Ignored High PSA May Lead To Malpractice Lawsuit

A high or fast rising PSA could mean that a male patient has prostate cancer.  Doctors therefore usually advocate that a patient with a high or quickly rising PSA have a biopsy.  You will find, however, 2 principal issues with a biopsy.  First a biopsy checks merely a part of the prostate.  Therefore the a biopsy could yield a false negative and not catch the cancer.  Second, biopsies have risks, like the risk of infection and the threat of excessive bleeding. 

Because of these 2 facts certain doctors to adise that male patients with a high PSA pursue a program of “watchful waiting.”  This is an approach by which the doctor regularly checks the individual’s high PSA over a period of months or even years.  Throughout this time a number of physicians recommend that the patient try non cancer related treatments, for example, for infection, under the theory that if the PSA is elevatedhigh due to something besides prostate cancer such treatments may return the PSA back to normal levels. 

The problem is that the  physician could wait too long prior to suggesting a biopsy.  The more time that goes by while the PSA rises the probability grows that the rising levels result from prostate cancer, as does the chance that the cancer will spread beyond the capsule leading to a diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer.  

If a doctor, by advocating that the individual delay instead of immediately undergoing diagnostic testing, is responsible for a scenario in which the cancer spreads and gets to metastasis, a cancer lawyer can assist you decide if you may be able to successfully pursue medical negligence case against that doctor.

The preceeding is simply basic information that is easily obtainable and is intended for elementary educational uses only.  The above should not be taken as medical advice.  Seek advice from with a physician if you have any health related problems and before accepting any medical advice.  In addition, the above is also not legal advice.  Talk to an attorney about any potential legal issues.