Delayed or Missed Kidney Cancer Diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis is life-altering, but when detected early, many cancers, including kidney cancer, can be treated effectively. When a doctor fails to diagnose kidney cancer in a timely manner, however, the consequences can be devastating. A delayed or missed kidney cancer diagnosis can allow the disease to advance unchecked, limiting treatment options and drastically affecting a patient’s prognosis. If you were harmed by a delayed or missed kidney cancer diagnosis, you have the right to pursue justice, and you should talk to an attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano LLP Cancer Lawyers, our skilled Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys take pride in helping victims of medical malpractice pursue the financial recovery they deserve, and if you hire us, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf. Our experienced attorneys represent cancer malpractice victims in Syracuse, Rochester, and throughout Upstate New York.

A delayed or missed kidney cancer diagnosis can have devastating consequences. Kidney cancer typically begins as a localized tumor, and when detected early, it can often be treated successfully through surgery, targeted therapy, or other medical interventions. However, when a physician fails to diagnose the disease in its early stages, it can progress to an advanced or metastatic stage, spreading to other organs such as the lungs, bones, or liver. The harm caused by a delayed diagnosis may include the need for more aggressive treatments, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, which can have severe side effects. Patients may also face diminished survival rates and a reduced quality of life due to more invasive procedures and prolonged suffering. Additionally, if kidney cancer spreads beyond the kidneys, treatment options may become limited, significantly decreasing the chances of remission.

Patients who suffer harm due to a physician’s failure to diagnose kidney cancer in a timely manner may have the right to pursue medical malpractice lawsuits. Typically, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case must prove the defendant’s negligence.

Under New York law, a plaintiff arguing the defendant was negligent must first demonstrate that the defendant had a duty to offer care that aligns with what is considered the accepted and good practice of medicine. In other words, the treatment provided must meet the level of skill and diligence that a competent healthcare provider in the same specialty would exercise under similar circumstances. If a physician fails to adhere to this standard, they may be deemed negligent.

Next, the plaintiff must show that the physician breached this duty in some way, such as by failing to properly evaluate symptoms, order appropriate tests, or interpret diagnostic imaging accurately. Additionally, the plaintiff must prove that the doctor’s deviation from the duty owed directly caused them harm. This means demonstrating that, but for the delay in diagnosis, the cancer could have been detected earlier, and the plaintiff could have received more effective treatment. Expert testimony from oncologists, radiologists, or other medical specialists is often required to establish how the doctor’s failure to diagnose cancer deviated from accepted medical standards and how that failure led to the plaintiff’s worsened condition.

A successful medical malpractice lawsuit can help patients and their families recover compensation for the losses suffered due to a physician’s negligence. These damages may include medical expenses, such as the costs associated with additional treatments, surgeries, medications, and hospital stays that could have been avoided with an earlier diagnosis. Plaintiffs may also seek compensation for lost income due to the inability to work while undergoing more extensive treatments. Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life may also be available, as they account for the physical and psychological toll of a delayed diagnosis.

If you or someone you love sustained injuries due to a delayed or missed kidney cancer diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses you have endured, and you should talk to an attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano LLP Cancer Lawyers, our trusted Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys are proficient at navigating complex cancer misdiagnosis cases, and if we represent you, we will work diligently to show the providers responsible for your harm should be held accountable. Our main office is in Syracuse, and we regularly represent clients in cancer malpractice cases throughout Syracuse, Rochester, and Upstate New York. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, please contact us through our online form or call 833-200-2000.