Michigan Oral Cancer Detection and Misdiagnosis Lawyer

Chronic pain should not go unnoticed or untreated by physicians. If you or a loved one has experienced immense oral pain, you may have an underlying disease or disorder. It is best to see a doctor, dentist, or oral surgeon about your concerns; however, determining the underlying cause of oral pain is not always easy. Often, people are misdiagnosed and don’t receive proper care. 

If you believe you have been misdiagnosed or not cared for properly by your primary care provider, specialist, dentist, or other medical professionals, you need to contact an experienced attorney today. The team at Sommers Schwartz specializes in complex medical malpractice matters. Give us a call at 800-783-0898 to discuss your circumstances and how to move forward with your care.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer

A primary doctor should routinely check for any obscured bumps, rashes, sores, or other symptoms and review test results that can be linked to oral diseases or disorders. A dentist is usually the first to discover signs of oral and oropharyngeal cancer during a routine examination. 

Typical signs and symptoms that a patient may suffer from include: 

• A sore that does not heal within 14 days.
• Bleeding in the mouth.
• Pain in the mouth.
• Ear Pain.
• Jaw Pain.
• Numbness of the mouth or tongue.
• A lump or hard spot in the tissue.
• Raised tissue in the mouth or on the tongue.
• A black, white, or red discoloration on the soft tissues.
• A sore under a denture.
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing.
• Chronic bad breath.

If you have symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately.   

How Is Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Diagnosed

Doctors or dentists will decide which tests are needed to understand your health condition further. Factors like your age, type of cancer detected, signs, symptoms, and past medical test results all play a role in providing a proper diagnosis. 

Some tests to help diagnose and evaluate oral and oropharyngeal cancer are: 

• Physical exam: During a physical examination, the dentist or doctor feels your neck, lips, gums, and cheeks for any lumps. They may also inspect or palpate the lymph nodes on the neck and behind the nose. 
• Endoscopy: The doctor looks inside the mouth and throat with an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube with an attached light and view lens that helps the doctor find abnormalities.
• Biopsy: This procedure involves removing a small amount of suspicious tissue. It will be examined under a microscope. A pathologist will review this test and evaluate the cells, tissue, and organs to help determine a proper diagnosis. 
• HPV testing: This test may be performed on a tumor sample removed during a biopsy.  
• X-rays: An X-ray may be performed at the doctor’s office or a dentist’s office. X-rays can help find or provide more information about abnormalities in a patient’s neck or mouth.
• Oral brush biopsy: Dentists can sometimes use a small brush to gather cell samples of a suspicious area rather than performing a traditional biopsy. This test can be performed during routine cleanings.

If they detect something suspicious, your doctor or dentist may order additional diagnostic procedures, such as:

• Ultrasound.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Contact an Experienced Detroit Oral Cancer Lawyer 

While some patients are asymptomatic, many people suffer from complaints that can indicate oral or oropharyngeal cancer. If you or a loved one has experienced symptoms, you should speak with a medical professional or cancer specialist. If you have already talked with a dentist or doctor, you may assume you are in good hands. However, medical errors and misdiagnosis can occur. Medical professionals may not perform appropriate testing on individuals they do not believe are at risk, or they may not know the most up-to-date information about the link between HPV-16 and oral cancers. Early detection of these cancers significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. Delays in diagnosing oral and oropharyngeal cancers can lead to serious complications or even death.

If you are unsure about your medical provider’s feedback or treatment you or a family member received, you should get a second opinion. You should also contact the experienced lawyers at Sommer Schwartz, P.C. We will evaluate your medical records, office visits, diagnosis, misdiagnosis, treatment plans, or lack of treatment plans and determine whether you may have a case.

No one should feel uneasy after seeing a licensed doctor or surgeon. Oral cancer is a serious condition and needs proper analysis, thorough tests, and careful pain management. Contact us today at 800-783-0989 to discuss your case. Your future is our fight.