Can You Sue for Cancer Caused by a Misdiagnosed Cyst or Polyp?

When a doctor describes a growth as “just a cyst” or a “harmless polyp,” you should be able to trust that the diagnosis is accurate. Unfortunately, sometimes these growths are far from harmless. In some cases, a cyst or polyp can actually be cancerous or can develop into cancer if left untreated. When a medical professional misdiagnoses or fails to properly treat a cyst or polyp, the delay can give cancer the time it needs to advance to a later stage, with potentially devastating consequences.

What Are Cysts and Polyps?

Cysts and polyps are both often described as “growths” or “lesions,” but they’re actually quite different. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can form in many parts of the body, including the ovaries, kidneys, breasts, and liver. While many cysts are benign, some can harbor cancer cells or be a sign of an underlying malignancy.

Polyps, on the other hand, are growths of tissue that develop from the lining of an organ and are often found in the colon, stomach, or uterus. Certain types of polyps, like some found in the colon, may be pre-cancerous, meaning they can transform into cancer over time if not removed.

In both cases, a correct and timely diagnosis is critical. Medical professionals have a duty to thoroughly investigate suspicious growths, often using imaging (ultrasound, CT, or MRI), biopsies, and laboratory tests. Failure to do so can give cancer time to spread to a less treatable stage.

How Are Ovarian Cysts Misdiagnosed?

Ovarian cysts are very common, especially during a woman’s childbearing years. Most ovarian cysts go away on their own, but not all are harmless. Some ovarian cysts are linked to ovarian cancer, one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers that affects women.

Ovarian cancer is often called a “silent killer” because its early symptoms (bloating, pelvic pain, changes in bowel habits) can mimic benign conditions. If a physician dismisses a patient’s complaints, fails to order imaging, fails to follow up on imaging, or assumes that it will resolve on its own simply because most cysts do, they may overlook early-stage ovarian cancer. By the time the cancer is correctly identified, it may have spread beyond the ovaries, drastically reducing survival rates.

How Are Colon Polyps Misdiagnosed?

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, largely because it often starts as a small polyp that can be easily removed during a routine colonoscopy. However, when a physician fails to recommend repeat screening colonoscopies to people at higher risk, performs the colonoscopy poorly and fails to detect polyps, or when removed polyps are not properly examined by a pathologist, the opportunity to prevent a polyp from becoming cancerous can be lost.

What Other Cysts And Polyps Can Be Misdiagnosed?

While ovarian and colon growths are two of the most common sources of misdiagnosis leading to a delayed cancer diagnosis, any growth that is not properly evaluated can pose serious risks if cancerous or pre-cancerous cells are allowed to go undetected. These errors are also common with:

• gallbladder polyps
• sinus or nasal polyps
• pancreatic cysts
• kidney cysts
• uterine or cervical polyps
• colon polyps

When Does Misdiagnosis Become Medical Malpractice?

Unfortunately, misdiagnoses and delayed diagnoses can occur even when doctors do everything correctly. To prove that medical malpractice happened, it must be shown that a healthcare provider was negligent in their actions. This means they failed to act as another reasonably competent provider would in similar circumstances and ignored accepted medical standards and procedures.

For example, if an ovarian cyst is detected but not monitored or biopsied despite suspicious characteristics, a healthcare provider might be guilty of malpractice if it later turns out to be advanced ovarian cancer.

Why Is a Delayed Cancer Diagnosis So Dangerous?

Cancer outcomes are heavily dependent on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Early-stage cancers that have not spread beyond the initial site of the cancer are often treatable with less invasive procedures and have much higher survival rates. A delay caused by misdiagnosis can mean:

• the need for more aggressive treatment
• a lower chance of survival
• increased physical and emotional suffering
• higher financial burdens from more complex care

When Should Legal Action Be Considered?

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally two years from the date you knew (or should have known) that an injury was caused by medical negligence. In the case of a cancer misdiagnosis, this is often when you first learn of the correct diagnosis.

If you believe that your cancer diagnosis was delayed due to a misdiagnosed cyst or polyp, it’s critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence, obtain medical records, and consult expert witnesses who can review your case.

Why Choose Ross Feller Casey?

A cyst or polyp misdiagnosis can mean the difference between life and death, but you don’t have to face the consequences of a doctor’s negligence alone. At Ross Feller Casey, we have extensive experience with cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death due to medical malpractice. If you or a loved one developed cancer because a doctor failed to diagnose a cyst or polyp properly, we can help you seek the justice you deserve. Consultations are free, and you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case.