It’s possible. Although your mother’s doctors may have treated her condition as best they could, there are a number of tests that could have diagnosed her in the early stages of the disease.
Here are a few things her doctors should have done to avoid a thyroid cancer misdiagnosis in Kentucky:
- Examine her medical history – Thyroid cancer is often genetic, so those whose extended family member have had thyroid complications should be identified for further testing.
- Identify risk factors – Patients should be checked at least every five years after age 35 for thyroid disorders, and even more often if they have a family history of rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.
- Perform a physical examination – As part of a yearly exam, a physician should palpate a patient’s throat in order to check for lumps on the thyroid gland and discuss early symptoms of thyroid problems.
- Refer for biopsy – If an abnormality is detected on the thyroid gland, a physician should perform or request a biopsy of the thyroid tumor. This is the most common method of identifying cancerous cells.
- Order imaging tests – If cancer is detected, imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasounds may be used to determine how far the cancer cells have spread.
While there is no way to prevent a thyroid disorder, effective treatment depends on a timely diagnosis. To find out if your loved one was the victim of a thyroid cancer misdiagnosis in Kentucky, contact Gray and White at 888-450-4456 to speak with an attorney, or get the facts on medical malpractice in our FREE guide, Critical Information to Know Before Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Kentucky.
Related Links:
- Undiagnosed Thyroid Disorder Contributes to Early Death for KY Women
- Thyroid Misdiagnosis at Norton Hospital Can Cause a Fatal Heart Attack