UPSC...medical neglect

lmede64
lmede64 Member Posts: 32 Member
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
My sister had a hysterectomy and was diagnosed with stage IV B endometrial/UPSC cancer in the spring of 2011. For treatment purposes they used the same protocol as for ovarian cancer. The doctors involved were not very responsive (she's in Naples, FL, not some third world country) and she lacked confidence in them so she went to MD Anderson for a second opinion. Dr. Sud did prescribe a different chemo regime, and her local oncologist followed that. Aside from the usual chemo side effects, she did quite well. She's a trooper. Last summer her CA 125 levels spiked, and she went back for another round of chemo. A recent spike in the CA 125 levels caused her to have a CT scan (a PET scan was advised but Medicare wouldn't pay for it because it's a recurring cancer). The PA called her with the results and told her that the lesion on her lung had increased and it was most definitely metastasis. Meanwhile she went over all of her medical records and according to what she found the lesion on her lung had not increased. She called the oncologist's office and the PA told her that she was reading the radiology reports incorrectly and that the lesion had increased but maybe it wasn't metastasis and they could just "watch it". It's been over a month and she still hasn't been able to see the doctor. In the meanwhile she booked an appointment with MDA. Understandably she lacks confidence in her doctors.

In preparing for her MDA visit she did a more thorough job of organizing her medical records and found a report done on a CT scan in 2009. This was done because she was diagnosed at that time with colon cancer; it was a separate primary cancer. She was stunned to see a note by the doctor that there was "a suspicious mass on the cervix which measures 7.2 x 2.9 cm.  This finding is concerning for a primary cervical cancer.  The uterus is also enlarged and heterogeneous." There was never any mention of this to any of the specialists..no follow up despite her complaints of bloating (and she's petite). It was over a year later that she had the hysterectomy, UPSC diagnosis, etc. You always hear that the reason that these cancers are often not discovered until they're late stage because they're so hard to detect. Sometimes it's just because the people in charge don't care enough. Their neglect have put my sister in a precarious position. She's heartbroken. I'm livid.

Comments

  • Abbycat2
    Abbycat2 Member Posts: 644 Member
    #2
    Imede64

    OMG, you have every right to be! I am so sorry to hear this. I have wondered if I also received incompetent treatment when my gynecologist did a uterine biopsy two years prior to my UPSC metastatic diagnosis . I thought perhaps she was inept but I really didn 't know for sure. When I had a uterine biopsy before my hysterectomy, I could feel that the doctor got a good sample; when the gynecologist took a sample two years previously I don 't think she got a sample of my uterus at all as I barely felt anything. Just saying...

  • lmede64
    lmede64 Member Posts: 32 Member
    #3
    Abbycat2 said:

    Imede64

    OMG, you have every right to be! I am so sorry to hear this. I have wondered if I also received incompetent treatment when my gynecologist did a uterine biopsy two years prior to my UPSC metastatic diagnosis . I thought perhaps she was inept but I really didn 't know for sure. When I had a uterine biopsy before my hysterectomy, I could feel that the doctor got a good sample; when the gynecologist took a sample two years previously I don 't think she got a sample of my uterus at all as I barely felt anything. Just saying...

    Thanks for your

    Thanks for your understanding. It's beyond frustrating; it's hurtful. The what if's and should have/could have are meaningless at this point, but still you wonder. Their carelessness could cost my sister her life. Best to you, Linda

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