Chicago Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer

If you or a family member has suffered due to a misdiagnosis of cervical cancer, you may have legal options. A Chicago cervical cancer misdiagnosis lawyer from Rosenfield Injury Lawyers can help you pursue monetary compensation.

A cervical cancer misdiagnosis can have devastating consequences, leading to delayed treatment, disease progression, and even wrongful death. When a doctor fails to recognize early symptoms or misinterprets pap smear results, patients lose valuable time for life-saving care. 

Stages of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is classified using the FIGO staging system, which helps determine its severity and treatment options.

• Stage I – Cancer is confined to the cervix and has not spread beyond the female reproductive system.
• Stage II – Cancer extends beyond the cervix into nearby tissues but has not reached the pelvic wall or lower vagina.
• Stage III – Cancer spreads to the pelvic wall, lower vagina, or causes kidney issues.
• Stage IV – The most advanced stage, where cancer spreads to distant organs like the bladder, rectum, lungs, or bones.

Types of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer develops in the female reproductive system and is categorized based on the type of cells affected. The two most common types are:

• Squamous cell carcinoma – This accounts for about 90% of all cervical cancer diagnoses. It originates in the thin, flat, squamous cells lining the cervix and is often linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
• Adenocarcinoma – Less common but still significant, this type develops in the glandular cells of the cervix, which produce mucus. It tends to be more aggressive and more challenging to detect with routine pap tests.

Other rare types include adenosquamous carcinoma and small-cell carcinoma. Regardless of type, early symptoms may be subtle, making timely diagnosis through pap smears and biopsies essential for effective treatment.

The Standard of Care for Cervical Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

Medical professionals are expected to follow established guidelines to detect symptoms and diagnose cervical cancer promptly. Standard screening practices include:

• Pap smears – Routine pap tests should be performed every three years for women aged 21-65 or more frequently for those at higher risk.
• HPV testing – Since human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer, doctors should recommend HPV tests, especially for women over 30.
• Follow-up on abnormal results – If the results indicate abnormalities, further testing such as colposcopy, biopsy, or HPV testing is required.
• Recognizing symptoms – Pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and pain during intercourse should never be ignored.

Common Ways Cervical Cancer is Misdiagnosed

A misdiagnosis can occur when healthcare providers fail to follow proper cervical cancer screening guidelines, misinterpret screening results, or overlook symptoms. These mistakes can lead to a delayed diagnosis, allowing the disease to progress to later stages. Understanding how misdiagnosis occurs can help patients recognize medical malpractice and take legal action.

Failure to Perform Regular Pap Smears/HPV Tests

Routine pap smears and HPV tests are essential for detecting abnormal cells before they develop into cancer. When an OBGYN fails to recommend these screenings, patients lose the opportunity for early detection. Women aged 21-65 should receive Pap tests at least every three years, with more frequent testing for those at higher risk. 

Misinterpretation of Pap Smear/HPV Test Results

Even when smear results and HPV tests are performed on schedule, errors in interpretation can lead to a cervical cancer misdiagnosis. A medical professional may misread abnormalities as benign or fail to recognize signs of early-stage disease. Diagnostic errors by lab technicians or pathologists can result in a false negative, meaning a patient is falsely reassured that no cervical cancer is present. 

Failure to Perform a Colposcopy or Biopsy When Indicated

If a pap smear or HPV test detects abnormal cells, further testing—such as a colposcopy or biopsy—is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of cervical cancer. When a physician fails to recommend these tests, patients may go months or even years before their cancer is identified. A colposcopy allows for a closer examination of the cervix, and a biopsy collects a tissue sample for analysis. 

Inadequate Biopsy Sample

A biopsy is one of the most effective ways to diagnose cervical cancer, but an inadequate tissue sample can lead to a misdiagnosis. If a doctor collects a sample that is too small, cancerous cells may not be present in the analyzed portion, leading to a false negative result. 

Delay in Referral to a Specialist (Gynecologic Oncologist)

When cervical cancer is suspected, a timely referral to a gynecologic oncologist is critical. These specialists have the expertise to confirm a cancer diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan. A doctor’s negligence in delaying a referral can allow the disease to spread, limiting treatment options and reducing survival rates. 

Misdiagnosis as Another Condition

Cervical cancer symptoms can mimic other gynecological issues, leading to a misdiagnosis. Doctors may mistakenly attribute pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or pain during intercourse to conditions such as ovarian cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, or infections.

Consequences of Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis

A misdiagnosis of cervical cancer can have devastating effects on a patient’s health and future. When a doctor fails to provide a timely diagnosis, the disease may progress unchecked, leading to more aggressive treatment, a higher risk of recurrence, and a decreased chance of survival. These medical errors also cause significant emotional and psychological distress for both cancer patients and their families.

