Compensation For Missed Bladder Cancer
Over a period of three years Agatha repeatedly attended medical appointments for her symptoms, but no one knew what was wrong. Eventually a simple test revealed she had advanced bladder cancer.
When Agatha began to experience lower abdominal pain when she urinated, she sought advice from her GP. She felt she was not emptying her bladder properly and had to get up constantly in the night to go to the bathroom.
Initially, her GP did nothing to treat the problem but after several repeat visits Agatha was eventually referred to hospital for an ultrasound.
The scan did not reveal evidence of any fibroids but did show that her bladder was not emptying properly. This is called a residual bladder. Consequently Agatha was referred on to a urogynaecologist for further tests.
The appointment involved another pelvic ultrasound which confirmed a residual bladder. Three months later, Agatha had yet another ultrasound and a urine flow test.
Agatha felt she was getting nowhere, simply having the same tests with no diagnosis or treatment. She was instead taught self-catheterisation which she found very painful. The nurse described this as unusual as the procedure should be painless.
Agatha returned to hospital under the care of the same consultant repeatedly over the next 18 months. During this time no diagnosis was offered and Agatha felt she was being viewed by clinicians as a hypochondriac.
However, she knew something was wrong and her symptoms were getting worse. She requested a second opinion from a urologist and an appointment was arranged with another consultant.
He reviewed her notes and said there was little else that could be done, other than another cystoscopy for Agatha's 'peace of mind'. This was performed the following month and revealed cancerous growths and tumours across the bladder and mouth of the urethra.
The consultant admitted the bladder tumours explained all her symptoms and had not been identified by the former consultant as he had been using a rigid camera. Shortly afterwards, Agatha had her bladder and uterus removed along with vaginal reconstruction.
After 11 weeks in hospital Agatha began a course of chemotherapy. She was reviewed the following year which thankfully showed that she was free of cancer. Nevertheless, she has been left with significant physical and emotional injuries.
She must now use a urostomy bag in the absence of a bladder. This makes her feel very self-conscious and it sometimes leaks. The chemotherapy has led to peripheral myopathy and neuropathy in her hands and feet. She can no longer do the outdoor activities she used to enjoy.
The treatment has also left Agatha extremely fatigued and she is terrified the cancer will return. Her immune system is now very poor and she suffers with repeated infections and viruses. Each time she is concerned that it is because the cancer has come back.
Agatha is also angry at the consultant for having failed to diagnose her with bladder cancer. A simple urine test can reveal bladder cancer, as can a flexible cystoscopy. He failed to do either of these things.
As a result the diagnosis and treatment was delayed for three years, allowing the tumour to spread. This necessitated radical surgery which could have been avoided with earlier intervention. It was only when Agatha pushed for a second opinion that a diagnosis was made. If she hadn't done this, the consequences could have been fatal.
We helped her make a claim against the consultant for the negligence she repeatedly encountered. She was awarded over £150,000 compensation.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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