Misdiagnosis/Failure to Diagnose Ewing’s Sarcoma in Erie, PA
If you’ve lost a child as a result of failure to diagnose or a misdiagnosis of Ewing’s Sarcoma, you may need answers and you may be entitled to compensation. We’d like to help.
Ewing’s sarcoma is a childhood cancer that begins primarily in bone or soft tissue. It is responsible for approximately 2-3 percent of childhood tumors and occurs primarily between the ages of 10 and 20.
Ewing’s sarcoma can affect any bone but is most often identified in the thigh, shin, pelvis, or upper arm. Although Ewing’s sarcoma begins in a specific area, it can spread (or metastasize) to other areas of the body, including the lungs, kidneys, heart, bone marrow, and tissues.
As with any cancer, its prognosis differs from patient to patient and depends on many factors, including the tumor’s response to treatment, the child’s health and response to treatment, and the location of the tumor. But all experts agree that early diagnosis and treatment of Ewing’s sarcoma is important to its successful treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Ewing’s Sarcoma?
There are common symptoms of Ewing’s sarcoma, but each child may experience the disease differently. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Unexplained pain, swelling, and redness in a particular area
- Fatigue
- Weight loss or diminished appetite
- Fractures
- Numbness, tingling, incontinence, or paralysis
- Persistent fever
- Anemia
How Is Ewing’s Sarcoma Diagnosed?
Your physician should take a thorough history and perform an examination. If there are indicators of Ewing’s sarcoma, other diagnostic procedures include radiographic studies, such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans; tumor biopsy; and bone marrow studies.
How Is Ewing’s Sarcoma Treated?
Treatment depends on the location and stage of the tumor and other factors but may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, and rehabilitation. Surgical treatment sometimes requires amputation of the affected limb, but limb-saving surgery has become more the norm. Whether limb saving surgery is appropriate may turn on many factors, including the progression of the tumor at the time of diagnosis.
Free Consultation with Experienced Erie, PA Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you suspect that your child’s Ewing’s sarcoma diagnosis was missed or delayed by an inattentive physician, you will likely need help to get answers to your questions and you or your child may be entitled to compensation for the harm caused. The Erie pediatric cancer misdiagnosis lawyers at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. would like to help. Call toll free at 814-273-2010 or locally at 814-273-2010 for a free consultation with one of our experienced Erie medical malpractice lawyers.