Scientists have developed a new way to detect subtle breast cancer lesions, according to a new study funded by the European Union. The findings could improve the prognosis of breast cancer patients in Oklahoma and worldwide.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Luckily, doctors are getting better at detecting the disease in its earliest stages, and a patient’s chances of survival are relatively high. However, certain types of breast cancer lesions are notoriously difficult to diagnose. In response, researchers from the MAMMA project have created a new method for detecting complex tumors.
The project developed intelligent software that uses spatiotemporal descriptors to identify the shape and behavior of difficult lesions. This software is better at uncovering diagnostically challenging tumors than other techniques currently used to diagnose breast cancer. The researchers hope that the new system will help doctors diagnose more tumors and save lives. They also hope the technique will spare women from unnecessary biopsies and other invasive procedures. In the future, the technique could be modified to detect other types of cancers, including that of the prostate.
A doctor’s failure to diagnose breast cancer could lead to devastating consequences for a patient, including a worsened medical condition and even death. Victims of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis may have grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the responsible doctor. If the complaint is successful, a victim could be awarded a settlement that covers medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. If a patient dies as the result of a misdiagnosis, his or her family could collect damages by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent doctor.