As you know, cancer requires early diagnosis and prompt treatment to increase the chances of patient survival. Unfortunately, it is a condition vulnerable to misdiagnosis, often leading to delayed treatment and decreased survivability.
Some cancers are more prone to an incorrect diagnosis than others. Here are four that are known for their diagnostic challenges.
Breast cancer
Despite being one of the most widely known cancers, countless patients still suffer from a misdiagnosis. Symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for less serious conditions, leading to critical delays in treatment.
Lung cancer
The symptoms of lung cancer often mirror those of less severe respiratory diseases, which can lead to diagnostic errors. Given the aggressive nature of this cancer, a misdiagnosis can mean the difference between life and death.
Colorectal cancer
This type of cancer can mimic noncancerous gastrointestinal disorders like ulcerative colitis. Symptoms like abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits can easily be attributed to less severe conditions, causing potentially life-saving interventions to be overlooked.
Lymphatic cancer
Lymphoma, or cancer of the lymphatic system, can be elusive due to its non-specific symptoms, such as swelling of lymph nodes, fatigue and fever. These can easily be dismissed as signs of a common infection, resulting in misdiagnosis and delayed intervention.
Early detection of these and all cancers is vital to patient survival and quality of life. Medical providers have a duty to conduct thorough examinations and tests to ensure accurate diagnoses. Proper diligence can prevent unnecessary treatments and open the opportunity to receive life-saving (or prolonging) care.
When health care providers fail to prevent harm, patients or surviving family members may be able to seek financial compensation.