When you’re told you have oesophageal cancer, you expect that the medical professionals treating you will provide the correct standard of care. Most patients do receive this, but what happens when a negligent misdiagnosis delays treatment or results in the wrong care? If you’ve suffered unnecessary harm because of substandard care, please continue reading, as you may have grounds to start the oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis claims process.

Key Takeaways

  • Oesophageal cancer is cancer that begins in the oesophagus or food pipe.
  • There are around 9,400 oesophageal cancer cases in the UK yearly.
  • The disease can make it difficult to swallow, leading to weight loss and potential malnutrition.
  • Negligent oesophageal cancer misdiagnoses can be caused by misinterpreted tests or biopsies being performed incorrectly.
  • You may be able to claim if substandard care caused the oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis and led to you experiencing avoidable harm.

Speak with an Accident Claims advisor today to find out whether you could start a claim for compensation. They will confirm this, free of charge, and may even connect you with one of our expert No Win No Fee solicitors. You can start your claim journey today by contacting us via the following options:

A graphic depicting a person's oesophagus, highlighted in red due to misdiagnosed cancer

Jump To A Section

  1. How Oesophageal Cancer Misdiagnosis Could Be Caused By Negligence
  2. What Other Conditions Might Oesophageal Cancer Be Confused With?
  3. What Are The Impacts Of Oesophageal Cancer?
  4. The Symptoms Of Oesophageal Cancer
  5. How Should Oesophageal Cancer Be Diagnosed?
  6. Oesophageal Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims With Accident Claims
  7. Learn More

How Oesophageal Cancer Misdiagnosis Could Be Caused By Negligence

Negligent treatment can give rise to oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis claims in a variety of ways. See below for examples of what is classed as clinical negligence when it comes to treating this condition:

  • A doctor mixes up your test results with those of another patient and gives you the all clear. However, your symptoms worsen over time, and you are admitted to a hospital. You find out that you do, in fact, have oesophageal cancer, and it has now spread to your lungs.
  • You are misdiagnosed with stage 3 oesophageal cancer and have surgery to remove part of your oesophagus. Subsequently, you learn that this was unnecessary, as your biopsy had been performed incorrectly and the cancer was actually stage 1.
  • A medical professional prescribes a targeted drug for oesophageal cancer, but they misread the instructions and administer a dosage that is too low for your condition. This prescription error allows your cancer to worsen and spread to other parts of the body.

You should contact a member of our expert advisory team for more examples of medical negligence. They also offer tailored advice, so you are welcome to discuss the specifics of your case with them.

What Other Conditions Might Oesophageal Cancer Be Confused With?

Oesophageal cancer can be misdiagnosed as many other conditions, such as:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux)
  • Oesophageal atresia
  • A benign tumour
  • Barrett’s oesophagus
  • Indigestion
  • Esophageal diverticulum
  • Achalasia

Speak with our advisors today to learn more about oesophageal conditions and how cancer can be misdiagnosed.

A digitised person holding their throat, with the area highlighted in red to show severe pain.

What Are The Impacts Of Oesophageal Cancer?

The main impacts of oesophageal cancer concern its detrimental effects on swallowing and weight loss. This disease can make it progressively harder to eat, potentially leading to malnutrition and affecting a person’s ability to work. Fatigue and tiredness are other common symptoms which may also adversely affect day-to-day life.

Oesophageal cancer may also cause various psychological conditions, such as depression or anxiety. This, in turn, may lead to social isolation and concerns about the future.

Both short-term and long-term impacts are considered under oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis claims. You can share how you’ve been affected by reaching out to one of our advisors for a confidential, no-obligation consultation free of charge.

The Symptoms Of Oesophageal Cancer

Oesophageal cancer can give rise to a variety of symptoms. These include:

  • Dysphagia (issues when swallowing)
  • Acid reflux or heartburn
  • Being or feeling sick
  • Indigestion, such as burping
  • Losing weight or loss of appetite
  • Pain in the middle of your chest or throat, particularly when swallowing
  • Lacking energy or feeling tired

If a medical professional caused you to suffer unnecessarily because of a negligent misdiagnosis that missed these common symptoms, you may have grounds to claim. Contact our advisors at your earliest convenience to see if you can start the oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis claims process.

How Should Oesophageal Cancer Be Diagnosed?

In order to diagnose oesophageal cancer, medical professionals should arrange appropriate tests for patients suspected of having the disease. The main test for oesophageal cancer is called a gastroscopy, which involves a long tube with a camera being put in the mouth and down the oesophagus.

Additionally, a biopsy may be performed to test cells for the presence of cancer. If the disease is confirmed, its extent can be determined through ultrasounds, CT or PET-CT scans, or a laparoscopy (to examine the inside of the stomach).

Contact an advisor today to discuss your own diagnosis experience.

Two solicitors go over the oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis claims process for a client.

Oesophageal Cancer Misdiagnosis Claims With Accident Claims

Our experienced solicitors handle all oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis claims on No Win No Fee terms. You may have heard this phrase before and wondered what exactly it means. Essentially, our solicitors operate under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), meaning they don’t charge any service fees for their work:

  • Before the beginning of the medical negligence claim
  • While the case is proceeding
  • If you do not receive oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis compensation

However, on the condition that you win, your solicitor will charge a small success fee. This is a percentage of your compensation, but you’ll keep the largest share, as a legally binding cap is in place.

Our solicitors work hard to ensure that eligible claimants have the support they need during their oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis claims. They offer incredible legal services, which include:

  • Assisting with the collection of evidence that will strengthen the case
  • Negotiating how much compensation should be owed for your pain, suffering and financial losses
  • Explaining any legal phrases or terms that you don’t understand
  • Handling correspondence with the defending party on your behalf

Contact Our No Win No Fee Solicitors

You can contact our friendly advisors at any time if you have further questions about oesophageal cancer misdiagnosis claims. They can also connect you with one of our No Win No Fee solicitors if you decide to start the road towards claiming compensation today. What do you have to lose by enquiring?

Learn More

Read our other medical negligence guides below:

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