Help for misdiagnosed cancer

**socaldude** · 10-14-2006, 03:04 AM

My mother had breast cancer for 4 years before passing away in January. after extensive chemo and radiation the doctor said everything looked good and the cancer was in remission based on her ct scans and pet scans. She was okay till new years day in which she became short of breath and couldnt breath. So was admitted to the emergency room. Her lungs had filled with fluid and collapsed. Once at the ER they redid her ct and pet scans only find that the cancer had gone haywire throughout her body. no more than 3 weeks later she passed away due to respiritory failure from the cancer spreading to her lungs. The doctor that treated her after having a collapsed lung said to seek legal counsel as this was a mistake on my moms doctor. My father is not a sue happy person and has never sued anyone. My dad is a deacon at our church and my mom was very involved in church/religion therefore my father is shying away from a malpractice lawsuit(if this is the case). However, if this is the case my dad wants to make sure this doctor does not practice medicine again or at the very least understands what happened. Based on this information is ther eanything that can be done? does it seem like we might have a case that will hold water? THanks.

**rmet4nzkx** · 10-14-2006, 06:07 AM

I'm sorry for your loss.
Breast cancer can spread very rapidly and an ER doctor may not be the best judge of her physician's fault in this matter although it would be wise to consult a med mal attorney who can review the case. There is a reason they put a 5 year limit of remissions/cure and often a patient doesn't make it to that 5 year mark and the end is rapid. Also cancer treatment in and of it's self is often, debilitating. It only takes one cell to spread cancer to another part of the body, sometimes breast cancer cells are found in other parts of the body and that is the first clue the patient has cancer. Consult an attorney, then your father can decide what he want's to do. If he chooses he can make complaints to the medical board if it seems like the standard of care was not met.

**socaldude** · 10-14-2006, 11:11 AM

Thanks rmet. I have been looking for a good med mal attorney. Any recommendations in the southern california area? Thanks for the reply. Didnt even know there was forums such as this one till last night! I guess there are actually useful sites on the web...who knew... lol.

**deadlock** · 10-14-2006, 11:19 AM

Quoting socaldude

My mother had breast cancer for 4 years before passing away in January. after extensive chemo and radiation the doctor said everything looked good and the cancer was in remission based on her ct scans and pet scans. She was okay till new years day in which she became short of breath and couldnt breath. So was admitted to the emergency room. Her lungs had filled with fluid and collapsed. Once at the ER they redid her ct and pet scans only find that the cancer had gone haywire throughout her body. no more than 3 weeks later she passed away due to respiritory failure from the cancer spreading to her lungs. The doctor that treated her after having a collapsed lung said to seek legal counsel as this was a mistake on my moms doctor. My father is not a sue happy person and has never sued anyone. My dad is a deacon at our church and my mom was very involved in church/religion therefore my father is shying away from a malpractice lawsuit(if this is the case). However, if this is the case my dad wants to make sure this doctor does not practice medicine again or at the very least understands what happened. Based on this information is ther eanything that can be done? does it seem like we might have a case that will hold water? THanks.

Your mother was under the care of an oncologist for breast cancer and was in remission for 4 years.
What was the length of time from the cts and pts that confirmed her remission and January?
When was her last appointment with the treating oncologist?
Breast was the primary site. She went out of remission and the cancer spread to her lungs, is that correct?

Determining negligence of the treating oncologist or other physicians will depend on your mother's follow-up medical care.

I am sure that trying to piece this together is very hard for your father and for you. I think when you get some answers to your questions about appropriate medical care you will be able to move forward in grieving. It is confusing and I hope you both have support.