Leukaemia Negligence & Misdiagnosis Claims Solicitors

Leukaemia is a type of malignant and progressive blood cancer which mostly affects the white blood cells, bone marrow, and blood-forming organs. White blood cells are responsible for fighting off infections, but in leukaemia patients these cells don’t work in the normal way, and abnormal cells can develop, which can negatively impact the immune system and its ability to fight off infection.

There are two main types of leukaemia, including:

• Myeloid Leukaemia – Myeloid stem cells develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body, white blood cells fight infections, and platelets help the blood to clot. Acute myeloid leukaemia can occur in adults and children, and tends to develop rapidly. Chronic myeloid leukaemia mainly affects adults and develops gradually, often going undetected for several years.
• Lymphocytic Leukaemia – Lymphoid stem cells develop into B lymphocytes which create antibodies, T lymphocytes which assist the B lymphocytes, and natural killer cells which attack cancers and viruses that affect the blood stream. Acute lymphocytic leukaemia develops rapidly and occurs most often in children, and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia mostly affects adults.

There are around 8,000 cases of leukaemia diagnosed each year, with the majority of patients being men aged between 65 and 74. When leukaemia is detected early, the chances of making a full recovery are higher, so any delay in diagnosis can be detrimental. If your leukaemia was misdiagnosed and your condition has worsened as a result, you may be able to claim compensation, please get in touch with our specialist medical negligence solicitors today to find out more.

As with most types of cancer, it is not known exactly why some people develop leukaemia, but there are several risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing the condition, including:

• Age – Leukaemia typically affects older people, and young children, which is thought to be due to their weakened or underdeveloped immune systems.
• Gender – Leukaemia tends to affect more men than women, although it is not known exactly why this is.
• Genetics – If a close relative has suffered with leukaemia, then you are at an increased risk of developing the condition, which is thought to be due to your genetic composition as opposed to a hereditary condition.
• Chemicals – Exposure to certain hazardous chemicals and radioactive materials is thought to increase the likelihood of developing leukaemia.
• Health conditions – There are several health conditions which may lead to an increased risk of developing leukaemia, for example bone marrow disorders such as myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

If you fall into one of the above categories it does not necessarily mean that you will develop leukaemia – it simply means that your doctor should have a heightened awareness of any symptoms you present with and carry out checks for the presence of leukaemia.

The symptoms of leukaemia can sometimes be quite vague and will often vary depending on the type of leukaemia, as well as how far advanced the condition is. However, some of the common symptoms to look out for include:

• Tiredness/fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever and chills
• Night sweats
• Excessive sweating
• Bleeding gums
• Bruising easily
• Nosebleeds
• Painful joints and bones
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Enlarged liver and spleen
• Light-headedness/palpitations
• Frequent infections
• Tiny red spots on the skin

This list is not exhaustive, and if you notice anything unusual in your body it is always worth seeing your GP so that they can assess your symptoms and set you on the right path for an accurate diagnosis.

There are several tests that your doctor can perform or order if they suspect that your symptoms are indicative of leukaemia, including:

• Physical examination – The GP will check your skin, feel your lymph nodes for signs of enlargement, and feel your abdominal area for signs of liver and/or spleen enlargement.
• Blood test – As assessment of the blood can tell doctors a lot about your health, for example the presence of abnormal white blood cells can prompt further testing to fully diagnose leukaemia.
• Bone marrow test – A doctor will take a small sample of bone marrow to be tested for leukaemia.

Once leukaemia is diagnosed, treatment typically begins promptly in order to give the patient the best possible prognosis. There are a number of different treatment options available, and the type of treatment prescribed will usually depend on the type of leukaemia and how advanced the cancer is.

Treatment methods for leukaemia include:

• Chemotherapy – A treatment which uses drugs to destroy cancer cells
• Radiotherapy – A method in which radiation is used to destroy cancer cells and prevent further growth
• Targeted therapy – Drugs are used to target and attack the cancer cells in order to slow the spread or destroy them completely
• Biological therapy – A treatment that aids the immune system in distinguishing between normal and cancerous cells
• Stem cell transplant – A method by which the diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow
• Palliative care – In some cases the cancer has progressed too far to be treated successfully, so patients are given palliative care to preserve their comfort and dignity as they approach end of life

In many cases a combination of different treatment methods is prescribed, for example a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy may follow a stem cell transplant to ensure that all of the cancerous cells have been removed successfully.

If you feel that the treatment you received was not appropriate for the type or stage of leukaemia you are suffering with, and it has led to your condition worsening, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Please get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable medical negligence team who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Treatment for leukaemia can be quite intensive and invasive, and it often carries undesirable side effects. Methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy are highly effective at treating a wide variety of cancers, including leukaemia, however, they do come with some additional risks.

Some of the common side effects associated with leukaemia treatment include:

• Hair loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Mouth sores
• Bleeding
• Anaemia
• Infection

If you are suffering from any adverse side effects from your leukaemia treatment it is always advisable to speak to your doctor as there may be an alternative treatment they can try, or additional medication that can be prescribed to help with the symptoms.