Lip Lesion Leads to Cancer Metastasis and Death

Verdict: Not Guilty

Date: December 2010

County: Cook

PLTF Experts: Dr. Barry L. Wenig (Otolaryngologist/ENT) and Dr. Wayne Marley (Dermatologist)

DEF Experts: Dr, Jonathan Goldfarb (Dermatologist)

Summary: Plaintiff presented to Defendant’s, Dr. Glazer, office for evaluation on sore on his right lower lip. Dr. Glazer obtained a biopsy and asked Dr. David Fretzin (dermatopathologist) to rule out squamous cell carcinoma. Dr. Fretzin was not able to make a specific diagnosis and he recommended that the entire lesion be excised. Dr. Glazer decided to monitor the lesion. The sore healed only to reappear 6 months later. Another biopsy was performed that showed no signs of cancer. Plaintiff continued to have problems and a third biopsy revealed the presence of squamous cell carcinoma. Plaintiff was diagnosed with metastatic spread of the cancer. Plaintiff died 4 years after the 1st sore appeared on his lip. Plaintiff’s experts contended that Dr. Glazer was negligent for failing to diagnose Plaintiff’s lesion as pre-cancerous and not performing a total excision. Defense asserted that Dr. Glazer’s treatment was reasonable as there was no evidence of pre-cancerous or cancerous cells.

Category: Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death