Misdiagnosis of Vagina Cancer and Medical Negligence

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Vagina cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the vaginal tissues of a woman. This area is also referred to as the birth canal. Anytime that cell production does not function normally, and growth is disturbed or changed in any way, cells can divide quickly and start to grow out of control. When this occurs, cancer can result, because of damaged that has affected the part of the cell that is related to genetic material called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). It is not completely understood what causes vagina cancer.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms that are associated with cancer of the vagina become more numerous. Nearly twenty percent of all cases of vagina cancer have no symptoms at all. The only way these cases are found is through abnormal results of a Pap test.

For the most part, vagina cancer is rare, and makes up the smallest number of cancer cases seen in women. While, as mentioned above, there are not many symptoms associated with the condition, there are a few things that have been observed, such as: vaginal discharge that is tinged with blood, bleeding following sexual intercourse, and pain or discomfort in the area of the pelvis. Other symptoms that have reported include: blood in the urine, difficulty passing urine, frequent urination, and pain in the area of the rectum. Since vagina cancer is rare, there are not a lot of cases seen on a yearly basis, which makes it hard for medical professional to become familiar with this type of cancer. This leads to a much greater chance of a misdiagnosis happening, which is inevitably a form of medical negligence.

There are two forms of vagina cancer that can affect women of just about any age. These two forms are as follows:

Adenocarcinoma Vaginal Cancer: this form of the disease typically affects younger women who are under the age of twenty. This form is not commonly seen.

Squamous Cell Vaginal Cancer: this form of the disease typically affects women who are between the ages of fifty and seventy years old. This form is more commonly seen.

In order to properly diagnose vagina cancer, you will need to stay current with routine checkups with your primary care physician, or with your gynecologist. Because most practitioners do not see many cases of the disease, there is a high risk of a misdiagnosis happening. That being said, if there is even the slightest suspicion of vagina cancer being present, the physician should send the patient to a cancer specialist who is more familiar with this disease, so that more in depth testing can be conducted. Tests that should be ordered include an internal vaginal examination, a cervical smear, a colposcopy, and a biopsy. Any area that appears to be abnormal for any reason should be further examined by collecting a tissue sample for microscopic review.

The best possible prognosis will come from the proper tests being ordered, the results being received in a prompt fashion, results being interpreted properly, and effective treatment being started right away. Any delay in treatment, for any reason, especially due to a misdiagnosis can be devastating and can lead to a fatal outcome. This is because the longer vagina cancer is left untreated, the greater the chance it will spread to other areas, and other organs, making it nearly impossible to treat.

If you or someone you know has been harmed because of a misdiagnosis of vagina cancer, it is important that you understand that you have legal rights, and you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries by taking legal action. The best possible way to go about taking this action is to contact a personal injury attorney who specializes in medical negligence and malpractice. These professionals are quite skilled in this area of the law, and know exactly how to proceed.

A personal injury attorney will examine all the details of your claim in order to ensure it is viable, and then will make recommendations on the best course of action. From this point, the attorney will handle all of the details on your behalf, leaving you with nothing to deal with except your own personal recovery.

Best of all, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that you do not have to worry about how to pay for your claim upfront. You pay nothing until the time your case settles. This can make all the difference in the world for someone who is on the fence about how to proceed with their legal claim because of having a tight budget.

Once the claim is filed, your personal injury attorney will work hard to seek compensation for your past, present, and future medical expenses, any loss of income because of having to quit your job, as well as pain and suffering.

Since these types of cases can be quite complex, it is not recommended to attempt filing on your own without legal representation. The laws that govern medical negligence and malpractice cases can vary a great deal depending on the jurisdiction that oversees them, which can make filing somewhat confusing. A personal injury attorney completely removes this hassle, and will take care of every last detail.

Medical negligence claims are particularly concerning, and when they deal with cancer misdiagnoses can be absolutely devastating. These incidents should have never happened should the proper amount of attention been paid to the details, and the person or people responsible for the mistake need to be held accountable. Not only will you be seeking justice for yourself, and for your family, you will also be taking actions to help prevent this from happening to any other innocent victims.

Do not delay in seeking legal guidance for your claim. There are strict statutes of limitations that must be adhered to in order for your claim to proceed. Medical professionals have teams of legal representatives working hard to protect their interests and so should you. You have nothing to lose, but so much to gain.

For information on medical negligence lawyers & attorneys, visit the Philadelphia law firm website FeldmanShepherd.com.

