Lung Cancer Malpractice

EARLY DETECTION CRUCIAL

Early detection plays a crucial role in increasing the rate of lung cancer survival. When people are diagnosed with early stage lung cancer, their chances of five year survival can be as high as 85%. But because symptoms may be vague or nonexistent in the early stages, many people with lung cancer aren't diagnosed until the disease is in late stage. Symptoms can include:

SYMPTOMS:

A recurring lung condition such as asthma, bronchitis or pneumonia that does not clear up with prescribed medication; back or shoulder pain;

Cough, Bloody sputum, Shortness of breath and orChest pain
Loss of appetite, Weight loss, Weakness, Fever
Swallowing difficulty, Hoarseness or changing voice
Nail abnormalities
Joint or Bone pain
Facial swelling, Facial paralysis, Eyelid drooping

STAGING: STAGES 1 THROUGH 4

Lung cancer is also broken down into four different stages. This staging system provides a good understanding of the prognosis of lung cancer.
Stage 1 Disease: Stage 1 disease is characterized by an absence of cancer spread to any lymph node whatsoever. Stage 1A disease implies a very small cancer without lymph node involvement. Stage 1B disease is a larger cancer without lymph node involvement.
Stage 2 Disease: Stage 2A and 2B disease fundamentally refers to the presence of cancer in the hilar lymph nodes, or N1 area, in addition to the primary site in the lung. The presence of a tumor involving the chest wall without hilar lymph node involvement (T3, N0) is also recognized as Stage 2B disease. These tumors can be safely removed and surgically cured by cutting around the malignant involvement in the chest wall, hence reverting the cancer back to a Stage 2B instead of Stage 3.
Stage 3 Disease: Stage 3 disease is broken down into two major categories: Stage 3A and Stage 3B disease. Stage 3A disease involves the mediastinal lymph glands on the same side as the cancer. This cancer may either be resectable initially or following preoperative treatment. In patients with Stage 3B disease, there is lymph node involvement on the other side of the chest, or in the supraclavicular area (N3). These patients should never be considered for surgical resection.
Stage 4 Disease: Stage 4 disease implies that the cancer has spread outside of the chest.

Lung Cancer News
Nov. 24, 2003
A New Lung cancer drug that works -- for some
"Now researchers are racing to unravel why Iressa -- the first significant new lung cancer drug in a generation -- appears to help only select patients. They are studying the DNA of patients for clues, hoping to develop a genetic screening test that would enable them to get the drug to the right people quickly. If they succeed, a small portion of lung cancer victims would get extra years of life. Given that 157,000 Americans die annually from the disease, the impact could be considerable...The effort is part of an emerging area of medicine seeking to genetically match patients to drugs."

Proper detection and diagnosis are critical for effective treatment and survival. If you or a loved one have been the victim of negligent or delayed lung cancer detection, please contact us for help.