Gall Bladder Cancer Misdiagnosis - Medical Negligence
Gall bladder cancer is a rare condition which usually affects only those aged over 70 years. The condition affects far more women than men partially because there are substantially more women over 70 years old than men. Gall bladder cancer misdiagnosis occurs due to the rarity of the condition and the fact that it is not often encountered by most members of the medical profession. There are a number of risk factors associated with gall bladder cancer including gall stones, inflammation, polyps, abnormal bile duct, porcelain gall bladder, smoking, obesity and family history.
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Diagnosis
There are usually no obvious symptoms in the early stages of gall bladder cancer however surgical removal of gall stones often identifies this condition to the surgeon when no other symptoms are present. Most gall bladder cancer is only diagnosed at a late stage with the appearance of symptoms including sickness, high temperatures and sudden pain (which may be intermittent) in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen. There are occasions when the cancer blocks the bile duct which leads from the gall bladder to the digestive system, causing bile to be absorbed into the body, resulting in distinctive symptoms including jaundice. Similar symptoms are also be caused by gallstones which may result in gall bladder cancer misdiagnosis which is medical negligence. Many elderly people are reluctant to treat gallstones preferring to put up with the discomfort whilst not knowing the real life threatening cause of their illness.