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Misdiagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, Who Is Responsible?

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The thyroid is a gland in the neck that is located near the base of the throat and is shaped like a butterfly. This gland is comprised of two different lobes, one on the left and one on the right, and is in charge of producing certain types of hormones. The thyroid uses iodine to help with the production of these various hormones. The hormones produced by the thyroid have many important functions such as regulating blood pressure, heart rate, metabolism, and body temperature. They are also necessary to manage different muscles, the nervous system, and organs. The thyroid is also a major factor in development and growth for children.

Thyroid cancer is a disease that results in the thyroid gland cells growing at a pace that is uncontrollable and rapid, which then becomes abnormal and causes masses to form, known as tumors.

Once the cells are examined under a microscope, and depending on how they appear, the type of cancer is classified as one of four possible types: anaplastic, follicular, medullary, or papillary. Each of these types of thyroid cancer grows at a different pace, and if not treated properly and promptly can spread to other areas within the body.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is responsible for roughly two percent of all cases of the disease. This form is extremely aggressive, and is the fastest growing form of thyroid cancer.

Follicular thyroid cancer is the second most commonly seen type of the disease, and is responsible for between thirty and fifty percent of all cases. This type of thyroid cancer originates in the cells of the thyroid that produce hormones.

Medullary thyroid cancer is responsible for about five to seven percent of all cases of the disease. This form of thyroid cancer starts in the parafollicular cells that produce calcitonin, which are also known as C cells. This type of hormone does not make use of or contain iodine.

Papillary thyroid cancer makes up the majority of cases of the disease, representing about sixty to eighty percent. This form of thyroid cancer is quite slow growing, and originates in the hormone producing cells that contain iodine.

For the most part, thyroid cancer is a slow growing cancer that often begins with just one symptom: swelling at the base of the neck where the gland is located. Another common symptom may include difficulty swallowing because of the tumor pressing on the gullet or windpipe. Typically, the main function of the thyroid gland is not affected when a tumor is present and individuals who have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland are not considered to be at a higher risk of developing cancer. Since there are few symptoms that are absolutely definitive, it is not uncommon that this disease is misdiagnosed.

In order to ensure a proper diagnosis of thyroid cancer is made, it is necessary for the following to occur:

Blood work - Blood tests help to measure the thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) levels, which is often a strong indicator of abnormalities, including cancer.

Fine needle aspiration and/or biopsy - This involves a medical professional inserting a thin, small needle into the area of the neck that is swollen. It is usually done with the help of an ultrasound. The needle then collects a sample of tissue that will be later examined in a laboratory.

While it is true that most type of thyroid cancers are not aggressive, and grow slowly, it is still absolutely critical that an early diagnosis is made, in order for the best treatment to be ordered, thus providing the best chance of recovery.

Unfortunately, each year, many patients needlessly suffer because a proper diagnosis of thyroid cancer is not made, it is overlooked, or it is delayed to the point that a successful recovery is no longer possible. The main reasons for this have to do with various levels of human interpretation, which leaves a great deal of room for error. When this happens, medical negligence has occurred, and it is important that the responsible parties be held accountable. You do have legal rights, and you should understand that you may be able to take action in order to receive monetary compensation for your injuries and medical expenses.

If you or someone you know has suffered because of a misdiagnosis of thyroid cancer, or a delayed diagnosis, you should not delay in seeking legal advice. A professional personal injury attorney who specializes in the area of medical negligence or malpractice is quite skilled with handling these types of cases and can handle every aspect of your claim. He or she knows the ins and outs of the law, and will be able to determine if your case is viable, along with the best way to file, what evidence is necessary, and when an expert should be called to testify.

Since these cases can be quite complex in nature, and because the laws and statutes of limitations do vary a good deal from state to state, it is important that you get help and do not try to pursue your case on your own. Medical professionals have teams of legal counsel on their side, ready to protect their clients at all times. Because of these reasons, it is very hard for someone without their own legal representation to recoup damages.

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you will get proper legal representation of your own, without the need to pay upfront. This will allow you to focus on seeking the medical help and treatments you need to improve your medical condition, without having the added worry of how to fund your legal claim. Personal injury attorneys take care of your case from start to finish. You should never risk becoming a victim twice, and you should not let the party or parties responsible who are for your injuries get away with what they have done. A personal injury attorney can help you to secure your future, while bringing forth the justice that is rightly deserved.

