Endometrial cancer is a malignancy that originates in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. It is the most common type of cancer affecting the female reproductive system. The prognosis for women with endometrial cancer varies significantly depending on when they are diagnosed. When it is diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate is approximately 90%, but it is drastically less for women diagnosed with later-stage cancer. In other words, the failure to diagnose endometrial cancer drastically impairs women’s treatment options and the likelihood of a favorable outcome. If you or a loved one were hurt by a doctor’s failure to diagnose endometrial cancer, it is smart to speak to an attorney about what damages you might be able to pursue. The assertive Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers have ample experience navigating the legal and emotional complexities of claims against negligent doctors, and if you hire us, we will zealously pursue justice on your behalf. We represent injured patients in medical malpractice cases in Syracuse, Rochester, and cities throughout Upstate New York.
Harm Caused by the Failure to Diagnose Endometrial CancerThe symptoms caused by endometrial cancer are often vague and mimic those caused by other conditions. For example, it may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen. When a patient presents with such symptoms, a doctor should conduct a thorough examination and, if necessary, perform blood tests as well as diagnostic tests, such as MRIs and biopsies of the endometrium. This is especially important if a woman has risk factors that make her more susceptible to developing endometrial cancer, like obesity, hormonal imbalances, and a history of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome or endometrial hyperplasia.
Early-stage endometrial cancer is typically treated with surgery to remove the uterus and surrounding tissues. Treatment for advanced-stage endometrial cancer may involve a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. The likelihood of achieving remission decreases as the cancer becomes more advanced, however, and the five-year survival rate drops accordingly. In other words, the failure to diagnose endometrial cancer greatly diminishes the possibility of a positive outcome.
Claims Arising Out of the Failure to Diagnose Endometrial CancerPeople harmed by the failure to diagnose endometrial cancer will often pursue medical malpractice claims against the physicians responsible for their harm. In a medical malpractice case in New York, the plaintiff will usually need to prove the defendant’s negligence to recover damages.
To do so, they must establish the defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff; the duty, which is to adhere to the relevant standard of care, usually arises out of the doctor-patient relationship. The plaintiff must then show that the defendant provider breached this duty by deviating from the standard of care. This breach typically involves an act or omission that another reasonably competent healthcare provider under similar circumstances would not have committed.
Last, the plaintiff must establish a direct link between the defendant’s breach of duty and the harm suffered, proving causation. This requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that their injuries or worsened condition would not have occurred if not for the defendant’s negligence.
Expert testimony is often crucial in medical malpractice cases to establish both the standard of care and the defendant’s breach of the standard. Additionally, expert testimony is often needed to prove causation and demonstrate the plaintiff’s damages.
Talk to a Dedicated Medical Malpractice Attorney in Syracuse, Rochester, or Upstate New YorkEndometrial cancer is often manageable when it is caught early, but if a diagnosis is delayed or dismissed, it can be difficult to treat. If you or someone you loved suffered damages due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose endometrial cancer, it is smart to talk to an attorney about your possible claims. The dedicated Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers can inform you of your options and help you to pursue any damages recoverable under the law. Our principal office is located in Syracuse, and we often help people seek compensation in medical malpractice cases in Syracuse as well as in Rochester and other cities in Upstate New York. You can contact us to set up a complimentary and confidential conference by calling us at 833-200-2000 or via our online form.