Brain Cancer Negligence Claims.

When cells in the brain multiply uncontrollably or spread abnormally, a tumour forms. The tumour may begin in the brain (what is known as a “primary” brain tumour) or the cancer could originate in another part of the body (such as the lung, breast, or bowels) and spread to the brain via the bloodstream – known as a “metastatic” brain tumour.

A brain tumour can be malignant (cancerous), or benign (non-cancerous).  It may be a low grade tumour which is slow-growing and not immediately life threatening, or a high grade tumour which is aggressive, fast-growing, and poses a serious threat to life.

Brain cancer can affect both adults and children alike, although the risk of developing the condition does increase with age. Other factors that may contribute to a higher risk of developing brain cancer include exposure to radiation, certain genetic conditions, and a family history of the condition.

Some of the symptoms of a brain tumour can also be indicative of other, less serious, conditions such as sinusitis or migraines, as well as other serious conditions such as stroke or Multiple Sclerosis. If the wrong diagnosis is  made, it can lead to a patient undergoing unnecessary treatment, whilst at the same time missing out on the treatment that is actually required. This delay in receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment can lead to the cancer growing and spreading, potentially making it untreatable, and therefore affecting a persons’ long term prognosis.

The symptoms of brain cancer often vary depending on the size of the tumour and which part of the brain is affected, but some of the key “red flag” signs to look out for include:

• Frequent and severe headaches
• Cognitive changes such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating
• Vision issues such as blind spots, blurred/double vision, and loss of peripheral vision
• Visual hallucinations
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Behavioural and personality changes
• Speech and communication problems
• Full body seizures, involuntary movements, or absence seizures
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• Progressive weakness and loss of coordination and balance
• Increased fatigue and pain

This list is not exhaustive, and some of the symptoms associated with a brain tumour can also be indicative of less serious conditions. However, any symptoms that are not usual for you should be brought to your GP’s attention so that they can make an assessment and refer you for further testing where necessary.

In most instances, the patient will present to their GP or an A&E department at hospital with some of the symptoms of a brain tumour – such as persistent headaches, cognitive issues, or problems with their vision. The doctor will assess them, and then refer the patient to a neurologist for further testing if they have cause for concern.

Upon seeing the neurologist, the following diagnostic tests may be carried out:

• Neurological examination – this will include hearing and eye tests in order to determine how the brain is functioning and whether or not the brain function is being impaired by the presence of a tumour.
• Neurocognitive tests – these provide a detailed assessment of the major functions of the brain, including the storage and retrieval of memories, receptive and expressive language abilities, dexterity, calculation, and the patient’s general wellbeing.
• Brain scan – several different scans may be carried out, such as an MRI scan to measure the size of the tumour; a CT scan to identify any bleeding or fluid-filled ventricles in the brain as well as any changes to the skull; and a PET scan to identify areas of the brain that are more active than others.
• Biopsy – a small sample of tissue may be taken from the tumour, where it is then sent to the lab for testing to assess the type and grade of tumour.
• Blood tests – these alone are not enough to diagnose brain cancer, but some types of tumour release certain chemicals and hormones into the blood, so a blood test can be useful in guiding the doctor with which tests to order.

If a brain tumour is suspected based on your symptoms, your referral to a neurologist should happen urgently. Any delay in your referral could have a detrimental impact on your condition. If your diagnosis and subsequent treatment has been delayed, you may be entitled to claim for medical negligence compensation. Our expert solicitors can help you to navigate the claims process in a simple and easy-to-understand way.

There are a number of potential treatment options for brain cancer which typically depend on the size, location, type, and grade of the tumour, as well as the rate at which the tumour is progressing. Other factors that can influence the treatment plan include the age and general health of the patient. Treatment options are typically discussed by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians including neurologists, neurosurgeons, and oncologists, in order to ensure the best possible course of treatment for each patient.

Treatment will usually include:

• Steroids and medication to provide symptomatic relief
• Radiotherapy which uses beams of radiation to kill cancerous cells
• Chemotherapy which uses anticancer medication to kill the cancer
• Surgery can be used to remove the tumour in some cases
• Genomic biomarker treatments whereby molecular profiling allows doctors to prescribe personalised targeted treatments

If you believe that your brain cancer treatment was below the standard expected, and your condition was made worse due to negligent treatment, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Please get in touch with us today and our team of medical negligence experts will be happy to help you.