Endometrial cancer is the third-most common cancer that only affects women. When endometrial cancer patients are diagnosed in the early stages, the prognosis is generally good, but the outcomes worsen significantly when it is not caught until it has spread to other parts of the body. Despite this, doctors frequently miss the signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer until after it has metastasized. The failure to diagnose endometrial cancer is typically the result of negligence, and patients harmed by the carelessness of their doctors have the right to seek compensation. If you suffered losses due to a physician’s failure to properly diagnose endometrial cancer, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney. The trusted Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are well-versed in what it takes to hold reckless doctors accountable for the harm they cause, and if we represent you, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf.
Diagnosing Endometrial CancerEndometrial cancer, or cancer of the lining of the uterus, usually occurs after menopause. Certain factors, including obesity, excessive exposure to estrogen, diabetes, and high blood pressure, increase the risk of endometrial cancer. The primary symptom of endometrial cancer is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Pelvic pain, painful urination, and pain during sexual intercourse are also signs of endometrial cancer. If a patient presents with symptoms that may indicate endometrial cancer, a doctor should perform tests to determine if the symptoms are caused by a malignancy.
There is no standard screening test for endometrial cancer, and it is usually not found during pap smears. Typically, endometrial cancer is diagnosed via a biopsy of the endometrium. In some instances, a patient will be diagnosed after samples of her uterine lining are tested following a procedure known as dilation and curettage.
Establishing Liability for the Failure to Diagnose Endometrial CancerWhen endometrial cancer goes undiagnosed, it can spread throughout the body, which can make it harder to treat, and in many instances, fatal. As such, doctors that fail to diagnose their patients properly may be liable for medical malpractice.
Plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases will typically argue that the defendant was negligent. In Maryland, to prove negligence in the context of medical care, a plaintiff must first show that the defendant had a duty to comply with the standard of care, which is the treatment a competent professional working in the same practice area would offer in the same situation. The plaintiff then has to prove that the defendant violated the standard of care in some way. Generally, the plaintiff must hire a medical expert to explain the applicable standard of care to the judge or jury and to explain how the defendant departed from the standard of care.
The plaintiff then must connect the defendant’s behavior to the harm suffered. In other words, the plaintiff has to establish that they sustained measurable losses that would not have occurred had the defendant complied with the standard of care. Expert testimony is usually needed to establish causation as well. In many instances, the defendant will offer expert testimony opining that the plaintiff’s harm was the result of factors other than the breach of the standard of care or was inevitable. As such, whether the judge or jury finds a defendant liable for failing to diagnose endometrial cancer often depends on the strength of each party’s expert testimony.
Speak to an Experienced Baltimore AttorneyEndometrial cancer impacts hundreds of thousands of women each year, and an early diagnosis is crucial to a good outcome. As such, doctors that recklessly fail to provide a prompt and accurate diagnosis should be held accountable. If you suffered harm due to your doctor’s neglect, you may be owed damages, and you should speak to an attorney. The experienced Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group possess the skills and resources needed to prove liability for medical negligence, and if you hire us, we will work tirelessly to help you seek justice for your harm. We have an office in Baltimore, where we frequently represent people in medical malpractice cases. You can reach us via our online form or by calling us at 410-889-1850 to set up a conference.