Kidney cancer often develops silently, with symptoms that can be subtle or mistaken for less serious conditions. However, when signs do emerge, timely and thorough evaluation is critical. Monitoring for signs and symptoms of kidney cancer is a fundamental aspect of responsible medical care, particularly in patients with elevated risk factors such as a history of smoking, hypertension, obesity, or exposure to toxins. When healthcare providers fail to identify clinical warning signs or delay diagnostic efforts, the result may be a missed opportunity to detect the disease at an early and treatable stage. If you believe that your health or that of a loved one was compromised due to a delay in diagnosis or the failure to investigate troubling symptoms, you may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice claim, and you should consult a knowledgeable attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys are skilled at demonstrating that careless medical providers should be held accountable for the harm caused by their oversights and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Monitoring for signs and symptoms of kidney cancer requires physicians to remain alert to both direct and indirect indicators of the disease. Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is one of the most common early symptoms. Others include persistent flank pain, a palpable mass in the abdomen, unexplained weight loss, fever not caused by infection, and general fatigue. In many instances, kidney tumors are discovered incidentally during imaging conducted for unrelated complaints. Physicians must not only recognize suspicious findings but also initiate timely diagnostic follow-up, such as CT scans, MRIs, or biopsies. In patients with risk factors or recurrent urinary symptoms, the failure to perform this workup may amount to a serious lapse in judgment.
The harm that results from a provider’s failure to monitor for signs and symptoms of kidney cancer can be life-altering. When kidney cancer is detected early, often before it spreads beyond the kidney, treatment such as partial or total nephrectomy can be curative. However, delayed diagnosis allows the disease to progress, often spreading to the lymph nodes, lungs, bones, or brain. Advanced renal cancer typically requires more aggressive and less effective treatment, such as systemic immunotherapy or targeted drugs, and it carries a significantly lower survival rate. Patients may endure painful complications, long-term disability, and emotional suffering. These consequences not only diminish the patient’s quality of life but may also deprive them of years they otherwise could have had. In some cases, the opportunity for curative treatment may be permanently lost.
When a person suffers injury due to a provider’s inadequate monitoring for signs and symptoms of kidney cancer, they may be able to assert a medical malpractice claim against their provider. These claims are typically based on negligence. Under Maryland law, a plaintiff alleging a defendant’s negligence caused their harm must first show that the defendant owed them a duty. In the setting of medical care, duty refers to the legal obligation a healthcare provider has to offer care consistent with what other reasonably competent providers would do under similar circumstances.
The plaintiff then has to show that the defendant’s conduct falls below that standard and therefore constitutes a breach. For example, if a physician disregards recurrent hematuria without ordering imaging studies, or if they fail to act on abnormal lab results suggestive of kidney dysfunction, that failure may constitute a breach of duty.
The plaintiff must then prove causation, meaning they must demonstrate that the breach directly caused their harm. In the context of delayed diagnosis, this generally requires evidence that earlier detection would have enabled more effective or less invasive treatment. This can be complex and nearly always requires expert testimony.
Finally, the plaintiff must prove damages. These include both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages encompass medical expenses, lost income, future care needs, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages generally refers to harm that is less easily quantified, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The failure to properly monitor for signs and symptoms of kidney cancer can have devastating consequences that no patient should have to endure. If you or someone you love has suffered due to a provider’s failure to take appropriate diagnostic steps, you may have grounds to assert a claim for compensation, and you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, our knowledgeable Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys understand the legal and medical complexities of cases arising out of inadequate care, and if we represent you, we will work diligently to seek justice on your behalf. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we represent clients throughout the city and surrounding areas. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney, call us at 410-889-1850 or contact us online.
