New Jersey Lung Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorneys

Failure to Diagnose Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The non-small cell cancer types include adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and, carcinoid lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope following a biopsy. The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 220,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in 2009 and that 159,000 Americans will die from the disease in the same year.

Patients who are suspected of having lung cancer should undergo a thorough physical examination, and, in most cases, chest x-rays should be ordered. Despite compelling symptoms, such as, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chronic cough, and chest pain or discomfort, some physicians can confuse symptoms of lung cancer with other illnesses, including:

• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Bronchitis

However, If a routine physical examination reveals swollen lymph nodes above the collarbone, a mass in the abdomen, weak breathing, abnormal sounds in the lungs, or dullness when the chest is tapped, your doctor should suspect lung cancer. Patients who also have hemoptysis, which is evidence of blood in sputum, should also raise a red flag for any physician. Risk factors, like a history of smoking must also be taken into consideration. A chest x-ray should be ordered on any patient in whom lung cancer is suspected, which may reveal an abnormality. If an abnormality is present, it should be followed up with a chest CT scan, bronchoscopy and/or biopsy to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Despite typical symptoms and a number of available tests, lung cancer remains undiagnosed until late stages far too often. The result of a delay in diagnosis for this illness can be devastating and is sometimes fatal. The sooner lung cancer is diagnosed and treated (Stage I or II, for example), generally, the better the outcome for the patient. The experienced New Jersey lung cancer misdiagnosis lawyers at Blume Goldfaden have a track record of success in failure to diagnose cases. Our attorneys rely on medical experts to help review their client’s cases and determine where errors were made in diagnosis and treatment.

If your physician failed to diagnose your lung cancer, or misdiagnosed it initially, you may be able to hold them liable for their negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation.