Medical

The cancer that’s hard to diagnose

One type cancer which is difficult to diagnose and which is consequently subject to misdiagnosis is lymphoma. Lymphoma is the term used to describe a group of cancers of the lymphatic system, first described in 1832 by Thomas Hodgkin, but it can also happen in other areas of the body, for example the stomach, skin or the liver. It can also, less commonly, occur as a solid tumour in the brain.

According to Yorkshire solicitors Grayson’s: “Late diagnosis or treatment is often the cause of medical negligence cases for lymphoma sufferers. In some types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases a ‘wait and watch’ approach is used. This is due to the difficulty in diagnosing the specific strand of lymphoma, many of which require different treatments. The potential problem with this approach is that the treatment may be delayed too long, leading to additional suffering by the patient.”

The international Lymphoma Coalition says: “Signs and symptoms can be similar to other, less serious illnesses, making diagnosis sometimes challenging. Lymphoma is often misdiagnosed as a flu or fatigue. However an early diagnosis is important, because if untreated, some types of lymphoma can be fatal within a short period of time.”