What is Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancer is a cancer of the esophagus, the hollow muscular tube connecting the stomach to the throat. While it can start anywhere, esophageal cancer usually begins in the inner layer of the esophageal wall and grows outward. The main types of esophageal cancer are squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. But there are also rare cancers like lymphomas, sarcomas, and melanomas which can develop in the esophagus.
The following symptoms may indicate esophageal cancer:
- Trouble swallowing or dysphagia
- Chest pain
- Weight loss
- Hoarseness
- Chronic cough
- Vomiting
- Bone pain (if cancer has spread to the bone)
- Bleeding into the esophagus and blood in the stool
The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that around 22,000 cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed in 2024, resulting in more than 16,000 deaths. It is difficult to find esophageal cancer early because symptoms usually only manifest when the cancer is already advanced. But if you have certain conditions that increase the risk of esophageal cancer, some tests can
be used to monitor your condition.
The following medical conditions may increase esophageal cancer risk:
- GERD
- Barrett’s esophagus syndrome
- Achalasia
- Tylosis
- Plummer Vinson-syndrome
Doctors may use the following tests to diagnose esophageal cancer:
- Imaging tests (CT Scans and MRIs)
- Endoscopy
- Laboratory tests for HER2, PD-L1, MMR and MSI
- Blood tests
- Liver enzyme tests
It is crucial to find esophageal cancer as early as possible. The ACS estimates the 5-year relative survival rates for esophageal cancer using the SEER database and categorizes them into localized, regional, or distant. At the localized stage, when cancer is still only in the esophagus, survival rates are at 49%. When cancer spreads to nearby structures and lymph nodes in the regional stage, this drops to 28%. And at the distant stage, when esophageal cancer spreads to other organs, there is only an 8% survival rate.
Treatments for esophageal cancer include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted Drug Therapy
- Immunotherapy
The more advanced esophageal cancer gets, the more intense treatments become. At the early stages, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery may be possible. But if esophageal cancer has already spread far, esophagectomy and even removal of parts of the stomach may be necessary.
What Can I Do if I Was Misdiagnosed or Diagnosed Late with Esophageal Cancer in New York?
If you or a loved one have been misdiagnosed or diagnosed late with esophageal cancer in New York, call the Porter Law Group. Our medical malpractice lawyers and board-certified medical experts can evaluate your case for free and see if you have been the victim of your doctor’s medical negligence.
The lawyers at Porter Law Group have a proven track record of recovering compensation for victims of medical malpractice in New York. We have extensive experience in representing cancer patients who were harmed, or whose injuries worsened because their doctor failed to diagnose their cancer promptly when it should have been possible, and when treatment would have been effective.
Can I Sue for Medical Malpractice if I was Diagnosed Late with Esophageal Cancer in New York?
Patients may be eligible to sue medical staff if their esophageal cancer is diagnosed late. However, not all cases of delayed diagnosis can be considered medical malpractice. It is not enough to show that you’ve been injured, or that your injuries worsened to receive financial compensation, especially in cases of esophageal cancer where early detection is difficult. You need to establish that there was a doctor-patient relationship, that your doctor deviated from the expected standard of care for patients with similar conditions. And that this deviation was the proximate cause of your injury.
You will need an experienced medical malpractice lawyer and a qualified medical expert who can carefully evaluate your medical records and test results. Medical negligence cases are complex, especially in New York where you need to deal with numerous documentary and filing requirements and be aware of the statute of limitations within which to file your claim.
The Porter Law Group has recovered millions of dollars* for victims of medical malpractice in New York. Our experienced trial lawyers have dealt with multiple cases where doctors either failed to order the appropriate tests, failed to read the test results, or misinterpreted them and worsened the patient’s condition. Call the Porter Law Group today for a free case evaluation. If you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice due to your doctor’s negligence in New York, we can get you, and your family, the answers and financial compensation you deserve.
Contact us at 833-PORTER9, or e-mail us at info@porterlawteam.com to discuss the details of our experience representing other clients and the results we were able to obtain in the past for clients who also suffered from cancer. In many ways, our results speak for themselves, and we will stand ready to help you and your family in your time of greatest need.
