Medical Malpractice Lawyers Recognize Brain Tumor Action Week: May 6-12, 2012
This week is Brain Tumor Action Week. Each year, approximately 210,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor. A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which some cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, taking up space within the skull and interfering with normal brain activity. Brain tumors can damage by increasing pressure in the brain, by shifting the brain or pushing against the skull, and by invading and damaging nerves and healthy brain tissue.
Malignant brain tumors are considered cancer. Malignant tumors (brain cancer) are rapidly growing tumors that invade and destroy normal brain tissue. Benign tumors are not considered cancer, but can later develop into cancer.
According to the National Brain Tumor Society, some common signs of a brain tumor include: headaches, gradual loss of movement or sensation in an arm or leg, trouble with balance, sudden seizures, loss of vision or double vision (especially when associated with a headache), memory loss, hearing loss and speech difficulty.
Medical Malpractice Lawyers Say Failure to Timely Diagnose and Treat a Brain Tumor Can Decrease Survival Chances
Diagnosis and timely treatment of a malignant brain tumor is extremely important in order to increase the likelihood of survival. Typically, brain tumors are diagnosed with a neurological examination, brain scans and/or an analysis of the brain tissue. Brain tumors can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, depending on the type and severity of the tumor. In some cases, less aggressive forms of a brain tumor, such as a benign tumor, may not require the same level of treatment as a malignant tumor. However, since some benign tumors can later become malignant, it is important to continually monitor the tumor.
An experienced and qualified team of medical professionals should always oversee the treatment of any brain tumor since failure to diagnose or treat a tumor can result in serious permanent injuries including loss of vision, hearing impairment, permanent brain injury or death. Brain tumors can also metastasize, or spread, throughout the central nervous system which includes the brain and spinal cord. In rare cases, brain cancer can also spread to other parts of the body. If you feel that you are receiving substandard care for a brain tumor, you should immediately seek a second opinion from a qualified physician.
Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey
The Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving medical malpractice cases resulting from delayed and failure to diagnose brain injuries. Our extremely skilled team of medical malpractice lawyers and medical experts are dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries as a result of a medical error in failing to diagnose or treat a brain tumor or any other type of negligent care received by a medical provider, contact the medical malpractice lawyers of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.