Progression to a More Advanced Stage

When cervical cancer is detected early, it is highly treatable. However, a delayed diagnosis allows the disease to spread beyond the reproductive system, making treatment more complicated. Cancer may extend to nearby organs, lymph nodes, or distant areas like the lungs, significantly reducing survival rates. The longer abnormalities go untreated, the more difficult it becomes to manage the disease effectively, increasing the risk of premature death.

Reduced Treatment Options

Early-stage cervical cancer can often be treated with minimally invasive procedures such as laser therapy, cone biopsy, or hysterectomy. However, when a cancer misdiagnosis allows the disease to reach later stages, treatment options become more limited. Advanced cervical cancer may require chemotherapy, radiation, or more extensive surgeries that can impact fertility and overall health. Late-stage cancer patients often face harsher treatment with a lower chance of long-term success.

Increased Risk of Recurrence

A delayed diagnosis increases the likelihood that cervical cancer will return even after treatment. Early detection allows doctors to remove or destroy abnormalities before they spread. However, once the disease advances, there is a higher risk that some cancer cells will remain in the body, leading to recurrence. Patients who experience recurrence often require additional, more aggressive treatment, which may be less effective than earlier interventions.

Decreased Survival Rate

Survival rates for cervical cancer depend heavily on early detection. The five-year survival rate is over 90% when diagnosed in early stages. However, for advanced-stage cervical cancer, survival rates drop significantly. Cancer misdiagnoses that lead to delayed treatment allow the disease to spread, reducing the chances of remission. A failure to diagnose cervical cancer in time can mean the difference between successful treatment and premature death.

Emotional and Psychological Distress

A misdiagnosis affects more than just physical health—it causes severe emotional strain for patients and their families. Learning that a cancer diagnosis was missed or delayed can lead to feelings of fear, anger, and anxiety. Patients may struggle with depression, loss of trust in the healthcare system, and distress over limited treatment options. Families also suffer, dealing with uncertainty, financial strain, and the grief of knowing that an earlier diagnosis could have changed the outcome.

Legal Options for Victims of Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis in Chicago

Patients may be entitled to financial compensation if a doctor fails to diagnose the disease or delays necessary treatment. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit can help cover financial losses, hold negligent parties accountable, and promote better patient safety.

Establishing Medical Malpractice

To prove medical malpractice, a patient must show that a healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm. In cancer misdiagnosis cases, this can involve a failure to diagnose, misreading screening results, or neglecting to follow up on abnormalities. If another medical professional in a similar situation had made an accurate diagnosis sooner, the doctor may have been liable for medical negligence.

Investigating Your Case

A successful medical malpractice case requires a thorough investigation. A Chicago cancer misdiagnosis attorney will:

• Review medical records – Examine pap tests, biopsies, and test results to identify errors.
• Consult medical experts – Specialists, such as gynecologic oncologists, can determine whether a doctor’s failure led to harm.
• Gather evidence – Collect witness statements, hospital protocols, and additional records to establish negligence.

Seeking Compensation for Damages

Victims of cervical cancer misdiagnosis can seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses – Costs of additional treatment, surgeries, and therapies caused by the delayed diagnosis.
• Lost wages and future earnings – Compensation for time missed from work and reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering – Emotional distress, physical pain, and the toll of aggressive treatment.
• Wrongful death damages – If a family member has died due to a failure to diagnose, surviving loved ones may seek damages for funeral costs and loss of support.

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable

Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit helps victims recover damages and promotes patient safety. Holding negligent healthcare providers accountable encourages improved cancer diagnosis protocols, ensuring that other patients receive proper care. If you or a loved one suffered due to a cervical cancer misdiagnosis, an experienced attorney can help you pursue justice.

Why Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for Your Cervical Cancer Misdiagnosis Case?

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we understand the devastating impact a cervical cancer misdiagnosis can have on your health, future, and family. Our Chicago misdiagnosis attorneys have extensive experience handling medical malpractice cases, including those involving delayed diagnosis, misinterpreted screening results, and failure to diagnose cervical cancer in its early stages.

We work with top medical experts to investigate errors, gather medical records, and build strong cases for our clients. Our Chicago medical malpractice lawyers provide personalized support and ensure you understand your options every step of the way. We fight aggressively to secure monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Cancer Misdiagnosis Attorneys!

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a cervical cancer misdiagnosis, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The medical malpractice lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to help.

We offer a free consultation to review your case and discuss your legal options. We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call us at (888) 424–5757 or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.