Doctor’s diagnosis lead to unnecessary breast removal
Perhaps another case making the case for need for second opinions in pathology either internal or external prior to major surgical procedures or medical therapy as the prior post mentions.
Have seen this story on a number of sites and with 2.0 technologies others are going to add their opinions such as here.
The stories are short on details as suit just filed but emphasizes importance of pathology and need for public to understand what pathologists do and for us in pathology to realize our patients expect no less than 100% from us if in fact there was an error made here. Some may act without questioning the diagnosis or obtaining other opinions prior to initiating therapy.
From http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/4501411.php:
A Niles (IL) couple filed a lawsuit against NorthShore University HealthSystem (IL) and a doctor Friday after they allegedly misdiagnosed a woman with breast cancer and removed her right breast only to discover that the woman did not have breast cancer.
The suit, filed by Niles residents Ranna and Rajesh Dave, claims that Ranna Dave went to her gynecologist complaining of swelling, irritation and discharge of her right nipple on August 1, 2007.
Her doctor suggested she undergo a right nipple biopsy, and a specimen was sent to a lab and analyzed by Dr. Robert Goldschmidt, the suit alleges.
Dr. Goldschmidt issued a pathology report; diagnosing Ranna Dave with “invasive breast cancer” and her doctor, relying on the accuracy of the pathology report, recommended she undergo a right mastectomy.
On August 24, 2007, Ranna Dave’s right breast was removed at Rush North Shore Medical Center in Skokie and another pathologist analyzed a surgical specimen, the suit alleges.
“A pathology report was issued by Rush North Shore Medical Center indicating that the surgical specimen was negative for malignancy,” the suit said. An independent review of the findings by the hospital confirmed that Ranna Dave did not have breast cancer.
The Dave’s are suing Dr. Goldschmidt and NorthShore University HealthSystem, accusing them of medical negligence, improper diagnosis of cancer, personal injury, loss of consortium and institutional negligence.
Rush North Shore Medical Center and Dr. Steven Sandler are also listed in the suit as respondents in discovery, “as they have information essential to the determination of who should properly be named as additional defendants” in the case, the suit said.
Ranna Dave claims the incident left her with injuries of a “personal and pecuniary” nature, and her husband has lost affection, comfort, services and consortium of his wife.
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