When Doctors Fail to Diagnose Cancer
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in Pennsylvania, but early detection and treatment can make all the difference when it comes to outcomes and survival. When doctors fail to diagnose cancer, the disease may spread, rendering treatment more difficult and less likely to succeed. In some cases, doctors who misdiagnose a cancer patient may be held responsible for medical malpractice.Cancer Diagnosis and Medical Malpractice
Doctors have a responsibility under the law to provide reasonable care to their patients who come to them for diagnosis and treatment. Of course, even a responsible doctor can make a mistake or miss a hard-to-find cancer. However, some physicians fail to live up to their obligations under Pennsylvania medical malpractice law. Because cancer is a progressive disease that spreads and worsens with the passage of time, timeliness is particularly important in providing appropriate treatment. Some of the appropriate diagnostic options that patients can expect if they show symptoms of cancer include the following:- Receiving examinations, including lab tests and imaging scans
- Being referred to a specialist if their results are anomalous
- Receiving test results promptly
- Obtaining a plan to treat their disease
Proving Malpractice After Misdiagnosed Cancer

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