Advanced Cancer Of The Prostate And Medical Malpractice

Physicians generally use a blood test, called the PSA test, to screen asymptomatic male patients for cancer of the prostate.  Most doctors agree that high PSA levels require a need to inform the patient he may have cancer and to either refer the patient to a specialist or order diagnostic testing to determine whether the patient does have cancer.  Yet, delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer cases are all too common. 

Consider the following reported cases.  In the first reported case, a doctor help off for two years after consecutive high PSA test results before telling his patient that the patient might have cancer.  When the patient was finally diagnosed he already had advanced prostate cancer.  The law firm that handled this case reported they were able to settle the matter for $600,000 on behalf of the patient.  In the second reported case, a physician waited 16 months, with 3 consecutive abnormal PSA readings, prior to letting the patient know, a sixty-four year old man.  Prior to that the physician had actually told the male patient that the results were normal for a male his age.  The result: the cancer had already spread to the man’s seminal vesicles. The law firm that handled this matter was able to report a settlement of $1,500,000 on the patient’s behalf. 

As these two cases illustrate, if a physician does not follow up on an abnormal cancer screening test result and the patient’s cancer spreads during the delay caused by the doctor, a cancer lawyer can help you determine if that doctor is liable for malpractice.  In the worst case situation, a wrongful death attorney can help the patient’s family find out if they may have a wrongful death claim.  The above should not be considered medical or legal advice.  You should always consult with a doctor before taking medical advice or making a medical decision.  And always consult with an attorney concerning any potential legal matter.