is diagnosed at the wrong level, it is misclassified. When misclassification occurs, cancer can progress and become more difficult to treat and metastasize to other body parts. As a result, treatment can be much more painful and invasive, and recovery prognosis can be drastically lessened. Misclassification also refers to the identification of cancer when in actuality, the tissue is healthy.
- Failure to Diagnose. Misreading tests, ordering the wrong tests, or in some instances, tests not being done at all are the most common reasons leading to a failure in diagnosing cervical cancer. Failing to take a complete patient history or dismissing symptoms can also lead to a failure to diagnose.
- Wrong Diagnosis. A wrong diagnosis occurs when cervical cancer is diagnosed as something else. Treating the victim for the wrong condition can lead to catastrophic harm. While being treated for the wrong diagnosis, cancer can worsen and spread, and treating the wrong condition can cause harmful and unnecessary side effects to the victim. In a wrong diagnosis, the victim can potentially be worse off than if they had never sought treatment.
- Delayed Diagnosis. The correct diagnosis is eventually reached in a delayed diagnosis, but the victim still suffers harm due to the extra time it takes to get an accurate diagnosis. At the Villari Firm, our misdiagnosis lawyers can help you determine if your diagnosis was reached in a reasonable amount of time.
- Diagnostic Negligence. Doctors are legally and ethically responsible for providing reasonable care to their patients. Facilities conducting tests ensure that tests are carried out correctly, and reports are accurate. When harm results from diagnostic negligence, it may be medical malpractice. Examples of diagnostic negligence include:
- Failing to collect the test specimen correctly
- Failing to order standard tests that would be consistent with symptoms
- Misreading test results
- Failing to follow up with a patient about test results
- Failure to recommend additional follow-up testing on abnormal pap smear results
- Failing to take a complete history of the patient
- Improperly conducting a test
- Making errors in test results/reporting
- Mixing up patient test results
Injuries Caused By the Failure to Accurately Diagnose
Cervical cancer misdiagnosis can result in various types of injuries, such as cancerous growths going undetected or unchecked during vital treatment windows; cancer metastasizing or spreading to other body parts; and the patient undergoing painful, dangerous, and unnecessary cervical cancer treatments. This can lead to unnecessary and invasive treatments and emotional distress.
If you’ve been misdiagnosed with cervical cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for the following damages:
- Terminal cervical cancer;
- Untimely death;
- Severe discomfort;
- More expensive course of treatment;
- A more intrusive, aggressive, and painful course of treatment;
- A significantly longer recovery period;
- Loss of organs or limbs;
- Chronic or permanent disability; and
- Lost income.
Justice for a medical malpractice case comes in the form of financial compensation. You need to hold the medical practitioner responsible for their negligence. Schedule a free case evaluation with us to find out how.
Failing to accurately or timely diagnose cervical cancer can result in catastrophic harm to the victim. Examples of harm include premature death, loss of reproductive organs, pain, and lost expenses due to the wrong treatment.
Premature Death
Cervical Cancer can generally be treated with a high success rate if caught at the early stages. If it is not caught early, cancer can progress and spread. If cancer metastasizes, it can potentially lead to death.
Loss of Reproductive Organs
Misdiagnosed cervical cancer can require treatment which results in the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy), loss of the ovaries, or other tissues necessary to the reproductive system.
Physical Pain
Cervical cancer that is not caught early can spread to the nerve endings, bones, muscles, or other tissues and cause severe pain. While pain may be alleviated by prescribed medications, additional medical procedures and treatments may be required to manage the pain on a long-term basis.
Lost Expenses for Wrong Treatment
Being misdiagnosed can be financially devastating. Needing to pay for increased or unnecessary costs of treatment and the process of rehabilitation can be very expensive. Lost wages and loss of mental health can also significantly harm a victim of medical malpractice.
What to Do After a Mistaken Cancer Diagnosis
After a cancer misdiagnosis, you may feel like you’re at a loss for what to do. You may feel anger, sadness, and betrayal-and you have a right to all those feelings. But it’s important to remember that you are not alone in this experience. Many people have gone through cancer misdiagnosis, and there is help available.
Seek Medical Attention
The first step is to begin treatment for your cancer.
Cancer treatment can be expensive, and it’s important to make sure that you have the financial support you need. Several organizations can help with cancer treatment costs, and your cancer misdiagnosis lawyer can help you find the needed resources.
Hire a Lawyer
The next step is finding the right cancer misdiagnosis lawyer. They can help you navigate the legal process and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Several experienced lawyers in Pennsylvania could help you through this hard time if you were wrongly told you had cancer.
This Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer can help you to understand your rights and options and can assist you in filing a compensation claim. Some of the things that you may be eligible to receive compensation for include present and future medical bills or medical care, long-term disability rehabilitation, future and present wage losses, cost of long-term care, loss of friendship, the inability to enjoy life, distress and suffering, and funeral costs.
If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a cancer misdiagnosis, contact a cancer misdiagnosis lawyer today to discuss your case.
Can I File a Lawsuit for a Misdiagnosis or Delayed Cervical Cancer Diagnosis?
Yes, you might be able to file a lawsuit in Pennsylvania for a wrong or late diagnosis of cervical cancer.
There is a two-year statute of limitations, or deadline, in Pennsylvania. Still, it will take some time for your Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer to review your medical records and talk to oncologists and other specialists.
Any malpractice claim must be supported by evidence that the defendant’s medical provider violated the relevant standard of care. Also, the plaintiff will have to show that this breach was the cause of the patient’s pain or death.
In most cases, people who want to sue for wrongful death or personal injury must prove all of the following:
- Duty of Care: A doctor is responsible for taking good care of their patients.
- Breach of Duty: The doctor failed to uphold their responsibility to protect the patient from preventable and foreseen damage.
- Causation: The doctor’s actions or inaction caused the patient’s cancer to develop or worsen.
- Damages: Because of the doctor’s acts or inaction, the patient has suffered economic damage (medical bills or medical care, loss of income, etc.) or noneconomic damage (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship).
So, suppose you think your doctor or another medical professional made a mistake that hurt you or led to the untimely death of a spouse or other family member. In that case, you should talk to a good Pennsylvania cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawyer.
Large defense companies vigorously fight lawsuits alleging a failure to diagnose cervical cancer on time and will spend all the necessary money to win the case. Defense lawyers will probably get a “hired gun” medical expert who will testify that the doctor’s treatment did not go against the standard of care.
Defense lawyers frequently assert that even if the claimant’s cancer had been discovered earlier, the outcome would have been the same or their life would have only been prolonged for a brief time. We are aware of the strategies used by these attorneys and know how to counter them to defend your rights as a personal injury victim!
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help
If you believe you’ve experienced medical malpractice regarding your cervical cancer diagnosis, contact our medical malpractice lawyers. We will listen to you explain the life-changing events that you have experienced, analyze the facts of your case, consult with respected experts, and work directly with you to develop the best possible strategy for your case.
At every step of the process, the team at the Villari Firm is by your side, fighting for your rights. To speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney about your cervical cancer case, call Heidi Villari of the Villari Firm at 215-372-8889 or online by clicking here. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.
Call our Best Pennsylvania Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorney Now!
If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed with cervical cancer in Pennsylvania, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. The Villari Firm is a leading cervical cancer misdiagnosis law firm that has helped many people and families get the compensation they deserve.
Our experienced attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case and fight to get you the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a consultation.
Contact The Villari Firm, PLLC today for your free consultation.