For information on cancer misdiagnosis lawyers & attorneys, visit the Philadelphia law firm website FeldmanShepherd.com.

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Misdiagnosis of Larynx Cancer, What Should I Do?

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The larynx is located in the throat, and is also referred to as the voice box. Cancer of the larynx is a particular form of cancer that affects this area. The vocal chords, which vibrate to make sounds when a person speaks, are located in the voice box, which itself is made of cartilage. The larynx is connected to the throat and can be located just under where the throat is found. Throat cancer, including cancer that affects the larynx occurs when the cells of the throat mutate and change at an abnormal rate. The mutations then cause the cells to change and grow at a rapid rate, and live much longer than is typical for that of healthy cells. This causes an accumulation of cells that are abnormal, thus resulting in tumors.

While it is not known for sure what exactly causes these cells to grow in this fashion and cause cancer, medical professionals have been able to determine a number of factors that increase the chances of developing larynx cancer. Behaviors such as smoking, chewing tobacco, and abusing alcohol all increase the possibility of developing cancer.

There are some main symptoms that are associated with larynx cancer. Because this type of cancer forms on or close to the vocal chords, the tone of a person's voice, and the voice itself, may change. Hoarseness may also be reported in some patients. Other noted symptoms that are attributed to cancer of the larynx include discomfort swallowing, shortness of breath, a lump that can be felt in the throat or neck, and chronic ear aches.

That being said, there are some cases of cancer of the larynx that do not affect the vocal chords whatsoever, therefore there is no noticeable change in the tone or quality of the voice. It is also quite common that a patient who reports to the doctor with early symptoms of larynx cancer is dismissed as having a minor case of laryngitis because of a viral infection. Anytime this happens, a delay in treatment occurs, and the result could be quite devastating.

In order to make a proper diagnosis of cancer of the larynx, medical professionals need to conduct a complete physical examination along with ordering certain tests and x-rays. If there is a failure to adhere to this procedure, an act of medical negligence may have occurred. When preliminary tests and physical examinations are done, a more definitive diagnosis may be made by referring the patient to an ear, nose, and throat specialist. These specialists will physically feel the throat and neck area for any lumps or enlarged glands, and take a look at the overall health and condition of the mouth, and back of the throat. A more close up examination may be needed by using a fiber optic nasendoscope. A nasendoscope is a thin tube that has a light on one end. This helps the physician to view down the throat at a greater distance. From this point, follow up examinations may be ordered to get an idea of the shape of the larynx, which will require sedation by means of general anesthesia. Any items of concern will be collected during this procedure and biopsied for further diagnosis.

If cancer of the larynx is caught early, it can be treated, and the patient can have an improved quality of life, and may be able to be cured. If the cancer is left untreated, or there is a delay in treatment, it is possible that the cancer can spread to other areas of the body, which can lead to a case that is much more difficult to remedy.

If a proper diagnosis is not made because of an error on the part of a doctor or because of a technician who did not properly interpret lab results, a form of medical negligence may have occurred. When this happens, it is important to understand that you have legal rights, and you may be able to enforce those rights in a court of law.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a misdiagnosis of larynx cancer, you should not delay in seeking legal assistance. Contacting a personal injury attorney as soon as possible can help to ensure your rights are protected and give you the best chance of obtaining compensation for your injuries.

Personal injury attorneys who specialize in this area of the law are extremely skilled with these cases, and will work hard on your behalf. He or she will handle every last detail, collect medical records, evidence, and even arrange for expert testimony if needed. Personal injury attorneys will file all proceedings and provide advice on the best way for you to head with your case.

Best of all, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you have nothing to pay upfront. By not having to worry about how to fund your claim as it progresses through the legal system, you can spend your time focusing on your personal health and recovery, as well as spend precious time with friends and family.

In the event that you have lost a loved one because of a misdiagnosis of larynx cancer, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on the decedent's behalf. A personal injury attorney will discuss your options and guide you in the proper direction.

Medical negligence claims can be quite complicated and are certainly not something you will want to take on yourself. Every state has various laws that govern these types of cases, and various statutes of limitations that must be followed. Failing to file in the proper amount of time or in the right way can sabotage your chances of receiving compensation.

Do not risk becoming a victim twice. Medical professionals have teams of legal representatives working on their side to protect them in all ways, and you should have someone in your corner. Hiring a personal injury attorney will give you all the tools necessary to get the justice you so rightly deserve.

