Medical Negligence Information

In Washington & Oregon

Melanoma Cancer Information

Skin Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer. Melanoma is the most threatening form of skin cancer because melanoma can "metastasize" or spread elsewhere in the body. Melanoma accounts for approximately 80% of all skin cancer deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, over 55,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed and roughly 8000 deaths will occur this year.

WARNING SIGNS

Melanoma is very curable if identified in its very early stages. It almost always starts as a mole on the skin. A self-examination of your skin is important to detect new moles or other changes. If you notice an odd-looking mole or marking, contact your doctor as soon as possible. It is important to check your own skin about once a month. You should be familiar with the pattern of moles, freckles, and any other marks on your skin so you will be aware of any changes. The ABCD rule can help tell a normal mole from a melanoma:

A: Asymmetry - One half of the mole is different from the other half.

B: Border Irregularity - The edges around the mole are jagged or ill-defined.

C: Color - The color of the mole is not consistent over its area. It may be different shades of tan, brown, or black. Sometimes patches of red, blue, or white may even appear.

D: Diameter - The mole is wider than about 1/4 inch, although doctors are now finding more melanomas that are smaller.

Other critical indications of melanoma include changes in size, shape, or color of a mole. Some melanomas do not fit the descriptions above, and it may be hard to tell if the mole is abnormal, so you should show your doctor any mole about which you are unsure.

ROLE OF YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

In addition to your self-care, your doctor has an obligation to screen you for melanoma. The American Cancer Society recommends that anyone aged 20-40 have a skin check-up every 3 years and people age 40 and older have one every year. If an unusual change in your skin markings is identified, your doctor needs to review your complete medical history and give you a physical examination.

If your doctor thinks the mole or marking looks unusual, a biopsy will be performed. In this procedure, an anesthetic is applied to the mole and the entire mole, or a small sample it, will be removed and evaluated in a laboratory to determine if the mole is cancerous.

Any suspicious findings from the examination and biopsy procedures must be thoroughly investigated. Cancer must be definitely diagnosed or ruled out.

DELAYED DIAGNOSIS AND FAILURE TO TREAT MELANOMA

A failure to appropriately respond to the indications of melanoma continues to result in needless deaths each year in the United States. Reducing the likelihood of a fatality from melanoma relies on detecting and treating the cancer before it becomes life-threatening.

The following list consists of the more common forms of medical malpractice committed by doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma:

• Failing to detect an abnormal mole;
• Failing to perform a biopsy when an abnormal mole is found;
• Failing to have the biopsy sample examined by a laboratory;
• The lab misinterpreting the biopsy results;
• Failing to notify the patient of biopsy findings;
• Failing to recommend appropriate treatment options;
• Failing to follow-up with the patient;
• Failing to excise all cancerous tissue.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT THERE WAS MALPRACTICE IN DIAGNOSING OR TREATING MY MELANOMA?

If you have concerns or doubts about whether a doctor properly addressed your melanoma - or that of a loved one - you owe it to yourself and your family to find out for sure. Contact an attorney at Fuller & Fuller for a FREE consultation. Our firm has been associated with many cancer malpractice cases. Fuller & Fuller serves people whose claims arose in the states of Washington and Oregon.

To determine whether you have a strong claim, these are among the factors that are analyzed.

• Whether the malpractice took place within the time allowed to bring a claim, or whether it is barred by the statute of limitations;
• Whether the delay in diagnosis was longer than is reasonable by the standards of the medical community in which the doctor practices;
• Whether the doctor failed to perform appropriate testing to allow an informed diagnosis;
• Whether the doctor failed to administer the necessary medical or surgical procedures;
• How much money in damages would be appropriate to compensate the patient, or the patient's spouse or family members.

You have nothing to lose by consulting an attorney. It is always in your best interest to learn about your legal options and make sure that your legal rights are preserved. A medical malpractice case is also about righting a wrong, holding the medical community responsible, and raising the level of care so that the same thing does not happen to another patient.

RISK FACTORS

It is not yet known exactly what causes melanoma skin cancer, but we do know that certain risk factors are linked to the disease. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer.

The following factors may indicate that you could be at increased risk for melanoma. You should speak with your doctor about measures you should take for early detection and prevention if any of these factors apply to you.

• Northern European ancestry (White, Caucasian);
• A family history of melanoma;
• Noncancerous, but unusual-looking moles on your skin now or previously;
• Previous diagnosis of melanoma;
• Currently undergoing immunosuppressive therapy;
• Many (more than 50) ordinary moles;
• One or more severe, blistering sunburns as a child or teenager;
• Many freckles;
• Fair skin and light eyes;
• Living in the Southwestern United States;
• Frequently spend time in the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM without skin protection.

Remember, skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer, and melanoma is the most threatening form of skin cancer. You can take charge of your health by reducing your risk factors, knowing the indicators that may point to a problem, getting prompt and thorough testing, and making certain your doctor gives you appropriate treatment.

Early detection and treatment of melanoma is vital to reduce the likelihood of life-threatening complications. If you are concerned that your doctor did not detect or treat your cancer soon enough, please contact Fuller & Fuller, Attorneys, for a free evaluation of your claims. Fuller & Fuller is a family of medical malpractice lawyers serving residents of Washington and Oregon States.

MELANOMA RESOURCES

You may find some of the following links helpful. Fuller & Fuller does not endorse the information in the links.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network
http://www.nccn.org

National Cancer Institute
http://www.Cancernet.nci.nih.gov

NCI site
http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/melanoma

Melanoma Research Foundation
http://www.melanoma.org

Melanoma Patient Information Page
http://www.mpip.org

 

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Fuller & Fuller is a family of medical malpractice and serious injury lawyers serving residents of Washington and Oregon.