Misdiagnosis of testicular cancer and failure to diagnose a testicular tumour
Misdiagnosis of testicular cancer and failure to diagnose a testicular tumour
I am very happy and satisfied with the settlement you achieved for me and the service was excellent and thank you very much
Mrs E.Swaffield
Loughborough
The survival rate for testicular cancer is excellent and so the majority of men will to make a full recovery after being diagnosed and treated properly. However, in a few cases the disease can be misdiagnosed as a less serious condition, or treatment delayed, which can result in worse outcome than should have been the case
Finding out you have any form of cancer is a terrifying experience but for those that have been let down by the health professionals whom they expect to care for them it can be particularly hard.
Read moreYou should be able to rely on your doctor for advice and information during this difficult time. But if there has been a delay in diagnosis or poor treatment patients can feel vulnerable and confused. If you experienced misdiagnosis, delays in treatment or another form of medical negligence while you had testicular cancer you may be able to make a compensation claim. While we can’t erase what you have experienced, our investigation can answer questions you may have about the care you received if successful you can achieve compensation to help cover future medical costs, time off work, or other expenses.
Because of our years of experience and knowledge of the medical negligence process, Your Legal Friend can help. A missed testicular cancer diagnosis compensation claim doesn’t have to be stressful and when you work with us we’ll make the whole process as smooth as possible while offering support and guidance throughout.
Read lessOur medical negligence team has years of experience working on a wide variety of medical malpractice cases so we understand just how difficult a decision it can be to bring a medical negligence case.
That’s why we are committed to guiding you through every step of the process. We ensure that your claim is handled carefully and professionally by our specialist solicitors, while working alongside medical experts, to guarantee the best results for you.
Read moreOur medical negligence team is headed by Laura Morgan who has a wealth of experience in leading complicated, high-value medical negligence cases.
Laura is recognised within the legal profession as a leader in the field of medical negligence and serious injury compensation. Laura has acted in a wide range of cases over her 17 years of practice and has particular expertise in acting for children who have suffered brain injury due to mismanaged birth or surgical errors, and in managing claims that have resulted in the death of a loved one. Laura has achieved a number of large settlements including £5.4 million for a 7 year old and £4 million for an 11 year old child.
Laura’s expertise and dedication to her clients is recognised in the Chambers guide to the Legal Profession in which she was praised for the efficiency of her approach to case handling and described as “tenacious and detail-oriented”.
Laura has been a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel since 2005 and accredited as a Senior Litigator in the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) since 2006. Laura is also a member of the specialist lawyers panel for Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), the UK’s leading charity committed to patient safety and justice.
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It is possible to make a claim for the misdiagnosis of testicular cancer but you will need to prove that you were let down by the health care system and suffered, as a result, to be successful. Misdiagnosis can occur for many reasons, including:
Read moreCompensation for delayed testicular cancer diagnosis can vary and will be calculated for each individual. The amount that you receive reflects the extent of pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the negligence. It also takes into account financial losses both past and future. For this reason, it’s impossible to tell you how much you will receive without fully understanding your case, however, our experienced and knowledgeable specialist solicitors can explain what you are likely to recover.
If you would like to make a claim for compensation for delayed diagnosis you must start your case in Court within 3 years from the ‘date of knowledge’. This means you have 3 years from when you were first diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Read moreIf you’re unsure, reaching out and talking to one of our specialist medical negligence lawyers will help you to understand whether you have a claim and how to take the next step in the process. While you do have 3 years we recommend that where possible you start the process sooner rather than later. This not only means you will have access to the financial compensation sooner if successful but can give you the answers you may need to move forward. It’s often also easier to access paperwork to support your case and for you to recall details the closer the claim is made to the experience.
Read lessTesticular cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the testicles. It isn’t as common as other types of cancer in the UK and tends to affect men between the ages of 15 and 49.
Testicular cancer accounts for just 1% of all cancer in men in the UK and each year around 2,200 men are diagnosed with the disease. The cancer is unusual in that it usually affects men at a younger age than other cancers, where typically ageing increases the risk of the disease developing.
Read moreWhat causes testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is caused when cells in the testicles begin to act abnormally and uncontrollably multiply. These cells can then become cancerous. However, the exact causes of what leads to the abnormal cells are unclear. Despite this, research has linked some risk factors to an increased chance of the disease developing.
