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Anesthesia Errors: Injury
to teeth, trachea, vocal cords, or esophagus may
occur during intubation (insertion of an airway
tube into the trachea); failure to monitor patient's
vital signs and advise surgeon of abnormalities.
Back and Spine Surgery
Errors: Operating at the wrong vertebral level,
injury to spinal nerves, injury to the spinal
cord, damage to major blood vessels may cause
permanent paralysis or death.
Cancer: All physicians
have a duty to recommend tests or screening procedures
to patients who present significant symptoms of
cancer.
Breast Cancer: Breast
cancer can occur in women at any age, although
it is more common in women ages 25 and older.
However, women at age forty should have a screening
mammogram annually. Additionally, all women should
self-exam monthly and upon finding any lump or
abnormal nipple condition contact their physician
and ask to have a diagnostic mammogram, which
is more detailed than a simple screening mammogram.
If your physician has failed to recommend a mammogram,
he has failed in his duty to his patient. If cancer
of the breast has developed, the physician may
be liable and could be sued for medical malpractice.
Cervical Cancer: Cancer
of the cervix, which may spread to the uterus
or other female reproductive organs may be detected
by a test known as a PAP smear. Women should be
given a PAP test at an annual or bi-annual examination.
If a PAP smear reveals abnormal tissue, further
tissue studies should be done to identify the
abnormal findings and institute treatment to prevent
or treat the development of cancer.
Lung Cancer: Lung cancer
may or may not be caused by the use of tobacco
products since other carcinogens, such as asbestos
and other airborne pollutants can also cause or
contribute to lung cancer. Some lung cancers present
with symptoms such as chronic cough, bronchitis,
pharyngitis, but also, they may come about without
any pulmonary symptoms. Anytime a patient has
any symptom involving the lungs and breathing,
they should report this to their physician and
ask him to follow up with testing such as an x-ray
or other imaging studies.
Prostate Cancer:
Men can develop cancer of the prostate gland at
the fourth decade and thereafter. It is said that
if a man lives long enough, he will develop prostate
cancer. All men should have a screening test after
age 50 called PSA. This is a blood test that will
reveal whether or not there is a significant risk
of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of
the cancers that is usually curable if detected
early and treated. The failure of a physician
to suggest a PSA test on male patients over 50
can be below the standard of care and the basis
for a medical malpractice law suit.
Colon Cancer: Cancer of
the colon can occur in both females and males.
It is more common in persons who have chronic
bowel disorders and diseases. Colon cancers are
usually detected by a test called a colonoscopy
where a long flexible tube with a tiny camera
lens at the end is inserted into the rectum and
followed through the colon to the end at the cecum.
If any abnormality is detected, a small piece
of bowel lining is cut out and examined under
a microscope to see if it is pre-cancer or cancer.
Any time there are bowel abnormalities, such as
blood in the stool or rectal abscesses, your physician
should be notified. A physician should, at an
annual or bi-annual examination, perform a test
to detect microscopic blood in the stool. Colon
cancers may be curable if they are detected early.
Cancer, generally:
Cancer can attack any of the body's organ systems,
such as skin, liver, kidney, bones, blood, brain,
and may or may not be present with symptoms early
enough to be treated for a cure. It is important
to notify your physicians or abnormal conditions
so that they can be followed up and treated if
necessary. A physician may be liable if he fails
to follow upon a patient's complaints that suggest
the possibility of cancer.
Contact
a Medical Malpractice Ohio lawyer if you or a
loved one are the victims of medical malpractice
in the state of Ohio. CLICK HERE!!
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