Key Takeaways:
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Uncommunicated Lab Results: Failing to notify a patient of a rising or abnormal PSA blood test score constitutes a severe breach of a primary care physician’s duty.
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Loss of Treatment Window: Delaying a cancer diagnosis by even a single year can allow a highly treatable malignancy to metastasize outside the original organ.
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Impact on Life Expectancy: When medical oversight permits terminal disease progression, negligent providers can be held legally accountable for the tragic outcome.
Case Study: Uncommunicated PSA Test Results and Delayed Diagnosis
In this case, our client underwent a prostate-specific antigen blood test (also known as a PSA Screen) on an annual basis with his primary care physician. Our client was not informed that his PSA test results had risen over a three-year period, and was identified as “abnormal” on a PSA test result. His physician never informed him of the abnormal test results, despite our client having two appointments with the doctor after the doctor having received the abnormal test result indicating our client had prostate cancer.
The doctor inexplicably failed to tell our client about the troubling test results, which deprived him of the opportunity to seek appropriate treatment.
Approximately one year after the abnormal PSA test result, our client’s cardiologist ordered blood work and a PSA test. At that time, our client’s PSA test result was significantly abnormal, and according to his oncologist, the cancer had spread outside the prostate. Our client is currently undergoing extensive cancer treatment and has a significantly reduced life expectancy.
Cases like this can be tragic. The Orlando medical malpractice attorneys at Warner & Warner in Casselberry, Florida, are committed to providing clients like this the absolute highest level of representation, so we can bring them the justice they deserve.
Our Orlando Legal Team Fights Medical Malpractice and Cancer Misdiagnosis
Failing to report abnormal screening results to a patient during consecutive follow-up appointments removes their autonomy and denies them life-saving intervention. When standard laboratory red flags are completely ignored by primary care providers, it crosses the line into actionable medical negligence.
If you or a loved one has suffered a shortened life expectancy or severe complications due to a failure to diagnose prostate cancer in Central Florida, you shouldn’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Contact the experienced trial attorneys at Warner & Warner today at 321-972-1889 or review our other successful medical malpractice case studies to schedule your free, confidential consultation.