Causes of testicular cancer include:
There are other risk factors too, including injury to the testicles, being born with hypospadias, having HIV or AIDS, or having an inguinal hernia.
Read lessOften the only early symptom of testicular cancer that is picked up is a lump or swelling in one of the testicles. The lump or swelling can be the size of a pea but in some cases may be larger. While lumps are one of the signs of testicular cancer it often isn’t, in fact, less than 4% of scrotal lumps are cancerous. However, the NHS warns that they shouldn’t be ignored and advises men to make an appointment with their GP as soon as they notice signs and symptoms of testicular cancer. This is because treatment has a much higher chance of success if the cancer is diagnosed during an early stage.
Read moreOther, less common, testicular cancer signs include:
Diagnosing testicular cancer usually starts with an appointment with your GP after you have noticed a lump or other symptoms in your scrotum. Your doctor should look at your medical history, ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical examination to assess whether the lump or swelling is cancerous. If your GP believes the lump could be cancerous you should be referred for further testing within 2 weeks.
There are several options for testing in order to obtain a testicular cancer diagnosis, including:
Read moreOne test for testicular cancer is a scrotal ultrasound. The painless test is used to differentiate between lumps that are cancerous and those that are benign, with lumps that are solid, rather than filled with fluid, more likely to be cancerous.
There are certain hormones in the blood which may indicate whether or not testicular cancer is present. Having alpha feta protein (AFP) or human chorionic gonadotrophon (HCG) in the blood can indicate that further testing is needed, although not all of those suffering from testicular cancer will produce these ‘markers’.
Other types of cancer are often diagnosed with a biopsy, where some cells are removed and examined. However, this isn’t possible for testicular cancer as it may injure the testicle and cause cancer to spread. If a specialist is relatively certain of a diagnosis of testicular cancer they will recommend histology as a result. This is where the affected testicle is removed completely before being examined under a microscope, a process that is known as histology.
Read lessWhen diagnosed quickly, patients with testicular cancer have a good chance of beating their disease. However, testicular cancer misdiagnosis can occur and mean that vital treatment is delayed. Misdiagnosed testicular cancer can have a significant impact on the success of treatment, especially if it results in the cancer spreading to other areas of the body.
There are many other conditions that testicular cancer can be misdiagnosed as, including:
Read moreHydrocele is a harmless condition where fluid collects in the scrotum. Doctors should ensure that lumps in testicles are referred for further testing to rule out cancer but if this isn’t done it can lead to testicular cancer being dismissed as hydrocele.
A cyst is a sac filled fluid and when it occurs in the scrotum it can appear as a lump similar to the symptoms of testicular cancer. However, a doctor should still order further tests to rule out the lump being cancerous and an ultrasound should highlight whether the lump is a fluid filled cyst or a solid cancerous lump.
Epididyitis is when the tube at the back of the testicle becomes inflamed. It can become swollen, similar to testicular cancer, but it can also be painful. The condition is often the result of an infection and antibiotics may be used to treat it. If testicular cancer has wrongly been diagnosed as epididymitis, the mistake should become apparent when the course of medication doesn’t work.
Read lessMost commonly chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are used for testicular cancer treatment. After receiving a diagnosis you’ll receive a treatment plan depending on the type of cancer you have and the stage of the cancer. Treatment for testicular cancer is generally successful in the majority of cases but the earlier it is diagnosed the more likely it is to cure the disease
Read moreIn all cases of testicular cancer, the first treatment option is to remove the affected testicle in an operation called an orchidectomy. This is because only removing the tumour can lead to cancer spreading and the surgery shouldn’t affect the ability to father children. In some cases, surgery may be the only step needed in treating testicular cancer but in others, it will be done in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
One of the testicular cancer treatment options is chemotherapy, it’s often used after surgery to cut the risk of cancer returning by killing any cancerous cells that remain.
Like chemotherapy, radiotherapy is often used alongside surgery to reduce the risk of cancer affecting the remaining testicle.
