Prostate Cancer Lawsuit Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Prostate cancer is perhaps the “classic” case of delayed diagnosis in that it represents a disease that is highly treatable in its early stages but extremely dangerous (often fatal) in its advanced stages. As such, medical negligence in the form of a delayed diagnosis can be the difference between life and death. If you suffered from a delayed diagnosis, a skilled delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA can help.

Pittsburgh personal injury attorney Jason Matzus has more than 20 years of experience litigating delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and other medical malpractice claims in Pennsylvania. If you have been injured due to the delayed diagnosis of your prostate cancer, you may be entitled to recover compensation from the negligent healthcare professionals who were responsible. Call Matzus Law, LLC to speak with a misdiagnosed prostate cancer lawsuit attorney in Pittsburgh, PA today.

To get answers to Frequently Asked Questions about medical malpractice claims for delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer in PA, see the Matzus Law, LLC delayed diagnosis FAQ page.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that affects the tissues of the prostate — a small gland that produces semen and that is located just below the bladder. Prostate cancer is very common among men — it is, in fact, the most common cancer affecting American men — with some reports estimating that nearly 11.6% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point over the course of their lives.

Generally speaking, prostate cancer is not aggressive and is relatively asymptomatic in its early stages. Despite this, the statistical prevalence of prostate cancer has led to regular medical checkups designed to screen and test for it. With proper diagnostic care, most men can catch prostate cancer before it advances to a later and more aggressive stage.

As prostate cancer develops, certain symptoms begin to show. These symptoms include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Frequent, possibly irregular urination
• Difficulty urinating
• Painful urination
• Blood in urine and/or semen
• Lower body pain (i.e., lower back, pelvis, thighs)
• Swelling
• Weight loss
• Appetite loss
• Fatigue and nausea

As with most cancers, when the tumors spread and new tissues are affected, there may be a broad spectrum of symptoms.

Prostate Cancer Diagnostics and Negligence

The five-year survival rate for prostate cancer that is diagnosed in Stage I is nearly 100%, demonstrating the importance of early diagnosis. Unfortunately, the five-year survival rate is much lower once the prostate cancer has spread to other tissues and organ systems in the body.

Healthcare professionals must conduct regular and adequate diagnostic checkups to ensure that prostate cancer is caught early, when it is most treatable. There are a number of diagnostic tests that can be used to detect prostate cancer, such as a rectal exam, blood samples, and biopsies. However, rectal exams and blood sample tests alone are not enough to reliably detect prostate cancer — a biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

A delayed diagnosis may be due to the negligence of a healthcare professional in:

• Failing to conduct a diagnostic test when appropriate
• Misinterpreting the results of a diagnostic test
• Relying on the results of a diagnostic test without conducting a biopsy
• Disregarding patient symptoms
• And more

Prostate cancer, like other cancers, starts with the development of abnormal cells. These cells are often mutated normal cells with DNA that cause them to grow and divide more rapidly than they should. This uncontrolled division, called mitosis, ultimately forms a tumor that begins in the prostate and spreads to other organs. Older men, especially those 65 and older, are at risk for prostate cancer. As with many other cancers, a family history increases the risk, as well. If the women in a man’s family have a history of breast cancer or carry the genes for breast cancer, that man is more likely to develop prostate cancer. Finally, obesity can increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer and make the disease more difficult to treat.

Consult with a Pittsburgh Delayed Diagnosis Lawyer About Your Medical Malpractice Claim

At Matzus Law, LLC, our attorneys work closely with licensed medical experts — both on staff and on a consulting basis — to help understand your prostate cancer and how the delayed diagnosis of a healthcare professional contributed to the development of the cancer. With a comprehensive medical understanding of your injuries, Pittsburgh, PA medical malpractice attorney Jason Matzus and the team here at Matzus law will be well-equipped to advocate effectively on your behalf.

If your prostate cancer has advanced to a later stage due to the negligence of a healthcare professional in misdiagnosing your cancer, or due to a healthcare professional failing to act such that you received a delayed diagnosis, then you may be entitled to compensation pursuant to a medical malpractice claim. Call or fill out our online contact form, to schedule a free consultation with an experienced delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delayed Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

What are common examples of negligence in cancer malpractice cases?