Misdiagnosis of Breast Cancer Attorneys in Pittsburgh

Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the cells of the breast. There are several different types of breast cancer in women. The most common type of breast cancer in women is ductal cancer. Ductal cancer, also called ductal carcinoma, refers to the development of cancer cells within the milk ducts of the breast. Some breast cancers, however, start in the lobules of the breast, and that type of breast cancer is called lobular cancer.

Detection of Breast Cancer — Mammogram

Breast cancer is usually discovered through a mammogram. Often, cancer is diagnosed by the presence on a mammogram of very small specks of calcium known as micro calcifications. Any suspicious finding on mammogram should be biopsied to determine whether cancer is present.

Detection of Breast Cancer — Biopsy

There are several different types of biopsy of the breast. The most common type of biopsy is the needle aspiration biopsy or fine needle aspiration. With fine needle aspiration, a hollow needle is inserted into the suspicious area of the breast, and cells are removed for microscopic examination. To make sure the needle is placed in the correct area of the breast, your doctor may use CT scan or ultrasound imaging while performing the biopsy. The suspicious cells are examined by a pathologist, a doctor who specializes in the microscopic examination of cells removed from the body.

How Breast Cancer is Misdiagnosed or Undiagnosed

Unfortunately, mammograms are often misread and breast cancer is missed. Also, sometimes a biopsy of tissue from the breast is misinterpreted as being non-cancerous when, in fact, it is cancer. Finally, the treatment ordered by your doctor for your breast cancer may be incorrect or not in compliance with current medical standards. In these cases, your doctor or hospital may have engaged in medical malpractice or negligence.

Contact Our Western Pennsylvania Lawyers

If you suspect that your breast cancer was misdiagnosed or treated improperly, please contact us. At Berger Lagnese & Paul, LLC, our lawyers have a long tradition of handling and winning breast cancer malpractice cases.