Read lessTesticular cancer types are split into two categories – seminoma and non-seminoma – depending on the type of cell cancer started in. Both of these cancers develop from germ cells in the testicles and require very similar treatment so often the exact type of cancer isn’t as important as it is with other forms of cancer. Around 45% of cases are pure seminomas but it is possible to have mixed tumours, where both seminoma and non-seminoma cells are present.
Read moreThere are also rare testicular cancer types but only a few men are diagnosed with these cancers in the UK every year. This includes cancer that affects the lymphatic system and mesothelioma, which is more common in the chest or abdomen but may occasionally start in the testicle.
Read lessAs with most types of cancer, the testicular cancer survival rate is improving as more research is conducted and more men are diagnosed at an early stage thanks to awareness campaigns.
Read moreTesticular cancer statistics show that 99% of men diagnosed with testicular cancer will survive their diagnosis by a year or more, while 98% survive their disease for more than a decade. Testicular cancer advancements mean that almost all men that are diagnosed today will live for years after their diagnosis, a significant improvement when compared to the 70s, when just 69% lived for 10 years or more after diagnosis.
While the survival rate of testicular cancer is generally good there are some factors that play a role. Younger men are more likely to survive testicular cancer for more than five years, with the figure gradually decreasing with age. Those that are not diagnosed to the final stage are also at greater risk, however, the 5-year survival rate is still good at 81%, but it’s worth noting that the majority of patients at diagnosed at stage 1.
Read lessIt is possible to make a claim for the misdiagnosis of testicular cancer but you will need to prove that you were let down by the health care system and suffered, as a result, to be successful. Misdiagnosis can occur for many reasons, including:
Read moreCompensation for delayed testicular cancer diagnosis can vary and will be calculated for each individual. The amount that you receive reflects the extent of pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the negligence. It also takes into account financial losses both past and future. For this reason, it’s impossible to tell you how much you will receive without fully understanding your case, however, our experienced and knowledgeable specialist solicitors can explain what you are likely to recover.
If you would like to make a claim for compensation for delayed diagnosis you must start your case in Court within 3 years from the ‘date of knowledge’. This means you have 3 years from when you were first diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Read moreIf you’re unsure, reaching out and talking to one of our specialist medical negligence lawyers will help you to understand whether you have a claim and how to take the next step in the process. While you do have 3 years we recommend that where possible you start the process sooner rather than later. This not only means you will have access to the financial compensation sooner if successful but can give you the answers you may need to move forward. It’s often also easier to access paperwork to support your case and for you to recall details the closer the claim is made to the experience.
Read lessTesticular cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the testicles. It isn’t as common as other types of cancer in the UK and tends to affect men between the ages of 15 and 49.
Testicular cancer accounts for just 1% of all cancer in men in the UK and each year around 2,200 men are diagnosed with the disease. The cancer is unusual in that it usually affects men at a younger age than other cancers, where typically ageing increases the risk of the disease developing.
Read moreWhat causes testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer is caused when cells in the testicles begin to act abnormally and uncontrollably multiply. These cells can then become cancerous. However, the exact causes of what leads to the abnormal cells are unclear. Despite this, research has linked some risk factors to an increased chance of the disease developing.
Causes of testicular cancer include:
There are other risk factors too, including injury to the testicles, being born with hypospadias, having HIV or AIDS, or having an inguinal hernia.
Read lessOften the only early symptom of testicular cancer that is picked up is a lump or swelling in one of the testicles. The lump or swelling can be the size of a pea but in some cases may be larger. While lumps are one of the signs of testicular cancer it often isn’t, in fact, less than 4% of scrotal lumps are cancerous. However, the NHS warns that they shouldn’t be ignored and advises men to make an appointment with their GP as soon as they notice signs and symptoms of testicular cancer. This is because treatment has a much higher chance of success if the cancer is diagnosed during an early stage.
Read moreOther, less common, testicular cancer signs include:
Diagnosing testicular cancer usually starts with an appointment with your GP after you have noticed a lump or other symptoms in your scrotum. Your doctor should look at your medical history, ask about your symptoms and conduct a physical examination to assess whether the lump or swelling is cancerous. If your GP believes the lump could be cancerous you should be referred for further testing within 2 weeks.
There are several options for testing in order to obtain a testicular cancer diagnosis, including:
Read moreOne test for testicular cancer is a scrotal ultrasound. The painless test is used to differentiate between lumps that are cancerous and those that are benign, with lumps that are solid, rather than filled with fluid, more likely to be cancerous.
