As stated by the Bone Cancer Research Trust, a staggering 76% of primary bone cancer cases are initially misdiagnosed. This is particularly concerning given that bone cancer can carry a host of unwanted symptoms. In many cases, the disease can even prove fatal.

For patients suffering with bone cancer, getting the correct diagnosis as soon as possible is essential. Without the correct diagnosis, the patient’s condition will remain untreated and the likelihood of cancer spreading to other regions of the body will increase.

When doctors miss obvious signs of bone cancer and misdiagnose a patient suffering with bone cancer, this can be considered negligent.

If you have suffered as a consequence of bone cancer-related negligence, our expert team can assist you in claiming the compensation to which you are entitled.

Why choose us?

Aside from physical, emotional and mental harm, medical negligence can also have a significant impact on your finances. Transport costs, loss of earnings and more can be affected by a bone cancer misdiagnosis.

Our specialists are experienced in advising and supporting victims of medical negligence relating to a bone cancer misdiagnosis.

And we have been doing it for decades.

We know that putting a price on the trauma that a bone cancer misdiagnosis causes is impossible. But with the right solicitor at your side, making a claim that considers the breadth of harm done to you is straightforward.

At SDS, we also understand that it isn’t just about the money. Claiming compensation helps to prevent similar mistakes from happening in the future.

For expert advice regarding your situation - including whether you could have a claim and how much you may be entitled to - get in touch with us today. Simply call us via the number at the top of this page or fill out our contact form.

How can bone cancer be misdiagnosed?

While many different cancers can unfortunately spread from their original location and into one or more bones, primary bone cancer is a rarer form of cancer which starts in the bone. Despite being a rarer condition, there are still hundreds of people affected with it every year.

The lack of any conclusive explanation for why primary bone cancer develops means that the disease is also one of the least well-understood forms of cancer. Unfortunately, it is often misdiagnosed for this reason. Lack of training or experience can impact whether a doctor sends their patient for further tests.

As a result, patients suffering with bone cancer may initially be misdiagnosed with another condition such as Idiopathic myositis - a range of disorders caused by inflammation of the skeletal muscles. This condition can manifest as a painful, rapidly expanding mass which can be misread on x-rays as osteosarcoma.

However, additional tests (such as a biopsy) should confirm whether the patient is suffering from bone cancer.

Due to the initial misdiagnosis of nearly three-quarters of bone cancer patients in the United Kingdom, medical professionals should be aware of the condition’s most common symptoms. Even though mistakes (such as unclear x-rays) are sometimes unavoidable, the medical team could be held liable if any obvious signs were not investigated appropriately.

If you, or someone close to you, have experienced harm as a result of a bone cancer misdiagnosis, you could be entitled to compensation. To find out for sure, get in touch with our experts today.

What are the different types of bone cancer?

There are two main categories of bone cancer; cancer that begins in the bones (primary bone cancer) or cancer that begins elsewhere before spreading to the bones (secondary bone cancer).

The different kinds of primary bone cancer include:

Multiple myeloma

Also known simply as myeloma, multiple myeloma affects the bone marrow and frequently results in a painful sensation in the bones.

Rather than exhibiting as a tumour, multiple myeloma inhibits antibody production in bone marrow. It can affect multiple bones in the body (including the spine) and can lead to other serious conditions such as kidney failure or bone deterioration.

Chondrosarcoma

This is one of the most common forms of bone cancer.

Chondrosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that develops from cartilage-producing cells and typically affects the bones of the hips and pelvis in adults over the age of 40.

Chondrosarcoma can also appear in children and young adults, especially after a growth spurt - during which time the likelihood of a bone tumour forming increases.

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent type of bone cancer and begins in the cells that form bones.

It typically affects the long bones of the leg and arm and is prevalent in children, adolescents and young adults. Osteosarcoma is often misdiagnosed as a muscle strain or growing pains by GPs.

Ewing sarcoma

As one of the rarer forms of bone cancer, Ewing sarcoma affects bones and/or the tissue around bones.

Because the symptoms of Ewing sarcoma - including fatigue, bone pain and a persistent high temperature - are common of many conditions, Ewing sarcoma is often misdiagnosed.

What are the symptoms of bone cancer?

As a current or previous bone cancer patient, your experience will be unique to you. For some people, their condition may deteriorate at a faster rate than others. But for all patients, your medical team detecting and (correctly) diagnosing your condition as soon as possible is essential.

Generally speaking, the longer that bone cancer is left untreated, the more severe the treatment options will be. For example, bone surgery and even transplants may be necessary if the condition has been left to worsen. These forms of treatment are aggressive and cause extreme discomfort and stress.

