Treatment Options for Breast Cancer

Baltimore Attorneys Representing Victims of Negligent Breast Cancer Treatment

Treatment options for breast cancer vary depending on the stage of the disease, the patient’s age, medical history, and overall health. When physicians properly evaluate a patient’s condition and recommend appropriate treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or hormonal therapy, they can often significantly improve survival outcomes and quality of life. However, when doctors fail to present or pursue proper treatment options for breast cancer, patients may experience devastating consequences, including disease progression and loss of life. If you or a loved one suffered harm because a healthcare provider failed to recommend or administer the correct course of treatment for breast cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, and you should speak to an attorney. The experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are dedicated to representing people harmed by substandard medical care, and if we represent you, we can assist you in pursuing the justice and damages you deserve.

The Importance of Proper Treatment Options for Breast Cancer

Treatment options for breast cancer must be tailored to the individual’s specific diagnosis, and failure to provide adequate or timely treatment can cause irreversible harm. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women, but it is also one of the most treatable forms of cancer when addressed promptly and appropriately. Physicians must consider a range of therapies, from surgical interventions such as lumpectomies and mastectomies to adjuvant therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, targeted biologic therapy, or hormone-blocking medications. A comprehensive and individualized treatment plan is critical to controlling tumor growth and preventing metastasis.

When doctors fail to recommend suitable treatment options for breast cancer, their patients may suffer significantly. A physician might disregard clinical guidelines, overlook critical diagnostic findings, or fail to communicate available treatments that could have improved or prolonged the patient’s life. For example, if a doctor neglects to suggest post-surgical chemotherapy or radiation therapy after detecting invasive cancer cells, the patient’s risk of recurrence or metastasis increases substantially. Likewise, when physicians fail to refer patients to oncologists or specialists equipped to manage complex treatment regimens, the delay can allow the cancer to spread beyond the breast tissue, drastically reducing survival rates. Such omissions can lead to unnecessary pain, emotional distress, reduced life expectancy, and profound financial and familial strain.

Establishing Negligence in a Maryland Medical Malpractice Claim

When a patient suffers harm because a physician fails to recommend appropriate treatment options for breast cancer, the patient may pursue a medical malpractice claim under Maryland law. Medical malpractice claims are grounded in negligence, and to succeed, a plaintiff must establish four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

The duty element arises from the doctor-patient relationship. In Maryland, physicians owe their patients a duty to exercise the degree of care and skill that a reasonably competent doctor in the same field would use under similar circumstances. The applicable standard of care often depends on the medical specialty and the accepted clinical guidelines for treating breast cancer. Once the plaintiff establishes that the physician owed them this duty, they must show that the doctor breached it by deviating from the accepted standard, such as failing to recommend surgery, delaying necessary chemotherapy, or neglecting to inform the patient of available life-saving treatments.

The third element, causation, requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that the physician’s breach directly caused their injury. In other words, the plaintiff must prove that had the doctor provided proper treatment recommendations, the outcome would likely have been better. This often requires expert testimony from medical professionals who can explain how the physician’s actions or omissions contributed to the patient’s worsened condition. Expert witnesses play a critical role in Maryland malpractice cases, as they are needed not only to define the applicable standard of care but also to connect the breach of that standard to the harm suffered.

Finally, the plaintiff must prove damages, meaning that they sustained actual, compensable harm as a result of the malpractice. Recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, physical pain, emotional suffering, and, in some cases, wrongful death damages for surviving family members. Under Maryland law, there are statutory caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, but plaintiffs can still recover full compensation for their economic losses. Demonstrating the extent of harm often requires detailed medical records, testimony from treating physicians, and documentation of the patient’s pain, suffering, and financial losses.

Seek Guidance From a Knowledgeable Baltimore Malpractice Attorney

The failure to recommend proper treatment options for breast cancer can have life-altering consequences for patients and their families. If you or a loved one were harmed because a physician failed to provide or recommend appropriate breast cancer treatment options, you should speak with an attorney promptly to protect your rights. The capable Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group understand the devastating impact that negligent cancer care can have, and if you hire us, we will work diligently to build a compelling case on your behalf. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we represent clients throughout the city and surrounding areas in Maryland who have suffered from inadequate cancer care and other forms of medical negligence. You can reach us at 410-889-1850 or contact us through our online form to schedule a consultation and learn more about your legal options.