There are certain hormones in the blood which may indicate whether or not testicular cancer is present. Having alpha feta protein (AFP) or human chorionic gonadotrophon (HCG) in the blood can indicate that further testing is needed, although not all of those suffering from testicular cancer will produce these ‘markers’.
Other types of cancer are often diagnosed with a biopsy, where some cells are removed and examined. However, this isn’t possible for testicular cancer as it may injure the testicle and cause cancer to spread. If a specialist is relatively certain of a diagnosis of testicular cancer they will recommend histology as a result. This is where the affected testicle is removed completely before being examined under a microscope, a process that is known as histology.
Read lessWhen diagnosed quickly, patients with testicular cancer have a good chance of beating their disease. However, testicular cancer misdiagnosis can occur and mean that vital treatment is delayed. Misdiagnosed testicular cancer can have a significant impact on the success of treatment, especially if it results in the cancer spreading to other areas of the body.
There are many other conditions that testicular cancer can be misdiagnosed as, including:
Read moreHydrocele is a harmless condition where fluid collects in the scrotum. Doctors should ensure that lumps in testicles are referred for further testing to rule out cancer but if this isn’t done it can lead to testicular cancer being dismissed as hydrocele.
A cyst is a sac filled fluid and when it occurs in the scrotum it can appear as a lump similar to the symptoms of testicular cancer. However, a doctor should still order further tests to rule out the lump being cancerous and an ultrasound should highlight whether the lump is a fluid filled cyst or a solid cancerous lump.
Epididyitis is when the tube at the back of the testicle becomes inflamed. It can become swollen, similar to testicular cancer, but it can also be painful. The condition is often the result of an infection and antibiotics may be used to treat it. If testicular cancer has wrongly been diagnosed as epididymitis, the mistake should become apparent when the course of medication doesn’t work.
Read lessMost commonly chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are used for testicular cancer treatment. After receiving a diagnosis you’ll receive a treatment plan depending on the type of cancer you have and the stage of the cancer. Treatment for testicular cancer is generally successful in the majority of cases but the earlier it is diagnosed the more likely it is to cure the disease
Read moreIn all cases of testicular cancer, the first treatment option is to remove the affected testicle in an operation called an orchidectomy. This is because only removing the tumour can lead to cancer spreading and the surgery shouldn’t affect the ability to father children. In some cases, surgery may be the only step needed in treating testicular cancer but in others, it will be done in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
One of the testicular cancer treatment options is chemotherapy, it’s often used after surgery to cut the risk of cancer returning by killing any cancerous cells that remain.
Like chemotherapy, radiotherapy is often used alongside surgery to reduce the risk of cancer affecting the remaining testicle.
Read lessTesticular cancer types are split into two categories – seminoma and non-seminoma – depending on the type of cell cancer started in. Both of these cancers develop from germ cells in the testicles and require very similar treatment so often the exact type of cancer isn’t as important as it is with other forms of cancer. Around 45% of cases are pure seminomas but it is possible to have mixed tumours, where both seminoma and non-seminoma cells are present.
Read moreThere are also rare testicular cancer types but only a few men are diagnosed with these cancers in the UK every year. This includes cancer that affects the lymphatic system and mesothelioma, which is more common in the chest or abdomen but may occasionally start in the testicle.
Read lessAs with most types of cancer, the testicular cancer survival rate is improving as more research is conducted and more men are diagnosed at an early stage thanks to awareness campaigns.
Read moreTesticular cancer statistics show that 99% of men diagnosed with testicular cancer will survive their diagnosis by a year or more, while 98% survive their disease for more than a decade. Testicular cancer advancements mean that almost all men that are diagnosed today will live for years after their diagnosis, a significant improvement when compared to the 70s, when just 69% lived for 10 years or more after diagnosis.
While the survival rate of testicular cancer is generally good there are some factors that play a role. Younger men are more likely to survive testicular cancer for more than five years, with the figure gradually decreasing with age. Those that are not diagnosed to the final stage are also at greater risk, however, the 5-year survival rate is still good at 81%, but it’s worth noting that the majority of patients at diagnosed at stage 1.
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