For information on medical negligence lawyers & attorneys, visit the Philadelphia law firm website FeldmanShepherd.com.

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False Positive Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims

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As hard as it may be to believe, on top of medical negligence in the form of cancer misdiagnoses, there are also times when false positive cancer diagnoses are made. This means that in addition to the worry of a medical professional missing the presence of cancer, or failing to diagnose it in a timely manner, there are also times that medical professionals diagnose a patient as having cancer when it is not really true.

Giving a patient a false positive diagnosis can cause serious physical, emotional, and even financial consequences. For the most part, false positive diagnoses typically occur because an improper method was used to implement a test, or the test was not analyzed properly which falls into the category of medical negligence.

Perhaps the worst part of this issue is that false positive diagnoses are not all together uncommon. In fact, it is estimated that as many as forty percent of all initial tests for cancer could be done in error, which would require a retest for a proper result. Because of this issue, it is important that a physician order a second test to verify the first results. It is when a final diagnosis is made, and it is found to be incorrect, that true harm results for the patient.

When Clinical Errors Occur

One of the most serious problems that arise when a false positive cancer diagnosis is made is the starting of cancer treatments. These treatments can include strong cancer fighting drugs, chemotherapy, radiation treatments, and even surgical procedures. Cancer treatments are meant to destroy living cells which can be quite serious for patients who undergo these treatments and are not really ill. If your physician insists upon a certain type of treatment, especially one that could be life threatening, is based upon only one test that has been run, and you were not informed that the test results could be erroneous, it is almost certain that some form of medical negligence has occurred. In this situation, it is possible to hold the doctor who ordered the test, the lab technicians who analyzed the test, as well as the testing facility liable.

How Compensation is Awarded

While patients who have suffered with a false diagnosis are lucky in the fact that they are not truly afflicted with cancer, it is still possible to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your damages. These cases are quite important and can reap large monetary awards.

Compensation is often sought for patients who have not only dealt with the emotional trauma of a false diagnosis, but especially for those who have undergone cancer treatments that were not necessary. These treatments place patients at a high risk for life threatening complications, cause pain and suffering, and cause the patient to miss work, leading to financial distress. What's more is, cancer treatments can actually cause more harm such as is the case with surgical procedures, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Patients who have endured this type of trauma experience high levels of stress, anxiety, stress disorders that never completely dissipate even after a correct diagnosis is issued, and suffer with periods of depression. They also tend to have trust issues with medical professionals that cannot be repaired, which could lead to serious implications down the road should a real medical issue arise.

There is often a good amount of financial loss that is experienced as well; this can be for medical expenses for unnecessary treatments as well as to get personal affairs in order. On top of seeking compensation for the physical and psychological harm, that has been done, as well as pain and suffering, victims of false cancer diagnoses can also seek compensation for their financial hardships that were endured. These financial losses can be significant, so recouping this loss can go a long way toward completing a personal recovery.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Personal injury lawyers specialize in handling many different types of claims involving misdiagnoses, including those that have to do with false positive cancer diagnoses. Since most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, you pay nothing upfront to file your claim. This means that you do not have worry about how to fund your claim as it progresses through the legal system.

If you or someone you know has suffered in any way because of a false positive diagnosis of cancer, it is important to understand that you have legal rights, and they need to be upheld. The best way to go about this is to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Since different states have different laws governing how to file a claim, as well as how long you have to file a claim, time is most definitely of the essence. Attempting to file a claim on your own, without professional assistance could be a very costly mistake that could eliminate your chances of a favorable outcome.

You should not take chances with your future, or the future of your legal claim. You should also not continue to allow a medical professional who took an oath to "do no harm" to get away with this caliber of negligence. Taking swift action not only allows you to obtain the justice that you deserve, it also helps to protect others from having to undergo a similar fate. While mistakes happen, there are certain mistakes that could be and should be avoided at all costs. False positive diagnoses are one of those mistakes that should simply never happen.

Contacting a personal injury lawyer who specializes in the area of medical negligence and malpractice for assistance with your case may be one of the best decisions you ever make. These professionals will handle every aspect of your case from start to finish, so you do not have to worry about the details. All evidence is collected, and paperwork is filed on your behalf. Medical professionals have a number of lawyers working hard to protect them and their financial futures, and so should you.

For information on getting legal help for medical negligence visit http://www.feldmanshepherd.com/

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Have You Had A Misdiagnosis of Vulva Cancer?

