Unfortunately, the answer to the question is yes.  The failure to diagnose melanoma may significantly change a person’s chances of surviving this type of skin cancer and may be medical malpractice. Failure to diagnose melanoma is generally considered medical malpractice if a reasonable doctor would’ve diagnosed the cancer earlier, and the patient suffered as a result of the delayed diagnosis.
Statistics from the American Cancer Society indicate that patients with:

• Stage 1 melanoma have a 92% chance of surviving 5 years and an 86% chance of surviving 10 years.
• Stage 2 melanoma have a 53% chance of surviving 5 years and a 40% chance of surviving 10 years.
• Stage 3 melanoma have a 59% chance of surviving 5 years and a 43% chance of surviving 10 years.
• Stage 4 melanoma have a 20% chance of surviving 5 years and a 15% chance of surviving 10 years.

If you have suffered from the misdiagnosis of cancer in Atlanta, then it is important to contact an experienced Atlanta failure to diagnose attorney at 1.770.518.1133 for a free consultation. It is also important to learn more about your rights in a FREE book written by experienced Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers: Cancer: Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Errors.