What a oncology review usually focuses on

Cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment delay. A case review should reconstruct the sequence of diagnosis and staging, pathology, treatment planning, dose/regimen, and monitoring and progression from the records available at each decision point.

Five decision points to map

  • 1. Diagnosis and staging
  • 2. Pathology
  • 3. Treatment planning
  • 4. Dose/regimen
  • 5. Monitoring and progression

Records that can answer those questions

  • Oncology consultation, procedure, or encounter notes
  • Orders and test results used to make the clinical decision
  • Medication, monitoring, procedure, or nursing records tied to the event
  • Communication with the patient and other specialties
  • Later treatment showing the complication, corrected diagnosis, or outcome

Expert and causation questions

  • What training and specialty should the reviewing oncology expert have under state law?
  • Which of the key decision points in cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment delay is actually being challenged?
  • What information was available at that time, not only in hindsight?
  • What part of the later harm is attributable to the underlying illness or known risk?
  • Would a different medical decision probably have changed treatment or outcome?

Related specialties

Orthopedics Malpractice GuideOrthopedics malpractice questions often require specialty-specific records and expert review.Pathology Malpractice GuidePathology malpractice questions often require specialty-specific records and expert review.Pediatrics Malpractice GuidePediatrics malpractice questions often require specialty-specific records and expert review.Pharmacy Malpractice GuidePharmacy malpractice questions often require specialty-specific records and expert review.

Use licensing, records, and medical-information sources appropriate to the specialty.