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Vulva cancer is a form of cancer that is located in the external area of the female genitalia. While this cancer is rare, it is usually found in women of an older age. The vulva is comprised of the opening to the vagina, the labia, the perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus), and the clitoris. Vulva cancer can affect any of these areas, but it is usually found in the labia.

It is estimated that the labia is affected in nearly seventy percent of all cases of vulva cancer. Another fifteen to twenty percent of cases affect the perineum, and an additional fifteen to twenty percent affect the clitoris. About five percent of cases have cancer that is found in more than just one particular area, and ten percent of all cases cannot have the origin of the cancer traced back to one spot. Vulva cancer does spread and can eventually affect areas such as the vagina, the anus, and the urethra.

The majority of types of vulva cancer are referred to as squamous cell carcinomas. Squamous cells are the most common types of cells found in the skin. This type of carcinoma usually begins in the area that surrounds the vagina, or the area found on the edges of the labia. Vulva cancer is a slow growing cancer and often starts as condition that is precancerous and is called dysplasia, or vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). This condition simply states that there are cells that are considered to be precancerous located in the layers of the skin.

Less commonly found forms of vulva caner include adenocarcinomas, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, Paget's disease of the vulva, and tumors of the connective tissues. Melanoma is the second most common type of vulva cancer and is found in roughly five to ten percent of all cases. Adenocarcinomas form in the glands, such as those that are located close to the opening of the vagina and produce fluid and mucus for lubrication. Basal cell carcinoma is the most often located in areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, so this condition is not usually seen on the vulva. That being said, they can still appear anywhere there are skin cells, which include the vulva.

As mentioned above, vulva cancer usually affects women who are advanced in age, typically over the age of fifty. Most diagnoses are made in women between the ages of sixty five and seventy. Beside age alone, there are other risk factors for this type of cancer including: cervical cancer, having multiple sexual partners, vaginal inflammations, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Cancer of the vulva is a slow growing cancer that can be in the body for a number of years before any symptoms appear. When symptoms do finally become evident, they may include the following: swelling, pain, lumps, growths, soreness, burning, a mole that has changed shape or color, itching, bleeding or a discharge that is blood tinged, burning during urination, or thick raised red, dark, or white patches of skin.

Because the symptoms associated with early stages of vulva cancer are quite subtle, and can be attributed to a variety of less serious conditions, it is not uncommon that they are dismissed or ignored for a period of time. When proper testing or further investigating is not done, medical negligence may have occurred, and you may have grounds for a medical negligence lawsuit.

In order for a proper diagnosis to be made, a complete physical examination needs to be done, a check of the vulva using a magnifier should also be done, and blood tests or x-rays may be ordered as well. An examination of the internal reproductive organs, such as the cervix by means of a speculum may also be necessary. The doctor will most likely insist upon biopsying the area in order to collect samples of tissue to be sent off for examination in a laboratory setting under a microscope. Depending on what the preliminary tests, as well as the biopsy reveals, follow up tests such as an examination under anesthesia (commonly referred to as an EUA), a magnetic resonance imaging scan (commonly referred to as an MRI), a positron emission tomography scan (commonly referred to as a PET scan), or a computerized tomography scan (commonly referred to as a CT scan) may be ordered to check the lymph nodes for cancer.

If for any reason these tests are not ordered in a timely manner, the cancer could spread to other areas of the body which could cause the prognosis for a successful recovery to diminish. This is truly devastating for the patient because in many cases, this form of cancer is treatable. When a doctor does not act expeditiously and treat the patient's complaints seriously to rule out or in any more serious conditions, malpractice could have taken place, and a patient may be able to seek compensation for his or her damages.

Just as it is important to seek prompt medical attention for any condition you believe is serious, it is just as important to seek prompt legal help should you be the victim of medical negligence. Most states have strict statutes of limitations that must be adhered to in order to file a claim. Not knowing these statutes or not filing in time can reduce your chances of a favorable outcome, and may cause your case to be dismissed completely.

Hiring a personal injury attorney to assist you with your claim can remove a tremendous amount of worry. These professionals will review the details of your case, assess its validity, collect medical records, interview medical professionals, and file all legal paperwork on your behalf. Best of all, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing upfront. Not having to worry about how to fund your claim will provide you with great peace of mind and the ability to focus on your personal recovery. You should not suffer in silence, and you should not hesitate to hold those responsible accountable.

For information on medical malpractice lawyers & attorneys, visit the Philadelphia law firm website FeldmanShepherd.com.

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