Pittsburgh Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Cervical cancer and ovarian cancer are silent killers. The early symptoms are similar to dozens of other health conditions, and even as the tumor progresses, there is no one classic symptom or simple test. By the time these cancers are verified through biopsy, it’s often too late.

Because ovarian and cervical cancers are difficult to diagnose, it is also difficult to prove medical malpractice for a delayed diagnosis. A successful malpractice lawsuit often hinges on that differential diagnosis — the physician’s failure of an obligation to rule out cancer.

If you believe that doctors let you or your loved one down by not investigating far enough, the Pittsburgh cervical cancer misdiagnosis attorneys of Hal Waldman and Associates would like to hear from you. We have held physicians and hospitals across Pennsylvania accountable for failure to diagnose ovarian and cervical cancer.

Your belated cancer diagnosis matters to us. We care. We are on your side. Call or e-mail Hal Waldman and Associates in Pittsburgh to schedule a free conversation.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Nearly 22,000 cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed annually, and nearly 14,000 women die from it each year. For cervical cancer, there are about 10,000 new cases and 4,000 deaths each year.

Ovarian cancer is highly treatable in early stages, but more than 75 percent of cases are not diagnosed until advanced stages, when the cancer has spread to other systems and surgery and chemotherapy are no longer effective. Thus, the overall survival rate after five years is just 45 percent.

Most women have one or more (a) general symptoms such as abdominal swelling, constipation and leg pain, coupled with one or more (b) gynecological symptoms such as vaginal bleeding, frequent urination or painful intercourse.

Cervical cancer is also very treatable in early stages, but it is an aggressive cancer. The five-year survival rate drops from 95-plus percent for early stage 1 diagnosis to 65 percent at stage 2, 40 percent at stage 3 and less than 20 percent at stage 4.

The Pap smear test has dramatically decreased cervical cancer deaths. For those cancers or pre-cancers not identified by early screening, there are few symptoms until the cancer has begun to invade other tissues. But there are signs, such as unusual vaginal discharge, unusually heavy menstruation or spotting between periods, and vaginal bleeding, along with general symptoms, that should raise the eyebrows of a vigilant primary care physician or gynecologist.

Our lawyers are skilled at showing that the signs were there that demanded further tests, a biopsy or a referral to an oncologist. We work with top medical experts who can attest from the medical records that the cumulative symptoms, the persistence of symptoms and any patient risk factors for ovarian cancer or cervical cancer should have led to an earlier diagnosis.

We have also won delayed diagnosis cases against radiologists and hospitals for lab errors, misreading of tests and other negligence.

How We Can Help

The tragedy is that these cancers are so treatable when detected early. At Hal Waldman and Associates, we fight to compensate clients for costs of medical care and palliative care, lost earnings (if applicable), emotional pain and suffering, reduced life expectancy and the lost enjoyment of life.

To make an appointment for a free case evaluation with a Pittsburgh ovarian and cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawyer, call 412-338-1000 or use our online contact form.