Cancer Treatment Malpractice

Medication errors

Administering the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or administering medication via the wrong route (e.g. intravenous instead of oral).

Delayed treatment 

Delays in diagnosis or treatment initiation can reduce the chances of a successful outcome for cancer patients. Too often, a delay in treatment causes cancer survival rates to fall well below original estimates. 

Surgical errors 

Tumor removal, biopsy, and other operations are part of the treatment plan for many cancers. Wrong site surgery, poor surgical margins, damaging the surrounding tissues or organs, or forgetting surgical instruments inside patients are just some of the errors that can occur.  

Chemotherapy or radiation therapy errors

These can include: administering the wrong type or dosage of chemotherapy, delivering radiation to the wrong area, or failing to monitor and manage treatment side effects. Treatment errors are exceptionally dangerous for cancer patients as they can exacerbate the progression of the disease, compromise the effectiveness of therapy, and potentially lead to severe complications or even fatalities.

Communication errors

Ineffective communication or a lack of coordination among the treatment team can lead to errors in treatment planning or execution, delays in critical interventions, misunderstandings about patient preferences or their medical history, and an inadequate coordination of care. Such errors constitute malpractice and can cost someone their life.