Failure To Diagnose Skin Cancer

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Skin cancer, including melanoma, is highly treatable when caught early, but a misdiagnosis or delay in detection can allow the disease to progress to an advanced, more dangerous stage. When a healthcare provider fails to diagnose skin cancer in a timely manner, it may be medical malpractice.

Skin cancer occurs when abnormal skin cells grow uncontrollably. The most common types include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Key warning signs include:

• A new or changing mole
• A sore that does not heal
• A mole with irregular borders or multiple colors
• Itching, bleeding, or crusting skin lesions
• Rapid growth of a skin lesion

Dermatologists and general practitioners should be vigilant in assessing these symptoms, as early detection is crucial for effective treatment and survival. If you are seeing your doctor every year they should be examining you for possible problems.

Despite clear symptoms and warning signs, doctors sometimes fail to diagnose skin cancer. Common mistakes include:

• Dismissing symptoms as benign or less serious conditions: Doctors may attribute suspicious skin changes to eczema, warts, or infections rather than investigating further.
• Failure to perform a biopsy: A skin biopsy is the definitive way to diagnose cancer. If a doctor fails to order or perform one, the disease may go undetected.
• Inadequate patient exam: A rushed or incomplete skin examination can lead to missed warning signs.
• Misinterpreting lab results: Errors in reading the pathology results can cause a delayed or incorrect diagnosis, leading to improper treatment.

Medical malpractice cases involving skin cancer misdiagnosis can be complex and require expert testimony. There are two keys to winning a case. First, you need facts on your side. This usually means that there was a six month or more delay in diagnosing you and that the cancer has spread. The second key to success is having a top level Illinois medical malpractice law firm investigate the case and represent you.

There are only a handful of truly elite firms for these cases. It can be the difference not only between winning and losing, but also of many millions of dollars if you do win. If you or a family member has suffered due to a failure to diagnose skin cancer, we can help you get with a top law firm. Call our lawyers any time for a free case review at 312-346-5320.