Misdiagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer
Cancer as a Result of Medical Malpractice
Getting cancer anywhere on the body can be a terrifying and very dangerous situation. Pancreatic cancer is known for being one of the more difficult types of cancer because of the way it develops, the symptoms it shows, and how easy it is to miss. Medical malpractice involving pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis can be especially difficult due to how challenging the condition is to work with. This, in turn, can make cases difficult to get compensation for when a doctor really did fail in their duties. That doesn’t make it impossible, however, with a quality medical malpractice attorney by your side.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer and How They Develops
There are two types of pancreatic cancer: Exocrine and Endocrine Pancreatic Cancer. Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer is the more common form where many tumors usually begin their development in the ducts of the pancreas and are known as ductal adenocarcinoma. Other times cancer begins in the acini which are small sacks in the glands that involve pancreatic secretions.
There is a condition known as IPMN (intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm) which also starts in the ducts of the pancreas and result in thick fluid being secreted known as mucin. Although this condition is not cancerous itself, it can develop into pancreatic cancer.
The more rare version of pancreatic cancer is Endocrine Pancreatic Cancer. The tumors for this cancer as known as PNETs (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors). These make up only 1% of pancreatic cancers. The tumors can be functioning or not based on if they are able to produce hormones that affect the body and the cells.
Medical Conditions that Mimic Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most misdiagnosed of all the cancer types out there. It is very difficult to detect until much too late. Commonly, pancreatic cancer is mistaken as gallbladder disease, acid reflux, or peptic ulcer disease. Pancreatic cancer has symptoms that perfectly mimic other more likely issues including: serious pain, upset or unsettled stomach, gagging and nausea, pancreatitis, and weight loss. An actual study was performed with 300 patients by comparing their records. Most of them were treated for other ailments that were inaccurate, even going as far as to have unnecessary surgeries such as gallbladder removal.
Establish a Case for Misdiagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer
Misdiagnosis of pancreatic cancer are devastating because this disease spreads especially quickly. Also, as this disease spreads, it stops the pancreas from functioning properly which stops the body’s ability to break down food and also to produce insulin for regulating sugar levels in the blood. With this level of danger, it is naturally only worse when a doctor should have known better.
The issue with these types of cases is, it can be difficult to gather enough evidence to prove a doctor was negligent. Because of how easy it is to misdiagnosis and way the condition mimics others, it is often not considered a failure to exercise a standard duty of care. To establish a case, often an attorney should show evidence that the symptomatology was not taken seriously and that tests that could have made sure a diagnosis was conclusive were not conducted. Having a qualified medical malpractice attorney on your side can really make the difference.
Contact a Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Consultation About Your Misdiagnosis Case in Pennsylvania
Were you or a loved one injured due to medical malpractice in Pennsylvania? Then you need to talk to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible for guidance on how to proceed. The Pittsburgh medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese, LLC are prepared to assist you with your legal claim. We represent victims of negligent surgeons, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists throughout Pennsylvania, including Butler, Cranberry Township, Erie, and Greensburg. Call us today at (412) 471-4300 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Our main office is located at 310 Grant St #720, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.