Pittsburgh Delayed Diagnosis of Cancer Attorney
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Skin cancer is very treatable when detected at an early stage. Usual treatment entails surgical removal of the cancer cells with small or insignificant scarring. Large, invasive cancers, wherein a great amount of skin must be removed, will often require a skin graft. However, if the condition is misdiagnosed by a negligent physician, or if it is undiagnosed and left untreated, it can be extremely detrimental, and often fatal. At Ogg, Murphy& Perkosky, our lawyers work hard for clients of medical malpractice and cancer misdiagnosis.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
A doctor can usually diagnose a basal cell skin cancer just by looking at it. A biopsy of the area is the standard procedure to confirm the cancer diagnosis. Basal cancer is often caused by sun exposure and is rarely fatal, but misdiagnosis occurs when doctors interpret the blemishes to be something other than cancer, and proper safety procedures are not practiced.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cells are the main structural cells of the skin. Squamous cell cancer is likely to develop in chronic sore areas, or sun damaged and/or scarred areas. When this cancer is untreated it can grow into a large sore that involves underlying tissue. In some cases, it can spread to other parts of the body and metastasize, causing its negative effects to exponentially increase. This type of cancer often begins in the mouth. Physicians sometimes overlook this affliction and assume that the mouth lesions are simple canker sores. As you know a delay in the diagnosis of any type of cancer can mean the difference between life and death.
Melanoma
Melanoma, the most popular type of skin cancer, begins in the pigment producing cells of the skin (melanocytes). This type of cancer can also spread rapidly to other areas of the body and can continue to spread and destroy tissue. Instances of this type of cancer are often hereditary. An untreated atypical mole (dysplastic nevi) can later turn into deadly melanoma cancer. Melanoma that has grown more than 1/32 of an inch has likely metastasized through the lymphatic system and blood vessels, and chemotherapy is needed to treat the condition.
Let Experienced Pittsburgh Medical Malpractice Lawyers Stand Up For YOU
The misdiagnosis of a tiny skin cancer can lead to huge problems. The failure of a physician to address and treat skin cancer at an early stage can lead to severe complications. Often, disfiguring surgical procedures must take place-these procedures can be prevented when doctors recognize the cancer when they are supposed to. The attorneys at Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky have been litigating medical malpractice suits for nearly 30 years. Our proven record of helping our clients receive the compensation they deserve is undeniable. Call Ogg, Murphy & Perkosky today for a free preliminary consultation, and speak to one of our trusted attorneys about the kind of results we can get for you. Call 412-567-7970 or (toll free) 888-334-6012, or email us for a FREE CASE EVALUATION. Call today, and let US stand up for YOU.
