Failure to Diagnose Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer ranks among the top ten most prevalent cancers globally, impacting both women and men. When kidney cancer is diagnosed in the earlier stages, the prognosis is usually favorable, and the five-year survival rate is high. As kidney cancer progresses to later stages, though, the long-term survival rates decrease rapidly. In other words, the early diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer greatly increases the chances of good outcomes, while missed or delayed diagnoses often lead to fatal harm. If you or someone you love suffered damages due to a doctor’s careless failure to diagnose kidney cancer, you could be owed compensation, and you should contact an attorney at your earliest convenience. The seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice lawyers of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers are well-versed in what it takes to demonstrate negligent doctors should be held accountable for the harm they cause, and if we represent you, we will fight to help you seek the results you deserve. We frequently assist injured parties with medical malpractice claims in Syracuse, as well as in Rochester and cities throughout Upstate New York.

Numerous symptoms can indicate a person may have kidney cancer. One of the most common signs of kidney cancer is the presence of blood in the urine, which may give it a pink, red, or dark color. Persistent pain in the lower back or on the side not caused by an injury, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss can indicate a person has kidney cancer as well. Kidney cancer can also cause chronic fatigue and weakness, sporadic fevers that are not related to infections, and swelling and lumps in the abdomen.

If a doctor suspects a patient has kidney cancer, they will typically conduct a variety of diagnostic tests, including blood tests, CT scans, and MRIs. They will also usually perform a biopsy to definitively confirm the presence of cancerous cells and determine the specific type of kidney cancer. Treatment options for kidney cancer vary depending on the patient’s overall health and the stage of the cancer; generally, patients diagnosed at earlier stages have better treatment options and a more favorable diagnosis. As such, the failure to diagnose kidney cancer often causes devastating losses.

Patients trust physicians with their health, expecting that any symptoms they present with will be thoroughly assessed, leading to a timely and accurate diagnosis. All too often, though, physicians breach this trust and fail to correctly identify the underlying cause of a patient’s symptoms, which ultimately causes them to suffer significant harm.

Patients injured by a doctor’s failure to diagnose kidney cancer will often seek redress via medical malpractice lawsuits. In most instances, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case will set forth a negligence claim against the defendant. Pursuant to New York law, a patient averring negligence in the context of medical care must prove that the defendant owed them a duty and that the defendant breached the duty owed. The duty a doctor owes a patient is usually to provide them with care that comports with what is considered the accepted and good practice of medicine in the community in which the defendant practices; any acts or omissions that deviate from this practice arguably constitute a breach. Next, the plaintiff needs to establish that the defendant’s departure from the standard of care directly caused the plaintiff to suffer actual losses. In most cases, the plaintiff will need to offer the judge or jury expert testimony regarding the standard of care and the ways in which the defendant breached the standard, causing the plaintiff’s injuries.

Kidney cancer is usually treatable in the early stages, but as it progresses, it becomes more difficult to manage and is often fatal; as such, a prompt diagnosis is key to good patient outcomes. If you or a loved one suffered losses due to the failure to diagnose kidney cancer, it is in your best interest to meet with an attorney to discuss your potential claims. The seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers take pride in helping victims of incompetent medical care in the pursuit of justice, and if you hire us, we will craft a compelling case in your favor. Our primary office is in Syracuse, and we frequently help parties pursue damages in Syracuse, Rochester, and other cities in Upstate New York. You can contact us to arrange a free and confidential meeting by using our online form or by calling us at 833-200-2000.