Sarcoma Diagnosis Negligence Claim
If a delay in diagnosing a sarcoma leaves the patient with a significantly worse outcome, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
It is recommended that medical professionals have a high level of suspicion regarding unidentified lumps in the body in order to avoid misdiagnosis or a complete failure of diagnosis of cancer.
Over 3000 people are diagnosed with a sarcoma in the UK each year and NICE guidelines recommend that patients who are suspected of developing cancer should have a prompt referral for consultation.
The impact of a delay in diagnosing soft-tissue sarcomas
A failure to diagnose a sarcoma at an early stage can have debilitating implications for the patient:
- They are more likely to suffer physical damage from both the cancer and the related surgery if diagnosis is delayed
- Radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments are likely to be more extended if delays have allowed the cancer to develop
- Their recovery period is likely to be longer
- They are more likely to require an amputation
- They are more likely to die if a delay in diagnosis has allowed the cancer to spread to other parts of the body
Diagnosis
Clearly, early diagnosis is vital. If the patient does not notice their symptoms and only consults their GP when the cancer has already spread and developed, it's possible that there is little their health professionals can do to improve their long-term outcome.
If the patient attends their GP at an early stage with symptoms of a soft-tissue sarcoma, however, and diagnosis is delayed, it may make a significant difference to the patient's outcome and a compensation claim may be an appropriate course of action.
A definite diagnosis of a soft-tissue sarcoma is likely to require a scan and a failure to make an appropriate and timely referral may constitute substandard care.
If a patient visits their GP with a new and unexplained lump, perhaps on one of their limbs or on the trunk of the body, it is vital that it is checked out. If the lump appears to be increasing in size, it may be a sarcoma and require urgent surgery.
Medical negligence
A failure to consider a sarcoma diagnosis or a delay in referring a patient for investigation may be considered to be substandard care.
If you or a loved one are suffering significant, long-term problems due to a delay in diagnosing and treating your sarcoma, it may be affecting your life in a number of ways. Contact us to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor about making a claim for compensation.
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