CPR Takes On Failure to Diagnose Cancer Lawsuits

Representing those whose doctors caused a late or missed diagnosis.

Getting the Results You Deserve

Our Attorneys Can Hep with your Failure to Diagnose Cancer Lawsuit.

Cancer can be a deadly disease, but when caught and treated early, the chances of survival for most forms of the disease are much greater. Because of how fast some cancers can spread, it is essential to diagnose cancer as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

Unfortunately, doctors do not always take the steps necessary to ensure that cancer is diagnosed so patients can get the prompt treatment they need, which can have catastrophic — and even fatal — outcomes. Failure to diagnose cancer may include:

  • Failing to correctly interpret your symptoms
  • Dismissing your condition as something less serious
  • Failing to refer you to a specialist
  • Failing to get a second opinion
  • Failing to order tests to rule out cancer
  • Mixing up samples, biopsies, and other test results
  • Using defective technology that fails to detect cancer
  • Failing to follow up with you when tests indicate an abnormality

At the law offices of Cohen, Placitella & Roth in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, our lawyers believe that every patient deserves access to high-quality medical care, including a doctor who takes the steps necessary to properly diagnose cancer. When failure to diagnose cancer medical malpractice leads to harm, our experienced attorneys will fight tirelessly to get you and your family the compensation you deserve.

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Commonly Missed or Misdiagnosed Cancer Types

Failure to diagnose cancer can happen in a variety of different cases and cancer types. We’ve listed some commonly misdiagnosed cancer types here, but you’ll need to speak to a failure to diagnosis cancer attorney to understand your options. Contact our attorneys today for a free consultation.

  • Breast Cancer

    Breast cancer is an increasingly common disease affecting about 240,000 women and 2,100 men in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC. But the 5-year survival rate is high when breast cancer is diagnosed early: 100% for a patient with a Stage 0 or I diagnosis and 93% at Stage II. Sadly, once breast cancer develops to Stage IV, that rate drops to 22%.

    Early symptoms — including breast or nipple swelling, dimpling, redness, scaliness, or discharge — may be dismissed as an infection, rash, allergic reaction, or other innocuous health condition, leading to a failed diagnosis.

  • Pleural Plaques

    Pleural plaques involve hardening of the tissue around the lungs and diaphragm. While there are generally no symptoms, masses associated with the disease may show up in x-rays.

  • Prostate Cancer

    Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer to affect men, with 161,360 new cases diagnosed each year, according to The American Cancer Society. Symptoms include erectile dysfunction, blood in urine, pain in the hips and spine, loss of bladder or bowel control, and weakness and numbness in the legs and feet — ailments that resemble a number of different conditions, including kidney disease. The survival rate for prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent when caught early, but quickly dips the longer it spreads throughout the body.

  • Colon Cancer

    Colon cancer affects about 95,500 new patients every year, and it is the second most common cause of cancer deaths when numbers for men and women are combined. Characterized by stomach pain, bloody stools, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and unintended weight loss, this cancer is commonly misdiagnosed because it shares symptoms with a number of other conditions, like colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and food intolerances. Once the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the relative 5-year survival rate is only 11 percent.

  • Lung Cancer

    There are different types of lung cancer, including non-small cell, small cell, and lung carcinoid tumor. All types may be misdiagnosed because their early symptoms mimic a common cold or respiratory infection, including hoarseness of the throat, shortness of breath, weakness, fatigue, persistent cough, and chest pain. Sometimes, coughing up blood accompanies these symptoms. According to the American Lung Association, the 5-year survival rate when lung cancer is localized is about 56 percent, but only 16 percent of cases receive early-stage diagnosis.

  • Cervical Cancer

    The American Cancer Society estimates that about 13,960 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually. When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for cervical cancer is 90+ percent, but many women dismiss early symptoms as normal — or ask their doctors about them, who may do the same. Once the cancer has invaded nearby tissues, symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, discharge, and painful intercourse.

  • Ovarian Cancer

    Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancer types among women. Symptoms — including bloating, pelvic pain, frequent urination, back pain, fatigue, menstrual cycle changes, weight loss, and constipation — may vary by patient and resemble other less-serious health conditions.

Facts About Failure to Diagnose Cancer

  • 46%

    of primary care diagnostic errors relate to missed cancer diagnoses

  • 76%

    involve errors in clinical judgment

  • 51%

    result from delay/failure to order a diagnostic test

  • 37%

    result from delay/failure to obtain a consult or referral

Source: National Library of Medicine
  • Our CP&R lawyer and his colleagues treated me with the most patience and professionalism I’ve ever had at a time when I needed help. They were like pit bulls, sinking their teeth into my case and didn’t let go until they got me the settlement I was praying for. They fought for me!

    Kimberly R.
  • When I didn’t know who to turn to, CP&R had the relationships to recommend nursing care, medical services, financial services, people instrumental in helping us work things out, not just the legal part. The lawyers at CP&R are good people and deserve to be recognized for how good they are professionally and personally.

    Carly J.
  • I researched and filled out a short form online, CP&R came up on my list, and I contacted them first and last. I live across the country; I took a gamble because I had nothing to lose. Later I found it was the right decision. 

    Isaac R.

Contact a Failure to Diagnose Cancer Attorney

You need the right representation for your failure to diagnose cancer lawsuit. Reach out to our attorneys today for a free consultation.

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