Bladder Cancer Misdiagnosis - Medical Negligence Solicitors
The most common symptom of bladder cancer is passing blood in the urine (haematuria) which may occur on a regular basis or be intermittent. Passing blood in the urine due to bladder cancer is painless and is usually not accompanied by any other symptoms in the early stages. If haematuria is associated with discomfort it is usually due to a bladder irritation caused by infection which may be treated with antibiotics. Blood in the urine may be extremely fine and impossible to see with the naked eye but may be identified with microscopic analysis. Failure by a GP to notice or act on these symptoms may result in misdiagnosis and would be considered to be medical negligence.
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Diagnosis
Diagnosis of bladder cancer follows microscopic analysis of a sample of urine for the presence of blood. It may then be necessary for a digital examination via the rectum or vagina to identify any structural changes. It may be necessary to arrange follow up tests or X-rays. Final diagnosis follows examination by a consultant urologist usually at a local hospital often involving visible examination of the interior of the bladder by cystoscopy using a local anaesthetic. Cystoscopy is carried out using is a thin flexible fibre optic tube with a light at the end. The cystoscope instrument is also capable of taking a small tissue sample for later laboratory analysis. Misdiagnosis of bladder cancer can occur at any stage particularly where human interpretation of test results is necessary.