New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
New Jersey Failure to Diagnose Prostate Cancer Wrongful Death Case
BG Partner Michael Zerres was recently on trial in Union County, New Jersey in a case involving the death of a 76 year old man from prostate cancer. The man’s family alleged that his primary care physician failed to follow up on an abnormal PSA test result, by promptly referring him to an urologist.
Two years later, when the man began experiencing urinary tract symptoms, he was referred to an urologist by an urgent care facility physician. The urologist performed a digital rectal examination (DRE), PSA and biopsy which revealed the presence of a high-grade, advanced prostate cancer. Despite aggressive treatment, the man succumbed to his disease 15 months later.
The trial lasted 3 weeks, from June 28, 2010 until July 19, 2010, as the defendant physician had refused to sign a consent form which would have allowed his insurance company to settle the case. The defendant physician testified that he did, in fact, instruct the patient to see an urologist following the abnormal PSA, and, that the patient failed to follow his advice. However, this advice was not documented anywhere in the physician’s chart.
Finally, after plaintiff’s case had been put in its entirety, and with only two defense witnesses remaining, the defendant consented to settling the case following a full day of examination. The matter was then resolved for a confidential amount. The Honorable Lisa F. Chrystal presided over the trial.
Mayo Clinic Research Confirms PSA Best Way to Help Diagnose Prostate Cancer
Recent Mayo Clinic research has determined that routine annual evaluation of prostate growth is not solely the best predictor for the development of prostate cancer. According to a recent news report, the recent study suggests that if a man’s prostate specific antigen (PSA) level is rising quickly, a prostate biopsy is a more reasonable way to rule out prostate cancer. PSA is a substance that is produced in the prostate gland. Under normal circumstances a small amount of this substance enters a man’s bloodstream.
Men from the study group who did develop prostate cancer apparently showed a sharper and faster rise in PSA levels compared to other men who were not diagnosed with prostate cancer. Based on this study, a higher amount of PSA, or, a sudden increase in PSA levels can be indicative of a problem, possibly prostate cancer.
One factor which can lead to a delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer is a failure to utilize the tools available in the screening process. The presence of prostate cancer can usually be tested for by digital rectal exam (DRE) and a blood test. A DRE may be abnormal because of an enlarged, hardened or irregular shaped prostate. A blood test can generally be more helpful because it can show abnormalities in PSA levels in the bloodstream. The two tests used in tandem are the most effective way a doctor makes a diagnosis of prostate cancer early and accurately. If there are abnormalities in either or both of these tests, biopsies of the prostate can be performed to evaluate the tissue for a definitive diagnosis of cancer.
If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed, or, diagnosed with prostate cancer at a late stage, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim. If your doctor did not use adequate prostate cancer screening methods, which resulted in misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of the cancer, the matter should be further investigated. At Blume Goldfaden, our New Jersey failure to diagnose prostate cancer attorneys have the experience and the resources to evaluate your potential claim and investigate your case. Call 973-635-5400 to schedule your no-cost consultation.
Source:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091110112442.htm