Physician And Man Resolve Prostate Cancer Malpractice Lawsuit For $500,000

There are screening tests that are used by doctors to find prostate cancer in men before they become symptomatic. Yet, regardless of whether a physician tests a male patient the tests do not amount to anything if the doctor does not tell the patient, follow up with a referral to a specialist or order additional testing if the results were abnormal. This may result in a holdup in finding the man's cancer and a worsening of the patient's prognosis. prognosis.

Below, we analyze the report of a lawsuit which alleged a delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer. This occured even though his physician had information that was highly suggestive of cancer for from 1 to 3 years before the man's diagnosis. The case involved the allegation of a delay of from 1 and 3 years in diagnosing the mans cancer.

A male patient went to his family doctor for a physical examination. Due to the male's age, the physician carried out a physical examination of his prostate and documented that it was slightly firm on the left. This is an abnormal finding that suggests the possibility of cancer. The PSA, however, came back 2.35 (a reading normally considered to be within the normal range). Nearly two years afterward, the man went back for another physical. The physician at this point noted no abnormalities with the prostate but the PSA test was 4.18. This is elevated and was an almost doubling of the prior reading. Moreover this reading was almost double the reading of the patient's PSA from 2 years earlier. However, the doctor had not advised the man that there were abnormal prostate cancer screening test results that were that raised suggested he had cancer, had not referred the man to a Urologist, and had not ordered any diagnostic testing (such as a biopsy) to determine whether the abnormal test results were due to cancer or to a benign reason. It was three years following the initial finding that the mans physician finally referred him to a Urologist (who diagnosed the cancer) after a PSA of 6.8.

By the time of the diagnosis, the the man's prostate cancer spread outside the gland. The man pursued a malpractice claim against his family doctor for the delayed diagnosis of the cancer. The doctor, however, claimed that he had not received a copy of the PSA test and so he had not known about the rise in the mans PSA. The doctor additionally took the position that the man was not damaged from the delay.

The law firm that represented the patient reported that a settlement was attained with the physician. The settlement took place more than 7 years following the person's diagnosis and he had not experienced a return of the cancer in that time. The reported amount of the settlement was $500,000.

The above is not meant to be taken as medical advice. It is also not legal advice. The above is only intended as general information. Should you have any health issues check with a doctor without delay.

The outcome of this lawsuit supports the observation that if a doctor does not follow up on abnormal test results and the resulting lapse of time permits the persons condition and prognosis to worsen that physician may be faced with a medical malpractice case. If you think you could be a victim of advanced cancer as a result of medical malpractice speak right away with an attorney skilled in cancer malpractice cases.