Oesophageal Cancer Negligence & Misdiagnosis Claims Solicitors

Oesophageal cancer is a type of cancer which affects the long food pipe connecting the throat to the stomach. There are several different types of oesophageal cancer, but over 95% of cases are adenocarcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas.

• Adenocarcinoma – This is the most common type of oesophageal cancer, and it develops in the glandular cells found within the submucosal lining of the oesophagus. Adenocarcinoma mainly affects the lower part of the oesophagus; it is associated with a history of acid reflux and being overweight and is more common in men than women.
• Squamous cell carcinoma – This is the second most common type of oesophageal cancer and is linked to drinking alcohol and smoking. Squamous cell carcinoma develops in the squamous cells of the inner oesophageal lining in the middle and upper parts of the oesophagus.
• Undifferentiated cancer – In some cases the cancer cells may appear to be undeveloped when viewed under a microscope, so the oncologist may be unable to determine which type of oesophageal cancer you have, in which case they would diagnose undifferentiated oesophageal cancer.

Whichever type of oesophageal cancer you have been diagnosed with, if there was any delay in receiving the correct diagnosis due to medical negligence, you may be able to claim compensation. If your condition has worsened as a result of clinical negligence, we can help you to claim what you deserve, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.

All medical professionals owe their patients a duty of care to ensure they provide an adequate level of care as a minimum. Any failure to uphold this duty of care could be considered clinical negligence, and compensation may be sought if said negligence has caused a deterioration in the health of the patient.

There are several ways in which oesophageal cancer negligence could occur, including:

• Failure to recognise the symptoms of oesophageal cancer
• Failure to refer a patient to a specialist urgently
• Failure to carry out the necessary diagnostic testing
• Failure to read and interpret the test results accurately
• Failure to inform a patient of the test results
• Failure to prescribe the appropriate course of treatment

This list is by no means exhaustive, and if you have suffered in any way because of negligent behaviour, you may be eligible for a claim.

The symptoms of oesophageal cancer can often be very similar to those of other, less serious, conditions, which can give way to potential misdiagnosis. If you notice anything unusual in your body, it is always worth seeing your GP for further investigation.

Some of the key symptoms to look out for include:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Pain when swallowing
• Pain/burning in the chest
• Heartburn and/or indigestion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Regurgitating food
• Unintended weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent cough
• Throat pain or hoarseness
• Coughing up blood
• Blood in the vomit/stool
• Pain/discomfort in the chest
• Feeling very lethargic

This list is not exhaustive, and if you develop any unusual symptoms, it is always advisable to see your GP as soon as possible so that they can rule out the potential causes and set you on the right path to diagnosis. Oesophageal cancer stands the best chance of being curable when it is diagnosed early, so it is vital that you act quickly when symptoms occur.

Specialists typically use a combination of different tests in order to produce an accurate diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. These tests include the following:

• Gastroscopy – A type of endoscopy in which a camera is inserted into the oesophagus and stomach in order to look for abnormalities.
• Biopsy – During the gastroscopy a small sample of cells may be collected in order to be sent to the lab for testing.
• Blood test – In some cases a blood test can be used to confirm an oesophageal cancer diagnosis, as the cancer may potentially cause anaemia or liver problems.

If your GP suspects oesophageal cancer they should refer you urgently to a specialist for further testing. Failure to refer you, or failure of the specialist to carry out the appropriate tests could constitute medical negligence and could form the basis of a compensation claim.

The type of treatment prescribed for oesophageal cancer will usually depend on the type and stage of cancer, the location of the tumour, whether it has spread to other parts of the body, and your general health. In most cases patients will be treated with multiple complementary methods which provide the best possible chance of curing the cancer.

Some of the most common ways in which oesophageal cancer is treated include:

• Surgery – If oesophageal cancer is detected early enough and is still confined to the oesophagus, it may be possible to remove the tumour by taking out some or all the oesophagus, and potentially some of the surrounding organs if they are affected.
• Chemotherapy – This is a type of medicine administered either intravenously or orally to kill cancer cells. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or may be used before surgery to shrink the tumour, or after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells.
• Radiotherapy – High energy radiation rays are used to target and kill cancer cells and may be used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat early oesophageal cancer, or to help control the spread and improve the symptoms of advanced stage cancer.
• Targeted medicines/immunotherapy – These methods aim to slow or stop the spread of oesophageal cancer in cases where it has spread to another part of the body, cannot be cured, or to reduce the risk of the cancer redeveloping after surgery.

Your cancer treatment should be coordinated by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, and they have a duty of care to provide you with the most appropriate course of treatment based on the type and stage of your cancer, as well as your overall condition of health. Any breach in this duty of care may constitute medical negligence and could put you in a position to claim compensation.

It is not known exactly why some people develop oesophageal cancer, however, there are several factors which may increase the likelihood of a person developing the condition, including:

• Age – The risk of developing oesophageal cancer increases with age
• Sex – Men are at a higher risk of developing the disease than women
• Obesity – Being obese can increase a person’s risk of oesophageal cancer
• Smoking – Regular use of tobacco is a major risk factor for cancer of the oesophagus
• Alcohol – Heavy consumption of alcohol can damage the oesophagus
• Barrett’s oesophagus – This is a condition which causes the cells lining the oesophagus to transform, becoming more like stomach cells
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) – This is an infection transmitted via sexual intercourse which has been linked to an increased risk of oesophageal cancer

If you fall into any of the above categories, it does not necessarily mean that you will develop cancer of the oesophagus. However, if you present to your GP with concerning symptoms, and you fit the above criteria, they owe you a duty of care to refer you for urgent testing in order to rule out or diagnose cancer.