Trachea Cancer Misdiagnosis - Medical Negligence
Cancer of the trachea (windpipe) is very rare and because of unfamiliarly by doctors is quite likely to go undiagnosed which may amount to medical negligence. Tracheal cancer exists in two forms known as squamous cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma. The cause is unknown but smoking is believed to be a risk factor. The most common symptoms are dry cough, breathlessness, hoarse voice, difficulty in swallowing, fevers, chills, coughing up blood, wheezing and chest infections that wont clear. These symptoms are common to a number of other less serious illnesses including asthma and bronchitis and misdiagnosis of cancer of the trachea is not uncommon.
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Diagnosis
Diagnosis of cancer of the trachea is by the use of blood tests, X-rays, CT (computerised tomography) scan, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, bronchoscopy and rigid bronchoscopy. Because cancer of the trachea is rare there is a specific description of grade 1 (low), grade 2 (moderate) or grade 3 (high) for the following categories :-
- T represents size and spread to surrounding tissues
- N describes spread to the lymph nodes
- M describes spread to other parts of the body