Thyroid Misdiagnosis

[ScobyII]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NC

After an initial diagnosis of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland determined by fine needle biopsy, I was scheduled for a total thyroidectomy. After the removal of my left thyroid gland, the tumor was sent to a pathologist at the hospital where the frozen section was a diagnosis of adenoma was made. The operation then ended and my right thyroid gland was not removed. Is there any cause for action here? Forgot to mention, these were different pathology labs.

Thank you.

[Adalaide78]

Other than the possibility that you are now taking a medication that is a $4 generic at many pharmacies and may have missed some work for a surgery, have you actually been harmed in any way? I find it shocking that instead of rejoicing that you only lost one gland and are cancer free, you are trying to find out if you should be pointing fingers at someone? I can only imagine how happy my family would have been to be told by a doctor that he was wrong, the surgery was not needed and my grandmother would be fine.

[ScobyII]

Originally Posted by Adalaide78

Other than the possibility that you are now taking a medication that is a $4 generic at many pharmacies and may have missed some work for a surgery, have you actually been harmed in any way? I find it shocking that instead of rejoicing that you only lost one gland and are cancer free, you are trying to find out if you should be pointing fingers at someone? I can only imagine how happy my family would have been to be told by a doctor that he was wrong, the surgery was not needed and my grandmother would be fine.

You my friend Adalaide, are a joke!

[ecmst12]

In order to have a viable malpractice action, you first have to prove NEGLIGENCE. An incorrect diagnosis ALONE is not proof of negligence. Another pathologist would have to opine that the reading of the biopsy was below the standard of care.

Not only that, you would then have to prove significant permanent physical damage due SOLELY to the negligence and not due to the underlying medical condition. Would the treatment for adenoma have been different then what you received? Even if you would not have needed surgery, it's unlikely that any harm you have received is significant to justify a lawsuit. Malpractice suits cost 10s to 100s of thousands of dollars and 3-5 years to litigate - a law firm will not take on a case that it can't forsee a profit from. Your case (if negligence even occurred) would likely not even recover the cost of the expert witnesses.