Failure to Diagnose Cancer Malpractice

When cancer goes undiagnosed, every passing day allows the disease to progress unchecked, often leading to more severe outcomes. A healthcare provider's failure to diagnose cancer can stem from various forms of negligence—whether it be overlooking symptoms, failing to order appropriate tests, or misinterpreting critical results. In Maryland, these oversights can cost patients their health and the chance for a more manageable and less invasive treatment plan.

Foran & Foran, P.A. is dedicated to standing up for victims of medical negligence. If you or a loved one has been impacted by a delayed or missed cancer diagnosis, you have the right to seek compensation for the harm suffered. Our Prince George's County oncologist malpractice attorneys will assess your case, work to hold responsible parties accountable, and ensure that you receive the support you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your legal options and how we can help.

Failing to diagnose cancer can have devastating consequences, especially when the disease progresses undetected. Certain types of cancer are more commonly misdiagnosed, often due to overlooked symptoms or inadequate testing. Common cancers frequently involved in diagnostic failures include:

• Breast cancer,
• Cervical cancer,
• Colon cancer,
• Liver cancer,
• Lung cancer,
• Ovarian cancer,
• Rectal cancer, and
• Skin cancer.

Each of these cancers requires prompt diagnosis and treatment, and delays can lead to more aggressive, invasive, and less effective treatment options. Early detection is critical for improving patient outcomes, but when doctors fail to recognize symptoms or perform necessary tests, patients are often left to suffer the consequences.

If you or a loved one has experienced a delayed diagnosis of any of these cancers, seeking legal advice can help you understand your rights and options for compensation.

Failing to diagnose cancer promptly can have life-altering consequences for patients. When a healthcare provider fails to catch cancer in its early stages, the disease can spread to other parts of the body, making treatment more difficult and less effective. Patients may endure more aggressive treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, or invasive surgeries, that could have been avoided with an earlier diagnosis. In the worst cases, the failure to diagnose cancer may reduce a patient's life expectancy or lead to terminal outcomes.

There are multiple ways in which a healthcare provider can fail to diagnose cancer, each with devastating consequences for the patient. Some common types of diagnostic failures include:

• Missed symptoms. A doctor may fail to recognize clear cancer symptoms, dismissing them as less serious conditions like infections or inflammation.
• Failure to order tests. If a doctor does not order necessary diagnostic tests, such as blood work, imaging, or biopsies, early signs of cancer may go unnoticed.
• Misreading test results. Even when tests are ordered, misinterpretation of results by radiologists, pathologists, or oncologists can delay a cancer diagnosis.
• Lack of follow-up. Failing to follow up on abnormal results or neglecting to refer the patient to a specialist for further investigation can result in the cancer progressing unchecked.

Each of these failures represents a breach of the duty of care owed to the patient.

In Maryland, several healthcare providers can be liable for failing to diagnose cancer cases, depending on their role in your care. Liability may extend beyond the primary physician, especially in cases involving multiple practitioners in the diagnosis or treatment. Doctors, including oncologists, radiologists, and primary care physicians, are often named in medical malpractice claims when they fail to order necessary tests or misinterpret results. Radiologists, for example, may miss critical signs of cancer during imaging studies, such as mammograms or CT scans. Pathologists who analyze tissue samples can also be liable for misreading biopsy results.

In some instances, specialists like gynecologists or dermatologists may fail to recognize cancer symptoms related to their areas of expertise. Nurses and other medical staff can also share liability if they fail to communicate essential symptoms or follow up on test results. Foran & Foran's medical malpractice attorneys will work to determine which parties are responsible for your misdiagnosis and help you pursue compensation for your suffering.

A missed or delayed cancer diagnosis can have devastating consequences. At Foran & Foran, our attorneys understand the serious implications of oncologist malpractice, including cases where cancer was not diagnosed in time. With over 85 years of combined experience and a proven track record of seven-figure verdicts and settlements, we’re here to provide you with the compassionate, skilled advocacy you deserve. Our contingency billing means you only pay if we win your case. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give Foran & Foran's Prince George's County medical malpractice lawyers a call at 301-441-2022. We proudly represent clients in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and the surrounding areas.