It is vital for patients with cancer to receive accurate timely diagnoses and proper treatment. Failures of healthcare providers in this respect may deprive patients of precious time during which treatment may begin, affording a better prognosis and preventing progression of the disease process. In other cases, patients are given the incorrect types of treatments for cancer as a result of incorrect diagnoses.
According to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, about one out of every 71 cancer patients is misdiagnosed. Furthermore, one out of every five cancer cases is misclassified as far as “staging” or how far along the disease has progressed as of the time of diagnosis. This mis-staging can be a critical mistake because staging determines the type and extent of treatment needed.
We rely on doctors to order the right tests, properly evaluate test results, and provide not only a timely diagnosis, but also timely correct treatment necessary to fight the cancer. After your diagnosis it is advisable to seek out second and even third opinions relative to staging and treatment options. If you or a loved one has suffered serious losses due to being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, please contact Blume Forte at 973-845-4421 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.