Physician – Recommend Watchful Waiting And Risk A Medical Malpractice Case
Posted by: admin in UncategorizedThe PSA is a blood test used by physicians to screen male patients who have no symptoms for prostate cancer. An abnormally high or quickly rising PSA suggests that the male patient might have prostate cancer. These types of findings thus normally trigger the need for additional testing, such as a biopsy, to discover whether the man in fact has cancer. There are, however, two principal difficulties with a biopsy. First a biopsy samples just a part of the prostate. Therefore the a biopsy might yield a false negative and not catch the cancer. Second, biopsies have risks, such as the possibility of infection and the risk of substantial bleeding.
As a result of of these two facts certain physicians to advise that male patients with a high PSA pursue a program of “watchful waiting.” This is a method where the physician periodically checks the individual’s elevated PSA for months or even years. In this time some doctors recommend that the individual try non cancer related therapies, for example, for infection, based on the possibility that if the PSA is elevatedhigh due to something other than prostate cancer such treatments may return the PSA back to normal levels.
The problem is that the doctor could too much time go by prior to advising that the patient undergo a biopsy. The more time that passes while the PSA increases the likelihood increases that the rising levels result from prostate cancer, as does the likelihood that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate resulting in a finding of metastatic prostate cancer. Should a physician, by advocating that the man wait instead of promptly undergoing diagnostic testing, results in a scenario where the cancer progresses and reaches metastasis, a cancer lawyer can help you decide whether you might have a medical negligence claim against that physician.
The above is basically basic information that is readily obtainable and is intended for elementary educational purposes only. The above does not constitute medical advice. Confer with with a physician if you have any health related issues and prior to taking any medical advice. In addition, the above is also not legal advice. Consult with a lawyer with regards to any possible legal issues.
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