Delayed Diagnosis of Liver Cancer: Understanding the Impact and Your Legal Options
What is Liver Cancer?
Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), originates in the cells of the liver. The liver, a vital organ located in the upper right portion of the abdomen, plays a crucial role in detoxifying chemicals, metabolizing drugs, and producing important proteins for blood clotting. Liver cancer primarily occurs in people with chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection, or long-term alcohol abuse.
There are different types of liver cancer, with hepatocellular carcinoma being the most common. Other forms include cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) and angiosarcoma (cancer of the blood vessels in the liver). HCC often starts as a single tumor that grows larger, but it can also develop as multiple small cancerous nodules throughout the liver, especially in patients with cirrhosis.
Prevalence of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is a global health concern and ranks as the sixth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In the United States, the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2024, about 42,000 new cases of liver cancer will be diagnosed, and approximately 30,000 people will die from the disease.
More than 800,000 people are diagnosed with this cancer each year throughout the world. Liver cancer is also a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, accounting for more than 700,000 deaths each year.
The incidence of liver cancer has been rising steadily over the past few decades, attributed in part to the increasing prevalence of chronic hepatitis infections and fatty liver disease.
Risk Factors for Liver Cancer
Risk factors for liver cancer include:
- Chronic Hepatitis B or C Infection: These viral infections are major causes of liver cancer, as they can lead to long-term inflammation and liver damage.
- Cirrhosis: This condition, which involves scarring of the liver tissue, is often a precursor to liver cancer. It can result from chronic alcohol use, hepatitis infections, or other liver diseases.
- Heavy Alcohol Use: Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to cirrhosis, significantly increasing the risk of developing liver cancer.
- Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): This condition, where fat builds up in the liver without alcohol consumption, can lead to inflammation, fibrosis, and eventually liver cancer.
- Aflatoxin Exposure: Aflatoxins are carcinogenic substances produced by certain molds that can contaminate food, particularly in regions with poor food storage practices. Long-term exposure is linked to a higher risk of liver cancer.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing liver cancer, often through the development of NAFLD or cirrhosis.
- Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes, especially when associated with obesity, can increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Genetic Disorders: Conditions like hemochromatosis (excessive iron buildup in the body) and Wilson’s disease (excessive copper buildup) can increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Long-term Anabolic Steroid Use: Prolonged use of anabolic steroids, often used by athletes for muscle building, can increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Tobacco Use: Smoking is a risk factor for many cancers, including liver cancer.
- Male Gender: Men are more likely than women to develop liver cancer, possibly due to higher rates of alcohol consumption and hepatitis B and C infections.
- Asian and African Descent: Liver cancer is more common in regions like Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, largely due to the higher prevalence of hepatitis B infections.
Understanding these risk factors is crucial for early detection and prevention strategies.
Symptoms of Liver Cancer
Liver cancer often presents with symptoms only in its later stages, which makes early detection challenging. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Upper abdominal pain or discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting
- General weakness and fatigue
- An enlarged liver or spleen, felt as a mass under the ribs
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- White, chalky stools
These symptoms are not unique to liver cancer and can be associated with other conditions, which is why proper diagnostic procedures are critical.
How is Liver Cancer Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of liver cancer typically involves a combination of imaging studies, blood tests, and sometimes biopsies.
- Imaging Studies: Ultrasound is often the first imaging test used to detect liver cancer. If an abnormality is found, further imaging such as a contrast-enhanced CT scan or MRI is performed to better characterize the lesion.
- Blood Tests: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is elevated in the blood of many patients with liver cancer. However, not all liver cancers produce AFP, so it is used in conjunction with imaging studies.
- Biopsy: In some cases, a biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a small tissue sample from the liver, which is then examined under a microscope to detect cancer cells.
Early diagnosis is crucial because liver cancer can be aggressive, and early-stage cancers are more likely to be treated successfully.
How is Liver Cancer Treated?
Treatment options for liver cancer depend on the stage of the disease, the overall health of the patient, and the function of the liver.
- Surgery: Surgical resection is the removal of the tumor and a portion of the surrounding healthy liver tissue. This option is typically pursued if the tumor is small and confined to one part of the liver.
