Misdiagnosis of Lung Cancer Attorneys in Pittsburgh

Lung cancer is one of the most common fatal cancers, resulting in more deaths than other cancers combined. Only 15 percent of lung cancer patients live longer than five years. It accounts for more than a million deaths throughout the world each year.

Some types of lung cancer are very aggressive and spread quickly. That makes it even more critical to get a quick diagnosis. A delay in starting treatment, whether because of a misdiagnosis or a delay in diagnosis, can greatly increase the chance that a case of lung cancer will prove fatal.

How Lung Cancer Is Misdiagnosed

Patients with lung cancer are sometimes misdiagnosed and treated or conditions such as:

• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Asthma
• Tuberculosis

It is relatively easy to identify lung cancer cells under a microscope. A physician should suspect lung cancer when a patient presents with symptoms combined with commonly accepted risk factors that include:

• Smoking
• Exposure to radon
• Exposure to asbestos
• Exposure to significant air pollution
• Exposure to X-rays and Gamma radiation
• Having a near relative with lung cancer

The symptoms most closely associated with lung cancer are a wheezing cough and coughing up blood. However, patients may also present with a variety of other symptoms that include chest pain, weight loss, shortness of breath, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing. When patients have a symptom like these along with the known risk factors, doctors should always screen for lung cancer. Not doing so may constitute medical negligence.

Contact Our Western Pennsylvania Law Firm

The attorneys at Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC understand the medical and legal issues involved in cases of medical malpractice involving misdiagnosis of lung cancer. If your cancer was misdiagnosed or not diagnosed when it should have been, we will make sure that your rights are upheld and seek compensation for your injuries. We hire top experts and conduct extensive interviews with the medical personnel involved to find out why your cancer was not diagnosed the first time.  Contact our law firm to learn about your rights. Remember, we charge no fee until we win your case.