To minimise the progression of your condition and the aggressiveness of treatment required, doctors need to diagnose early on and must be aware of the following bone cancer symptoms:

Extreme and unintended weight loss
Inflammation or pain surrounding the bone or joint
Sudden bone fractures caused by weakening of the bone
Skin discoloration near the bone and joint
A persistent high temperature (especially at night)
Joint stiffness that impacts movement

Other symptoms of bone cancer include pain and swelling.

The most common symptom of bone cancer, specifically osteosarcoma, is intense pain in the affected bone (typically around the knee or upper arm, and frequently occurring at night). The pain may increase in intensity after physical activity, depending on where the tumour is located.

Because osteosarcoma tends to first occur in longer bones such as the arm or leg bones, patients will typically experience pain in these regions, especially after exercise. Leg pain caused by osteosarcoma can also make walking difficult, while arm pain can make doing day-to-day tasks more challenging.

Another common symptom of osteosarcoma is swelling in the affected area. Depending on the location of the tumour, patients may also feel a lump or mass. Any swelling or lumps that occur may not become apparent for several weeks after the onset of pain.

While bone cancer is a rare form of cancer, it can and does still impact the lives of hundreds of patients every year. Doctors should be aware of the more common symptoms so that they can accurately diagnose their patients and refer them to an oncologist for treatment as soon as possible. The faster a patient is diagnosed, the higher their chances of being successfully treated in time to prevent the progression (and spread) of the cancer.

Unfortunately, even as medical professionals are expected to correctly monitor their patients’ symptoms, mistakes can and do still occur. But, if your doctor missed obvious signs of bone cancer before misdiagnosing you, and you experienced harm as a result, you could be entitled to compensation.

Making a claim for medical negligence can seem daunting. But you don’t have to do it alone.

To find out whether you could have a claim, how much you may be entitled to and what your next steps should be, get in touch with our experts today. Simply fill out our contact form or call us on the number at the top of this page.

What are the risks of bone cancer misdiagnosis?

Bone cancer is a condition that requires expert treatment. When a patient who is suffering with bone cancer is misdiagnosed, their condition is given more time to worsen. This means that any symptoms the patient may be experiencing as a result of their condition (see above) will impact the patient more severely or for longer.

Additionally, the patient may experience even more of these unwanted symptoms as a result of the delay in treatment.

Unfortunately, a bone cancer misdiagnosis can also lead to even worse consequences.

Medical professionals are aware of just how serious bone cancer can be, and should monitor their patients correctly for symptoms of the condition. Sadly, failure to accurately diagnose and treat bone cancer promptly can prove to be fatal.

If someone close to you has passed away because they were initially misdiagnosed with a condition other than bone cancer, you could be entitled to compensation.

We know that no amount of money could ever take away from the pain that this kind of medical negligence causes. But with expert advice from an experienced solicitor, you can begin to understand the options that are available to you.

I was initially misdiagnosed while suffering from bone cancer. Am I entitled to compensation?

It is important to note that, while all patients deserve the highest level of care, not all cases where bone cancer is misdiagnosed are considered negligent. There are many reasons for this, such as x-rays being difficult to read or symptoms matching another illness.

If your doctor made a misdiagnosis because of the limited information available to them, and if this is a mistake other doctors would have made in the same situation, then this may not be considered negligent.

But if your doctor missed obvious symptoms before making the misdiagnosis, or if they did not refer you to an oncologist as soon as possible, then this is considered a breach of conduct and you could be entitled to compensation.

What are my next steps?

Making a claim can help to alleviate some of the financial burden caused by a bone cancer misdiagnosis.

Nobody should suffer because of their healthcare team’s mistakes. In addition to seeking compensation for your suffering, filing a claim can help you get justice for the wrong that was done to you. In the process, you may also help to prevent others from going through a similar experience.

The amount of compensation you receive will be proportional to the costs you incurred as a result of the incident. It will also cover other expenses, such as medical and housing costs, if you are forced to stop working entirely.

Getting the compensation and closure you deserve can be extremely challenging and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. At SDS Solicitors, we’re with you every step of the way.

Contact Us

Our Medical Negligence Lawyers, act regularly for clients across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield.

As a recognised personal injury claims law firm we can support your needs wherever you live in Wales, England & Northern Ireland.

We specialise in no win no fee claims, which means if you don't win, you won't have to pay.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are a Lexcel accredited law firm. The Lexcel standard is only awarded by the Law Society to firms who meet the highest standards of practice management and customer service.