Doctor holding anatomical model of female reproductive system to explain ovarian cancer misdiagnosis

Ovarian Cancer Misdiagnosis

When something is wrong, you have trust in your doctor to diagnose the issue and guide you toward recovery. This is especially true for cancer detection. Due to cancer’s fast-growing nature, timely diagnosis and treatment are critical for successful patient treatment. Unfortunately, failure to diagnose ovarian cancer can cause life-threatening issues for women and may ultimately prove to be fatal.

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our highly experienced ovarian cancer misdiagnosis lawyers in Chicago work closely with women impacted by substandard medical care. We explain their legal rights and options for pursuing meaningful compensation and accountability for their medical expenses, losses, and pain and suffering.

If a delayed diagnosis or the failure to detect ovarian cancer has impacted your life, it is time to contact a skilled cancer misdiagnosis attorney for help. Reach out to Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today to schedule a free, no-obligation legal consultation to help you learn more about your options. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your case.

Why You Need a Medical Malpractice Attorney If Your Cancer Was Misdiagnosed

Ovarian cancer misdiagnosis cases do not just cost patients financially; they can cost them their lives. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, and when substandard medical care results in a failure to diagnose an illness like ovarian cancer, the consequences can be dire. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we advocate for ovarian cancer patients, helping them pursue justice and fair compensation for their medical expenses and other losses.

While no average ovarian cancer missed diagnosis settlement in Illinois exists, our experienced team pursues maximum compensation for every client we represent. We have recovered more than $2.5 billion in verdicts and settlements to date. Our lawyers have extensive experience handling cancer misdiagnosis situations and recovering top dollar for medical malpractice cases.

In addition to striving for maximum compensation on behalf of our clients, we also want to provide exceptional care and service for the people we represent. Client feedback means the world to our team, and statements from past clients like Jamie W. speak volumes: “Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Law Firm worked diligently on our case. They were informative and helpful every step of the way. Court proceedings take a long time and it’s important to choose the right firm for your case matters. I would highly recommend the team there!”

Our compassionate ovarian cancer misdiagnosis attorneys understand the pain and confusion you feel at this moment. We are ready to step in and provide you with legal advice, resources, and support to work through this challenging time. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.

How Is Ovarian Cancer Diagnosed?

Regular women’s health examinations are one of the best tools for finding the early signs of cancer, especially cancer of the reproductive system. However, ovarian cancer is seldom found through routine Pap smear tests. Ovarian cancer cells are generally not caught by these routine tests until the cancer has reached a more advanced stage.

The American Cancer Society recommends two screening tests for ovarian cancer: a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) or a CA-125 blood test. A TVUS utilizes sound waves to create an image of the female reproductive system. The imaging test cannot detect the presence of ovarian cancer cells. Still, it can find unusual masses or tumors that inform a physician that further tests, such as a biopsy or ovarian removal, are needed.

The CA-125 blood test looks for a specific protein in the blood called CA-125. Women with ovarian cancer often have elevated levels of this protein. Physicians can use the test to identify markers that may suggest an individual has ovarian cancer or another inflammatory disease that should be ruled out.

These tests, in connection with a complete medical history and physical assessment, may point to issues such as ovarian cancer. Symptoms a woman and her doctor should never ignore include bloating, pelvic pain, urinary symptoms, pain during sex, heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding, sudden weight loss, and trouble eating.

How Can Ovarian Cancer Be Misdiagnosed?

Ovarian cancer can be misdiagnosed, especially in its early stages, because signs of the disease can be non-specific. Physicians may attribute the symptoms of ovarian cancer to other medical conditions or diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual cramps, or endometriosis.

Unfortunately, there are situations where medical professionals also dismiss the pain and complaints of women. Numerous studies suggest gender bias in the medical profession may mean that women’s symptoms are overlooked or dismissed more often than those presented by men. Gender bias and women being perceived as less credible when they experience pain can contribute to the dismissal or misdiagnosis of ovarian cancer. This can happen when a patient is continually brushed off by her doctor after reporting concerning symptoms or risk factors, and the doctor fails to use diagnostic tools to uncover the source of the pain or discomfort.

Signs of Ovarian Cancer Misdiagnosis by Doctor

Recognizing the signs of ovarian cancer misdiagnosis by a doctor can be challenging. This is because ovarian cancer symptoms are often non-specific and overlap with numerous other medical conditions.

Signs of an ovarian cancer misdiagnosis may include the following:

  • A doctor disregarding the possibility of ovarian cancer
  • Failure to rule out ovarian cancer
  • Misreading or ignoring test results
  • Failure to assess a patient’s risk factors and medical history before disregarding ovarian cancer
  • Failing to order tests that may discover or rule out ovarian cancer

If you believe something feels wrong and are unsatisfied with your care or medical explanation for continuing symptoms or distress, seek a second opinion from another doctor. Medical malpractice involves a medical professional providing a patient with care that falls below the medically acceptable standard of care, leading ovarian cancer misdiagnosis cases to be highly evidence-based. Due to the fact-specific nature of these cases, you need the experienced cancer misdiagnosis lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. to determine whether you have a valid case.

Consequences of an Ovarian Cancer Misdiagnosis

The consequences of an ovarian cancer misdiagnosis can include the following:

  • Unnecessary medical treatments for other conditions
  • Delayed cancer treatment
  • The cancer spreading to other organs or areas of the body
  • The cancer progressing to a more advanced and difficult-to-treat stage
  • A need for more aggressive cancer treatment
  • Financial burdens
  • Death

Early diagnosis and treatment help improve patient prognosis. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis in ovarian cancer patients can cause devastating effects on a person’s physical and financial well-being.

Contact Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers for a Free Consultation

An experienced cancer misdiagnosis lawyer with Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you evaluate your legal options and provide emotional support and resources to help you navigate this challenging time. Contact our office today and request a free consultation with a compassionate ovarian cancer misdiagnosis lawyer in Chicago. You pay nothing unless we win your case and recover compensation on your behalf.