Making a kidney cancer misdiagnosis claim

Each year, more than 13,000 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer. Developments in diagnosis and treatments mean that it can be treated successfully, yet it can be difficult to identify in its early stages.

Kidney cancer often doesn’t present any symptoms until it has progressed further, making it all the more important that opportunities to catch and treat the condition are not missed. Where medical mistakes occur and the necessary treatment is delayed as a result, the consequences can be dire.

Claiming compensation can’t change your diagnosis or undo the emotional trauma you and your loved ones have experienced, but it can provide support throughout your recovery. At Slater and Gordon, our medical negligence team are experts in handling kidney cancer misdiagnosis claims and are on hand to provide advice and guidance when you need it most.

What is kidney cancer?

Sometimes referred to as renal cancer, kidney cancer is the growth of abnormal cells within your kidneys. Anyone can be diagnosed with kidney cancer, though it is most commonly found in people over the age of 60.

Not all causes of kidney cancer are known, but there are a number of different factors that can mean you are more likely to get kidney cancer at some point. These include:

• Smoking and obesity
• Having high blood pressure
• Having a close relative who has had kidney cancer
• Have certain genetic conditions, such as tuberous sclerosis
• Are having long-term dialysis

What are the symptoms of kidney cancer?

Often, kidney cancer will not show any obvious symptoms, which can make it hard to identify and diagnose quickly. It is most commonly located while a patient is being tested for another condition, such as kidney infections.

When symptoms do occur, they are often very similar to those of an infection, and include:

• Blood in your urine
• A lump or swelling in your back, under your ribs, or in your neck
• Pain between your ribs and waist that doesn’t go away
• A loss of appetite
• An unexpected or unintended loss of weight
• A lack of energy or exhaustion
• A high temperature that does not improve
• Heavy sweating

Some symptoms require immediate medical attention; it might not necessarily be a sign of kidney cancer, but it may be a sign of a kidney infection, which can be very serious if not dealt with promptly. For more information, see the NHS website here.

What constitutes kidney cancer misdiagnosis?

As with most types of cancer, early diagnosis and quick treatment is key to a successful outcome. As kidney cancer can be difficult to spot in its early stages, it makes it all the more vital that chances to catch the condition are not missed when they do present.

When mistakes are made by medical professionals, they can cause delays in diagnosis and treatment that have serious consequences. Such mistakes include:

• Failing to properly investigate symptoms when you visit your GP
• Not carrying out the proper tests, or failing to refer you to a specialist if there is any concern after initial testing (such as blood tests)
• Incorrectly interpreting the results of a test, leading to missed opportunities to start treatment early
• Misdiagnosing kidney cancer as another condition, meaning you don’t receive the correct treatment

This list is not exhaustive. If a doctor or medical professional has acted negligently in any way, and that has subsequently caused you harm or your condition to deteriorate, you could be entitled to make a claim for kidney cancer compensation.

Can I make a claim for kidney cancer compensation?

We understand how difficult it can be to receive a cancer diagnosis, and no one should then have to deal with the consequences of negligent treatment and misdiagnosis. No amount of compensation can fix what has been done, but making a claim can help to support you and your family through your recovery and treatment.

To make a kidney cancer compensation claim, you need to be able to prove that there has been a breach in the duty of care owed to you by the medical professionals responsible for your care, and that this breach caused a negative impact on your treatment and prognosis.

If you think that a medical professional failed to fulfil their responsibilities, and their failure caused you unnecessary harm, contact us now and we'll be able to advise you on how we can gather evidence for your medical negligence claim.

Why should I choose Slater and Gordon?

Our misdiagnosed cancer team are one of the best in the country and are highly ranked in independent legal guides such as Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

The team are highly experienced in dealing with kidney cancer misdiagnosis claims can provide you with the best possible service, not only ensuring that you get the best outcome to your case, but that you get the treatment and additional support you need to assist with your recovery. We’re committed to providing the best support from day one, which is way we also offer home and hospital visits to allow us to provide immediate representation and rehabilitation support; allowing you to focus on recovery while we handle your claim.

Visit our medical negligence FAQs or our medical negligence claims guide for further information on how to make a claim.