Understanding the Misdiagnosis of Cervical Cancer
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. Cervical cancer can be successfully treated when 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 will represent victims of misdiagnosis of cervical cancer. 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. If the cells are abnormal, further testing to make a positive diagnosis will be ordered by the physician. 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. These misdiagnoses each carry particular consequences. For instance, patients who are wrongly diagnosed with cervical cancer when they don’t have cancer suffer unnecessary and painful treatments. Those whose cancer is missed altogether may never receive the treatment they need to survive.
Have You Been Misdiagnosed
Victims of a cervical cancer misdiagnosis can take legal action to hold the negligent party(s) accountable. An individual who has been misdiagnosed may be eligible for compensation for losses that relate to the cost of medical care, pain and suffering and emotional pain.
To learn more about your legal rights if you have been misdiagnosed, contact a medical attorney today. The attorneys will evaluate your case, answer any legal questions and make sure you are informed of your legal rights.
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Tagged with: cancer • medical malpractice • medical malpractice attorney • misdiagnosis • misdiagnosis of cervical cancer
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