- Liver Transplantation: For some patients, especially those with cirrhosis, a liver transplant may be the best option, as it not only removes the cancer but also treats the underlying liver disease.
- Ablation Therapies: These involve destroying cancer cells without removing the tumor. Techniques include radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation, and cryoablation.
- Embolization: This involves blocking the blood supply to the tumor to starve it of nutrients. Chemoembolization delivers chemotherapy directly to the liver tumor, while radioembolization delivers radiation.
- Targeted Therapy: Targeted drugs attack specific abnormalities in cancer cells. Sorafenib and lenvatinib are examples of targeted therapies used in liver cancer.
- Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy drugs help the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. These treatments are usually reserved for advanced liver cancer.
What Happens if Liver Cancer is Not Treated Early?
If liver cancer is not treated early, the disease can progress to an advanced stage, where it becomes much more difficult to manage and treat. The tumor may grow and invade nearby organs or spread (metastasize) to distant parts of the body, such as the lungs or bones. As the cancer progresses, patients may experience worsening symptoms, significant weight loss, severe pain, and liver failure. Unfortunately, advanced liver cancer has a poor prognosis, with limited treatment options that primarily focus on palliative care rather than curative intent.
When is a Delay in Diagnosis of Liver Cancer Due to Medical Negligence?
A delay in diagnosing liver cancer can be considered medical negligence if it can be shown that a healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care that other competent providers would have met under similar circumstances. Examples of medical negligence in delayed diagnosis include:
- Failing to order appropriate diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies or AFP blood tests, when a patient presents with symptoms or risk factors for liver cancer.
- Misinterpreting test results that clearly indicate the presence of liver cancer.
- Failing to refer a patient to a specialist for further evaluation when liver cancer is suspected.
In cases where a delay in diagnosis leads to a progression of the disease that could have been avoided with timely intervention, the healthcare provider may be held liable for the patient’s worsened condition.
What Are a Patient’s Options After a Delayed Diagnosis of Liver Cancer Due to Medical Negligence?
If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a delayed diagnosis of liver cancer, you may have legal options. The first step is to consult with a qualified medical malpractice attorney who can evaluate the specifics of your case. If medical negligence is established, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of additional treatments that may have been avoided with timely diagnosis.
- Pain and suffering, including the physical and emotional distress caused by the progression of the disease.
- Loss of income and earning capacity, if the delay in diagnosis impacts your ability to work.
- Loss of quality of life, if the delay in diagnosis results in permanent damage or disability.
Malpractice Settlements for Delayed Diagnosis of Liver Cancer from Across the Country
$2.5 million settlement.  The patient’s doctors failed to properly identify and treat liver abnormalities which eventually developed into cancer. The plaintiff went to the hospital with chest pain, and radiographic tests were performed to determine its source. However, the physician ordering the exams and the radiologist failed to properly communicate when abnormalities were seen in the patient’s liver. Because of this, the plaintiff was never informed of his condition and was not diagnosed with liver cancer until almost three years later.
$5 million jury verdict. Patient’s family claimed his transplant hepatologist failed to properly diagnose and treat his liver cancer which led to his death. The patient, diagnosed with Hepatitis C and cirrhosis, had a liver lesion monitored by MRI, which showed slight growth in 2011. Despite the radiologist’s recommendation for follow-up MRI, the surgeon ordered an ultrasound instead, which failed to detect the lesion. The cancer was eventually diagnosed in 2013 after it had spread to other areas, and the patient died in 2014.
$2.7 million verdict.  A woman underwent an abdominal and pelvic CT scan. The radiologist interpreted the results as displaying gallstone pancreatitis. Two years later, the woman underwent a biopsy. Its results revealed metastasized liver cancer. She died a month later. Her family alleged that the radiologist’s negligence caused her death. They claimed her failure to properly interpret her CT scan delayed her liver cancer diagnosis and treatments.
How Can the Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Lupetin & Unatin Help?
At Lupetin & Unatin, we understand the devastating impact a delayed diagnosis of liver cancer can have on patients and their families. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable and securing the compensation you deserve. We work with medical experts to thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence, and build a strong claim on your behalf.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered from a delayed diagnosis of liver cancer, contact Lupetin & Unatin today for a free consultation. We are here to provide the support and legal guidance you need during this challenging time.