Misdiagnosis of Pancytopenia and Legal Issues

Pancytopenia is a medical term used to indicate a reduction in the various types of blood cells including red, white and blood platelets. Pancytopenia is also known as Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome because the condition usually results from decreased bone marrow production. Other causes of Pancytopenia include cancer, bone marrow diseases, autoimmune disorders, radiation exposure, toxins and infections.

Symptoms of Pancytopenia

Those who suffer from Pancytopenia may show the following symptoms:

• anemia
• weakness and fatigue
• pallor
• bleeding problems
• frequent infections
• easy bruising
• rapid heart rate
• shortness of breath
• headache
• excessive menstrual bleeding
• nose bleeds
• rectal bleeding

Proper Diagnosis Procedure

A general practitioner familiar with the above symptoms may refer the patient to a hematologist. The hematologist will request a blood test to diagnose a reduction in the blood cell count. Additionally, a biopsy of the blood marrow will be ordered to rule out other conditions such as leukemia, anemia or thrombocytopenia. Once other conditions are ruled out and Pancytopenia is confirmed, the condition can then be treated with medications and management. Once treatment begins, the blood count levels should rise again. However, in very serious cases, a bone marrow transplant may be necessary.

Because those suffering from Pancytopenia have a compromised immune system due to their low blood cell count, they are more susceptible to infection. Because of this vulnerability, a doctor may advise the sufferer to avoid environments where the person may be exposed to microbes.

If a diagnosis of Pancytopenia is delayed, if tests are misread, or if symptoms are missed, treatment may be delayed or never started as a result. The untreated condition may lead to more complications including frequent infections.

Misdiagnosis

Pancytopenia may also be mistaken for other conditions such as the bleeding disorder Von Willebrand's disease, which is a rare blood disorder where the blood does not coagulate properly. Drugs used for Von Willebrand's disease differ from those needed to treat Pancytopenia. If the condition is mistaken for Von Willebrand's disease, the doctor may subject the patient to a wrong course of treatment leading to unnecessary complications and expenses.

Talk to a Lawyer

If you have Pancytopenia that was misdiagnosed, or if you have another condition where treatment was delayed because you were wrongly diagnosed as having Pancytopenia (and you suffered harm because of the misdiagnosis), you may be able to recover damages for medical malpractice. Talk with a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case and your right to compensation.