Early diagnosis crucial to gynecological cancer outcomes

Gynecological cancers underline the importance of early diagnosis for women in New York and across the United States. These types of cancers, which affect the female reproductive system, can have a severe and deadly impact on women's health. However, many are quite treatable if they are diagnosed and treated early in their development. Delayed diagnosis, on the other hand, can have severe consequences for a woman with gynecological cancer.

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common forms of gynecological cancer in the United States. It develops in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, and women who develop this cancer often have successful outcomes with full remission. Over 80 to 90 percent of women with endometrial cancer have positive outcomes because it is frequently detected early on. This form of cancer is usually treated with surgery, sometimes in combination with chemotherapy and radiation.

On the other hand, ovarian cancer is one of the most fatal gynecological cancers and most frequently diagnosed late in its development. When diagnosed early, 95 percent of ovarian cancers are treatable. However, failure to diagnose ovarian cancer can mean that the disease spreads and is almost impossible to fully eradicate. Over 70 percent of these types of cancers are diagnosed only when they are at an advanced stage.

For women with gynecological cancers, a doctor's failure to diagnose cancer early on can make the difference between life and death. A misdiagnosis of cancer, even when a physician had the information available to make the right diagnosis, might lead to a severely worsened medical condition. Patients who have experienced a failure to diagnose cancer or another serious illness and suffered as a result may be able to consult with a medical malpractice attorney about pursuing a claim for compensation for the damages done.