Medical professionals perform biopsies to diagnose conditions that require a deeper examination of tissue to confirm or rule out cancer and many other serious conditions and illnesses. When a doctor fails to perform a biopsy in a timely manner, a condition like cancer may progress, spread to other parts of the body, and worsen.

“Early detection of such conditions as cancer and hepatitis increases the patient’s chances of speedy recovery and survival, which is why performing a biopsy is such a vital medical procedure,” explains a Philadelphia failure to perform biopsy attorney at The Weitz Firm, LLC. A biopsy is performed by taking a sample of tissue cells from a patient’s body and analyzing it in a lab to determine the presence of cancer, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and other illness or disease.

By failing to perform a biopsy in a timely manner or by performing this procedure incorrectly, a healthcare provider becomes exposed to a medical malpractice lawsuit. A patient may not suspect that something is wrong with him or her if a biopsy is not ordered or performed correctly.

Types of biopsies

Contrary to the popular belief, biopsies are performed by medical professionals to detect not only cancer, but also a variety of other conditions, disorders, and diseases. A biopsy can be ordered to confirm a diagnosis, reveal more information about a condition to understand how to proceed with the treatment and determine how cancer or other disease progressed since the beginning of treatment.

There are different types of biopsies, and, unfortunately, a healthcare provider can make medical mistakes when performing any of them:

  • CT-guided biopsy, also known as computed tomography (CT) scan. During this type of biopsy, a very thin needle and a syringe are used to withdraw a tissue or fluid from a suspected tumor mass.
  • Ultrasound-guided biopsy, which is performed by using sound waves to determine the placement of a suspected tumor mass, lump or other abnormality and remove a tissue sample for deeper examination.
  • Bone biopsy, which involves the removal of bone samples by using a special needle or during surgery to confirm or rule out the presence of cancer or other abnormal cells.
  • Bone marrow biopsy, which is performed by inserting a long needle into the pelvis to retrieve bone marrow and confirm or rule out the presence of leukemia or lymphoma.
  • Liver biopsy, which involves the insertion of a needle into the liver through the abdomen to diagnose cancer of the liver, cirrhosis, and other disorders.
  • Kidney biopsy, which is performed by inserting a needle through the back to remove a sample of tissue from the kidney to confirm or rule out kidney-related disorders.
  • Skin biopsy, which involves the use of a circular blade to remove a sample of the skin and send it for further examination to diagnose cancer cells on skin or other skin-related disorders.

How failure to perform a biopsy is medical malpractice

If you have reason to believe that your doctor delayed ordering a biopsy or failed to perform a biopsy, which, as a result, aggravated your condition, you may want to speak to an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Philadelphia or elsewhere in Pennsylvania to discuss your legal options.

After all, a biopsy can be a critical procedure used to detect the presence of cancer or other disorders and prevent it from progressing and spreading. Failure to perform a biopsy can result in irreparable damage, which is why medical professionals should be held responsible for their failure to perform this procedure correctly and in a timely manner.

Contact The Weitz Firm, LLC, to schedule a free consultation about your biopsy-related medical malpractice case. Call our offices at 267-587-6240 for a free case evaluation.

Click To Call