(845) 802-0047When we go for a doctor’s checkup or to the hospital, we go there with the expectation that the staff are professionals. They have a duty of care that they must follow and we trust their judgment. Unfortunately, there are times when a doctor, surgeon, or other medical caregiver breaches the usual standards of care. If this error occurs while in the process of identifying tumors, a cancer malpractice claim is possible.
If there was an improper delay in diagnosing your cancer, or if it was never diagnosed at all, an Albany pancreatic cancer malpractice lawyer could work with you to file suit for damages. Contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney today.
What Does the Pancreas Do?
The pancreas is an organ that is located behind the stomach that manages hormone levels, produces insulin and glucagon, and produces pancreatic juice which is used to help break down food for digestion. As with many other parts of the human anatomy, it is also susceptible to cancer.
Testing for Pancreatic Cancer
Most people who develop pancreatic cancer complain of abdominal pain. The patient will often present initially with abdominal pain, and it is typical for a primary care doctor to order blood tests that will show the pancreatic function.
The two tests are called amylase and lipase, and they can show whether the pancreas is functioning the way that it should. Those tests can also lead to a diagnosis of pancreatitis, which is a condition where the pancreas becomes enflamed but it is not yet cancerous. If pancreatic cancer is suspected, an imaging study such as a CAT scan can be used to specify where the tumor is located, and then a biopsy can be used to determine the type of pancreatic cancer. If a doctor misdiagnosed the cancer as pancreatitis – or vice-versa – a person should speak with a pancreatic cancer malpractice attorney in Albany if they suffered injury as a result.
Ultimately, if a patient has a pancreatic tumor, they should undergo surgery to remove the tumor, plus any surrounding lymph nodes that can be tested by a biopsy to determine whether the cancer has spread.
Types of Pancreatic Cancer
There are two types of pancreatic cancer. One type is called pancreatic exocrine cancer, which is much more common and much more lethal than the other type, which is known as pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer.
When determining the survival rate of a type of cancer, the medical community typically looks at the five-year outlook from the date of diagnosis. For pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer, the five-year survival rate is 53%. The survival rate for the exocrine type is only about 6%. If a misdiagnosis or improper treatment leads to a loved one’s passing, then a family member could work with an Albany pancreatic cancer malpractice lawyer to file a wrongful death suit.
In almost all cases, the part of the pancreas that has a tumor has to be removed surgically. Then the patient will, in some cases, undergo both chemotherapy and radiation therapy to kill the remaining cancer cells that may be present microscopically.
Confer with an Albany Pancreatic Cancer Malpractice Attorney
You have the right to recover compensation for any losses you suffered, including for medical bills that you would not have incurred otherwise. An Albany pancreatic cancer malpractice lawyer is available to hear your case. Contact one now to schedule a consultation with an experienced legal professional.