Breast cancer malpractice litigation in New York State.

PURPOSE: To identify causes of purported malpractice in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The authors reviewed cases from The New York Jury Verdict Reporter listed between 1985 and 1991 to look for those in which there was alleged delay in diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer.

RESULTS

Of 34 cases identified, 32 (94%) were based on presumed delay in diagnosis and only two (6%) on claims of therapeutic malpractice. Delay in diagnosis was commonly claimed in patients younger than 50 years (76%). Palpable masses were present in 94% of these cases. Either mammograms were not obtained (16 cases, 50%) or findings were interpreted as normal or as fibrocystic disease (12 cases, 38%). Specialists most frequently cited were gynecologists (16 of 39,41%). Highest awards (> or = $1 million) were more commonly given to patients younger than 50 years with proved distant or nodal metastasis (six of 34, 18%).

CONCLUSION

Emphasis on early diagnosis has led to the perception that purported delay in diagnosis, however short, even in the presence of a palpable mass, changes the chances for survival.