BREAST CANCER MISDIAGNOSIS ATTORNEYS

According to the National Cancer Institute, each year more than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States. Tragically, breast cancer remains a leading cause of death in women ages 40-60.

While breast cancer can be fatal, early detection often means a better prognosis. The best indicator of prognosis is the clinical stage at the time of diagnosis. The 5-year disease-free survival rate for breast cancer patients who receive appropriate treatment is:

Stage 0 – 95%

Stage I – 88%

Stage II – 66%

Stage III – 36%

Stage IV – 7%

Breast cancer symptoms may include:

• A breast lump or mass felt upon examination.
• A lump in the armpit.
• A change in breast size or shape.
• A change in breast or nipple color, often an orange or reddish shade.
• Nipple pain or discharge.
• Nipple inversion.
• A change in breast skin texture, often dimpled or puckered in appearance.

As the previous statistics indicate, when breast cancer is diagnosed in its early stages, women, fortunately, have very high 5-year disease-free survival rates. However, a misdiagnosis can lead to severe health complications. Our breast cancer misdiagnosis attorneys in Pennsylvania have represented multiple clients who have suffered due medical malpractice of misdiagnosis. If you believe you have undergone medical complications due to misdiagnosis, contact the attorneys at Frischman & Rizza today. 

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Early Detection

In addition to patient breast self-exams and clinical breast exams by medical professionals, screening mammograms are essential to the early detection of breast cancer. A mammogram is simply a specialized x-ray of the breast that can detect potential breast cancers long before physical symptoms, such as a lump, can be felt. It is for this reason that the American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 and older undergo an annual screening mammogram.

In the event that a suspicious abnormality is identified on a screening mammogram, other diagnostic testing, such as a biopsy is often performed.

Breast Cancer Malpractice

Unfortunately, preventable mistakes can be made when interpreting a screening mammogram. Common examples of preventable mistakes include the failure to properly identify the following suspicious findings on a mammogram:

• Clustered microcalcifications.
• Irregularly shaped spiked or spicular masses.
• A new mass not previously seen on a prior mammogram.
• Shape or size differences between the breasts.

In addition to mistakes made in interpreting a mammogram, patients can also be denied an early diagnosis if:

• Vigilant evaluation and regular monitoring of a palpable breast lump is not performed. 
• Improperly relying on a negative mammogram to rule out cancer in a woman who has a palpable breast lump. 
• Failing to order required follow-up diagnostic testing, such as specialized radiologic imaging, fine needle aspiration and/or a surgical biopsy 
• Failing to obtain a proper sampling when performing a fine needle aspiration and/or a surgical biopsy. 
• Mistakes in pathologic interpretation of specimens obtained by a fine needle aspiration and/or a surgical biopsy.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer despite undergoing regular gynecologic evaluation and screening mammograms, you have the right to question whether something was missed. We can help you find answers as we understand that a delay in the diagnosis of your breast cancer may have made a big difference in your outcome. Our breast cancer misdiagnosis attorneys have the expertise you need in order to present your case.