Deciding to undertake a medical malpractice case can present a significant challenge for the attorney when it involves medicine that is somewhat obscure and guidelines for standards of care that are not well defined. One such area that is particularly challenging is failure to diagnose ovarian cancer. It is of critical importance that attorneys have an understanding of the complexities of the medical issues underlying the diagnosis of ovarian disease. Because of the difficult nature in understanding this medicine, the use of a legal nurse consultant can be invaluable in the screening and analysis process.
In reviewing the medical records of a gynecologist or other health care provider who has rendered care to a client ultimately diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a stepwise progression should be used in evaluating the medical management. It is important to approach the review of these potential cases with the understanding that the best prognosis for survival is associated with early stage disease, as the overall five-year survival rate in women with ovarian cancer is less than 45 percent. The five-year survival is about 90 percent for women with Stage I, and drops precipitously to less than 25 percent for those with distant disease at the time of diagnosis. In light of these statistics, it is clear timely diagnosis can make the difference between life and death.
