Dismissed High PSA Might Lead To Medical Malpractice Claim
The PSA is a blood test administered by doctors to test male patients who have no symptoms for prostate cancer. An abnormally high or fast rising PSA may indicate that the man may have prostate cancer. Such findings therefore normally lead to more testing, such as a biopsy, to find out whether the man actually has cancer.
There are, however, two basic problems with a biopsy. First a biopsy samples only a portion of the prostate. Therefore the a biopsy could produce a false negative , missing the cancer. Second, biopsies pose dangers, including the possibility of infection and the risk of severe bleeding.
Because of these two factors some doctors to advise that men who have an elevated PSA pursue a plan of “watchful waiting.” This is a method by which the doctor regularly checks the patient’s high PSA over a period of months or even years. Throughout this time some doctors advise that the patient try non cancer related treatments, such as, for infection, based on the possibility that should the PSA is elevatedhigh for a reason rather than prostate cancer such treatments may get the PSA back to normal levels.
What can go wrong with this approach? The physician might too much time go by prior to recommending a biopsy. The more time that passes while the PSA goes up the likelihood grows that the rising levels are due to prostate cancer, as does the likelihood that the cancer has progress outside of the capsule leading to a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer.
Should a physician, by suggesting that the individual delay instead of immediately undergoing diagnostic testing, causes a situation where the cancer spreads and achieves metastasis, a cancer lawyer can assist you decide if you be able to successfully pursue medical malpractice case against that physician.
The preceeding is only basic information that is commonly available and is intended for elementary educational uses only. It does not constitute medical advice. Confer with with a physician if you have any health related problems and prior to accepting any medical advice. In addition, the above is also not legal advice. Contact an attorney regarding any possible legal concerns.
This entry was posted on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 4:51 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.