Ovarian cancer accounts for only 3% of all cancers that affect women, however the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance reports that less than 45% of women diagnosed will have positive outcomes after five years. Early detection for ovarian cancer is critical.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer of the ovaries and you believe an earlier diagnosis would have improved the outcome, call McEnery Price Messey & Sullivan’s doctor/attorney Robert Messey and nurse/attorney Gayle Sullivan right away. They will begin an immediate medical and legal investigation into your medical malpractice case. For cases like this, there is a specific amount of time the law allows for a suit to be filed. An experienced and knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can help you with your case.
How is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?
Routine gynecological exams may help your doctor detect ovarian cancer early. When detected at an early stage, 94% of ovarian cancer patients live longer than 5 years. Your doctor will conduct a physical pelvic examination or if you show symptoms, he or she may order further testing.
Two tests are most commonly used to screen for ovarian cancer: a transvaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 blood test. If these tests come back negative your doctor should send you to a specialist in gynecologic oncology.
Further testing may be ordered including ultrasounds, computed tomography (CT) scans, MRI scans, barium enema x-ray, and/or a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Biopsies of the tissue may also be ordered to determine a diagnosis and stage.
How Does a Delayed Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis Occur?
You or your loved one’s delayed cancer diagnosis could have been the result of medical malpractice (a deviation from the standard of care causing permanent injury, including death) if the patient was:
- Not properly screened or screened at all,
- Not ordered for further scans and testing,
- Not referred to a specialist when early screening tests are abnormal.
Attorneys Messey and Sullivan bring their extensive medical and legal backgrounds to medical malpractice cases with this level of complexity. If you suspect there may have been a delayed response to your ovarian cancer diagnosis, call our office immediately at 1-855-494-8300.
