Thursday, August 19, 2010

Study: Increase in image-guided biopsies

According to a recent study published in medical journal Radiology, the majority of biopsies are now being done in a less invasive way, using imaging to direct the needle.


Researchers led by Dr. Sharon W. Kwan, a resident in radiology at the University of California in San Francisco, found that between 1997 and 2008, image-guided biopsies went from 59 percent of all biopsies to 67 percent. Biopsies, which involve removing tissue or fluid for testing, are more accurate when the needle is guided by imaging such as CT scans, ultrasound and MRI.


The frequency of biopsies to screen for disease has been increasing annually, with improving technology such as image guidance making them more and more accurate. A biopsy can help detect cancer in its earliest stages, allowing patients to start receiving treatment sooner and improving the chances of survival for most types of cancer.


The failure to diagnose cancer is one of the leading causes of medical malpractice lawsuits. If you or a loved one has been the victim of undiagnosed or misdiagnosed cancer, please contact the cancer malpractice lawyers at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. for more information and to schedule a free case consultation. We have helped clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Long Island cancer malpractice and other New York cancer malpractice cases.


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