Failure to Diagnose Ovarian Cancer

The symptoms of ovarian cancer were not always easily recognized. Now the symptoms are well recognized and the cancer can be diagnosed much earlier.

Failure to diagnose ovarian cancer in a timely manner can pose a serious threat to the life of the patient. Any delay in diagnosis because of a doctor’s negligence may create serious complications and may necessitate removal of all the reproductive organs and parts of the intestines. Early detection is the key to successful treatment of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer has caused many deaths, because the signs and symptoms of the disease were not easily recognized, and doctors could diagnose the cancer only after it had progressed and spread to other parts of the body. Today, the symptoms are well recognized and the cancer can be diagnosed at a much earlier stage.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Irritable bowel syndrome is the most common symptom of ovarian cancer .The patient may feel constant indigestion and experience nausea and pain in the abdomen. Contrary to what happens in the case of infections related to irritable bowel syndrome, the symptoms of ovarian cancer worsen over time. The patient may experience a change in bowel habits and may have a constant urge to urinate. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer are:

• Loss of appetite.
• Feeling full.
• General fatigue.
• Abdominal bloating.
• Pelvic pain.
• Lower back pain.
• Change in menstrual cycle.

Women who have a history of ovarian cancer in their family should watch carefully for these symptoms and report them immediately to a specialist. Ovarian cancer cells can spread quickly to the surrounding tissues and organs. In more severe cases, the cancer cells enter the bloodstream and spread to lymph channels as well. In medical terms, ovarian cancer tumors are classified into three different types: epithelial, stromal, and germ. The epithelial tumors are the most common of all, accounting for 85 to 90 percent of all cases.

Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer

Screening tests for early detection of ovarian cancer are available, but some tests may show false positives or negatives. For this reason, it is important that you only go to reputable doctor who will perform the right types of tests and read the results correctly. The most commonly used diagnostic tests for ovarian cancer are:

• Pelvic exam.
• Ultrasound.
• CA 125 blood test to detect abnormal levels of CA 125 protein in blood.

A high level of CA 125 protein is not always a clear indicator of ovarian cancer, as women may have high levels of this protein, and some women with early stage cancer may have normal CA-125 levels. If a doctor performs surgery on the basis of this test alone, then the doctor may jeopardize the health and safety of the patient. On the other hand, if the doctor fails to order the right tests or reads the reports incorrectly and misses the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, then it can have life-threatening consequences for the patient. Delay in treatment can cause the cancer to spread to other organs, making treatment and recovery difficult.

St. Louis Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have been a victim of ovarian cancer misdiagnosis, consult with a St. Louis medical malpractice lawyer immediately. Call Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200 for a free consultation.