Delayed Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. There are different types of prostate cancer, some of which develop very slowly, and some of which are very aggressive.
Either way, the symptoms of prostate cancer must be investigated immediately, as this will give the patient the best chance of success.
If a GP or other medical practitioner failed to diagnose your prostate cancer in a timely manner, you could have grounds for a medical negligence claim. Contact us for more information.
Prostate cancer
There is a wide variation of prostate cancers. Most grow very slowly and will only spread after around 10 to 15 years, if at all. However, some will grow extremely quickly and can spread to the lymph nodes, bones and other areas within two to five years. One such type of prostate cancer is high grade Gleason prostate cancer.
Diagnosing prostate cancer
A diagnosis of prostate cancer usually begins when a patient reports unexplained symptoms, such as:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blood in the urine
- Lower back pain
- Bone pain
- Weight loss
A patient with these symptoms should be suspected of having prostate cancer. Nevertheless, the symptoms are very similar to a urinary tract infection, so this needs to be ruled out first with a urine test.
If the patient is found to be free of infection, a rectal examination must be conducted to see if the prostate is enlarged. A blood test may also be arranged to test the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA), although this can be unreliable as levels can be raised by factors other than prostate cancer.
The next step is to refer a patient to a urologist. NICE guidelines state that a patient with unexplained back pain and erectile dysfunction should have an appointment at a specialist unit within two weeks.
During the hospital appointment more tests can be carried out, including a biopsy, serial PSA tests and MRI scans.
Once diagnosed, a suitable treatment plan can be decided upon. This will depend upon the type of prostate cancer present, and the extent to which it has spread (if at all).
Missed prostate cancer
If a GP fails to act upon symptoms reported by a patient, prostate cancer could remain undiagnosed for some time. Alternatively it may be that a referral is made and tests carried out, but the results are not interpreted accurately or are not repeated/acted upon. This delay can cause the tumour to grow and spread, an outcome that could have been avoided with earlier treatment.
Was your prostate cancer missed by a GP or other healthcare professional? If so please get in touch with us to discuss making a claim.
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To find out more about making a medical negligence claim, please get in touch with our team today. We will advise whether or not you are eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. If so, we can help you get the financial redress you deserve.
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