Prostate Cancer and PSA Testing for Men

Our Case *

In 1994, Mr. Rodriguez was 46 years old and had been receiving medical care from Dr. Smith for years. A specimen sent to the lab on November 1, 1994, by Dr. Smith, revealed an elevated Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) of 6.5 ng/ml (4.0 ng/ml is in the high end of the normal range). Mr. Rodriguez remained under the care of Dr. Smith until 1999. At no time in 1995, 1996 or 1997 did Dr. Smith obtain further studies on Mr. Rodriguez. In March 1998, a repeat PSA was finally ordered with a reported result of 26.1 ng/ml. Mr. Rodriguez again saw Dr. Smith in April 1999, at which time; the PSA results were over 30 ng/ml. Dr. Peters, a urologist, treated Mr. Rodriguez and discovered he had essentially incurable prostate cancer.

Mr. Rodriguez subsequently endured radiation and hormone therapy as a form of treatment. Unfortunately, Mr. Rodriguez then developed metastatic disease to the bone. Mr. Rodriguez is now a candidate for only palliative therapy. Two years prior to trial, Mr. Rodriguez had bleeding of the bladder and blood clots due to the radiation therapy. He also has had two additional admissions, one to the VA Hospital, and one to Temple Hospital. Mr. Rodriguez must now he take Hyperbaric treatments in hopes to restore new cells.

Why were Defendants Negligent?

Mr. Rodriguez was a 55 year old gentlemen that faces the certainty of an untimely and painful death from metastatic cancer. This result was due to Dr. Smith's failure to timely diagnose and treat Mr. Rodriguez's condition. While Mr. Rodriguez was under the care of Dr. Smith, testing revealed that Mr. Rodriguez had an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) of 6.5 ng/ml (normal is 0-4). A repeat PSA test was not obtained until 1998 even though Mr. Rodriguez continuously remained under the care of Dr. Smith. By the time that Mr. Rodriguez was referred to a urology group and obtained a biopsy, he was found to have Stage IV disease. The treatment of Mr. Rodriguez by Dr. Smith was a deviation from the standard of care that should have been exercised. As a result, Dr. Smith was negligent in the treatment of Mr. Rodriguez.

The Verdict

Mr. Rodriguez still suffers the effects of the delay in the diagnosis of his cancer on a daily basis. Mr. Rodriguez's daily life has been dramatically altered as a result of the injury because he is unable to enjoy the activities he enjoyed prior to the incident. The Lewis Law Firm were able to recover a large monetary award as a result of trial. The battle was far from easy but the reward Mr. Rodriguez received was well worth it. At the Law Offices of Gayle R. Lewis, we go to battle for you.

* Names have been changed where appropriate