Lung cancer misdiagnosis
I would like to thank you again for the speedy and sensitive way in which you have dealt with this matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending your firm to anyone in the future.
Pamela, Castleford
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK. Nine out of ten lung cancers are caused by smoking, but exposure to certain gases and chemicals account for the remaining 10%.
The current best estimate of the proportion of cancer deaths in Great Britain due to occupational exposures over the last few decades is 4%. (Statistic from the Health and Safety Executive.)
There are two main types of lung cancer - small cell lung cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
What is lung cancer?
Small cell lung cancer
About 20 out of every 100 lung cancers diagnosed are this type. Small cell lung cancer is so called because the cancer cells are small cells that are mostly filled with the nucleus (the control centre of cells). It is sometimes also called 'oat cell' cancer. This type of cancer is usually always caused by smoking. It is very rare for someone who has never smoked to develop it. Small cell lung cancer often spreads quite early on and so doctors often suggest treatment with chemotherapy rather than surgery.
Non-small cell lung cancer
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Large cell carcinoma
Squamous cell cancer is the commonest type of lung cancer. It develops from the cells that line the airways and you often find it near the centre of the lung in one of the main airways (the left or right bronchus). This type of cancer is often due to smoking. The incidence of squamous cell cancer is going down in the UK.
Adenocarcinoma also develops from the cells that line the airways. But it develops from a particular type of cell that produces mucus. You often find it in the outer regions of the lungs. The incidence of adenocarcinoma is increasing and it may soon become more common in the UK than squamous cell lung cancer.
Large cell lung cancer is called this because the cells look large and rounded when they are looked at under a microscope. This type of lung cancer tends to grow quite quickly.
Cancer that has spread to the lungs
Secondary cancer is cancer that has spread from somewhere else in the body. There are quite a few different cancers that can spread to the lungs, including breast cancer and bowel cancer.
Mesothelioma
Another rare type of cancer called mesothelioma affects the covering of the lung (the pleura). It is often caused by exposure to asbestos.
Marie's story - mesothelioma misdiagnosis
Marie, in her early forties, had been suffering from lung problems for a number of years. She had great difficulty breathing, and couldn't work because of this. She was also losing weight rapidly.
After various hospital visits Marie was sent for a lung biopsy. Doctors found no evidence of lung cancer, and Marie was told that she probably did not have lung cancer, but more samples were sent away for further testing.
Marie's condition continued to deteriorate after the operation.
At her next meeting with the consultant to discuss the test results, Marie was told she did have mesothelioma. She was told that it was not treatable and told she had only six months to live.
She underwent a course of radiotherapy. After this her condition deteriorated, and she was not able to do much. Her husband looked after her during this time.
Marie sadly died a few weeks later.
However, after a post-mortem had been carried out it showed that Marie did not have mesothelioma. It said she died of natural causes. No sign of any tumours were found.
The name in this case study has been changed to protect the identity of those involved.
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