Can I Claim Compensation For Thyroid Cancer Misdiagnosis?

Thyroid cancer misdiagnosis claims arise when negligent medical care delays your diagnosis or treatment. Medical professionals must meet minimum standards of care when treating you. The failure to recognise the signs of thyroid cancer, misinterpret test results or providing the wrong treatment could all cause you avoidable harm. If you or a loved one have been harmed by thyroid cancer misdiagnosis, you may be able to claim compensation.

Key Points

  • Rate of cancer incidence. In 2021, there were 2,528 thyroid cancer diagnoses registered for women and 1,056 diagnoses of thyroid cancer for men in England.
  • Women are at greater risk of thyroid cancer than men.
  • Thyroid cancer may be diagnosed using blood tests, an ultrasound scan, and a needle biopsy.
  • Cancer misdiagnosis could lead to your condition progressing and even becoming terminal.
  • You could make a medical negligence claim if your thyroid cancer was misdiagnosed.

Our solicitors can help with thyroid cancer misdiagnosis claims. Get in touch today to see how.

A doctor attends to a thyroid cancer patient in a blurry hospital bed.

 

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What Negligence Could Lead To Thyroid Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims?

Negligence such as diagnostic errors, the failure to order further tests or administrative errors could lead to thyroid cancer misdiagnosis claims. Oncologists and those working in cancer care must meet professional standards, such as guidelines and recommendations from The Association of Cancer Physicians. Failing to do so could result in negligent delays in diagnosing thyroid cancer, which, in turn, could allow it to progress. This may reduce treatment options, worsen patient outcomes and may even be fatal. In such cases, you may have grounds to claim compensation.

Negligence which could lead to thyroid cancer misdiagnosis claims could include,

  • A GP fails to order further tests for a patient presenting with persistent symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, swelling in the neck and hoarseness. This delay leads to the cancer worsening and the patient needing more aggressive treatment.
  • An administrative error occurs in a hospital. Ultrasound scan results are mixed up. A patient receives the wrong treatment, causing their cancer to progress.
  • A doctor misinterprets a patient’s test results, diagnosing the patient with a less severe condition. This leads to a later delayed diagnosis.

Whether you were impacted by GP misdiagnosis, hospital negligence or other errors, you may have grounds to claim compensation. Call our advisors to find out more.

Thyroid Cancer Signs And Symptoms

Thyroid cancer affects the thyroid gland located in the lower front of the neck. The thyroid makes and releases hormones which aid the heart, muscles and digestion. The main signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer include,

  • A growing, hard lump in the lower front of the throat which may be painful.
  • A cough.
  • Hoarseness, a sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Flushing in the face.
  • Diarrhoea or softer stool.
  • Loss of weight.

These symptoms may be wrongly diagnosed or attributed to another condition. If medical negligence occurred, please contact our team. If you aren’t sure if you have a valid medical negligence claim, an advisor can discuss what happened to you and tell you.

A patient with a sore throat sees a doctor.

Who Is At Higher Risk Of Developing Thyroid Cancer?

Women and those with certain medical conditions are at a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. According to the NHS, it is not always clear what causes this type of cancer. Those are a higher risk includes,

  • Women who have not gone through menopause.
  • A family history of thyroid cancer.
  • You have previously had breast cancer, oesophageal cancer, testicular cancer or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Those with conditions (such as Hashimoto’s disease, nodules, or a goitre) affecting the thyroid.
  • A history of exposure to radiation, such as through radiotherapy.

Thyroid cancers may also be linked to lifestyle factors. Please contact us to seek medical negligence compensation.

What Might Thyroid Cancer Be Misdiagnosed As?

Thyroid cancer may be misdiagnosed as one of the conditions discussed earlier. This may include benign conditions such as,

  • Throat nodules.
  • Thyroiditis.
  • A goiter.

It may also be misdiagnosed as an autoimmune condition, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or systemic illnesses including lyme disease. Symptoms such as weight loss or fatigue may also be misdiagnosed as viral infections, stress or menopause.

As there are a wide array of conditions it may be misdiagnosed as, it is crucial that medical professionals refer patients for further tests. Talk to our team about thyroid cancer misdiagnosis claims today.

A digital image shows a person holding their throat.

How Thyroid Cancer Is Diagnosed

Thyroid cancer may be diagnosed through physical examination and further tests. Diagnosis may involve,

  • A physical neck examination, checking for swelling or lumps.
  • Blood tests assessing thyroid function.
  • Ultrasound scans of the neck.
  • A needle biopsy to check for cancer.

Misinterpreting test results or the failure to carry out such tests could be grounds to make thyroid cancer misdiagnosis claims.

What Are The Possible Treatments For Thyroid Cancer?

Treatment for thyroid cancer depends on its type and size, as well as whether it is spread. Possible treatments for thyroid cancer include,

  • Surgery to partially or fully remove the thyroid.
  • Hormone therapy which may be used following surgery.
  • Radioactive iodine treatment to kill the cancer cells.
  • Targeted medication to prevent the cancer growing.

In addition, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may also be used. Advanced thyroid cancer may be harder to treat and it may not be curable. In terminal cases, a fatal medical negligence claim could be made.

No Win No Fee Thyroid Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims

Solicitors for thyroid cancer misdiagnosis claims may be funded through a No Win No Fee arrangement. Our solicitors are often able to help claimants using a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a type of No Win No Fee arrangement. If you instruct a No Win No Fee solicitor, you:

  • Won’t be expected to pay solicitor fees when they agree to support your case.
  • Also won’t have to pay solicitor’s fees while your claim is ongoing.
  • If it fails, you also won’t have to pay a fee for their work.

However, if your thyroid cancer misdiagnosis claim is a success, your No Win No Fee solicitor will take a percentage of your compensation as a success fee. The maximum percentage that can be taken is limited by the law.

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