Most women experience ovarian cysts at some point in their lives. Usually benign, these fluid-filled sacs usually dissolve on their own without causing any noticeable symptoms or health issues. But in some cases, these cysts can become problematic, leading to pain, discomfort, cancer, and other complications. Sadly, misdiagnosis of ovarian cyst is not unheard of and can have serious consequences on a person’s health and well-being.
What happens if an ovarian cyst is left untreated? Learn more about untreated ovarian cysts, ovarian remnant syndrome, and when to call the medical malpractice lawyers at Poulos & Cavazos for help.
Key Points
Misdiagnosis of Ovarian Remnant Syndrome at a Glance
A misdiagnosis of ovarian remnant syndrome often means months or years of pelvic pain that is treated as something else entirely. Here is what patients in New Mexico should understand before deciding what to do next.
- The condition starts with tissue left behind. Ovarian remnant syndrome occurs when functioning ovarian tissue remains after surgery to remove one or both ovaries, and that tissue can continue to grow, form cysts, or bleed.
- The symptoms are easy to attribute to something else. Persistent pelvic pain after an oophorectomy is frequently assigned another cause, which is how a misdiagnosis of ovarian remnant syndrome delays the correct treatment.
- Untreated remnant tissue can spread the problem. Remnants may re-implant elsewhere in the abdominal cavity, including near the bladder, bowel, and ureters, and correcting the condition usually requires another operation.
- A claim turns on four elements, not on a bad outcome alone. New Mexico law requires proof of a duty of care, a breach of that duty, injury caused by the breach, and resulting damages.
The original operative report and pathology records are often the most important documents in these cases. A New Mexico medical malpractice attorney can review them with you at no cost.
100% Free ConsultationWhat Are Ovarian Cysts?
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on an individual’s ovaries. In most cases, they are harmless and go away without treatment. However, some cysts can lead to complications. They are often categorized into four types.
- Functional cysts. These are the most common type and form during an individual’s menstrual cycle. These cysts typically go away on their own.
- Dermoid cysts. These cysts contain tissue such as hair or skin and are generally benign. Also called a teratoma, they are formed from reproductive cells that make eggs in the ovary. While they can be painful, these cysts are rarely more serious.
- Endometriomas. These cysts develop as a result of endometriosis, an often painful condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
- Cystadenoma. This type of cyst develops from cells on the surface of an ovary and is often filled with a watery or mucous fluid. Cystadenoma can grow large, moving an individual’s ovary and causing great pain.
Although many ovarian cysts don’t cause lasting damage, this is not always the case, and the outcome can be devastating. They are generally diagnosed by performing a pelvic exam.
Then, a doctor might use an ultrasound to determine the cyst’s type, shape, and size, followed by bloodwork to see if the cyst is cancerous. In cases of a misdiagnosis of ovarian cyst, the treatment plan may change. Treatments include observation, hormone treatment, and even surgery to remove the cyst or cysts.
What Happens If Ovarian Remnant Syndrome Is Left Untreated?
Ovarian remnant syndrome poses serious health risks. The remaining ovarian tissue has the potential to grow, leading to the formation of cysts or hemorrhage, which can cause significant pain and discomfort. These remnants can re-implant themselves in various parts of the abdominal cavity, including the bladder, bowel, and ureters. This further complicates the condition and may require medical intervention. In cases of misdiagnosis of ovarian cyst, it can delay proper treatment.
So, can ovarian cysts be left untreated? In some cases, a physician may not recommend treating a cyst.
This is usually the case when the cyst is benign and expected to disappear after a few weeks or months. But if the patient’s case is more serious, diagnosing the ovarian cyst and starting the right treatment can make all the difference.
Like many other medical conditions, misdiagnosed cysts can lead to severe consequences for patients. This can include delaying life-saving surgical intervention and treatment for cancer or forcing a patient into undergoing treatments or procedures they don’t need.
Can I Sue for Ovarian Remnant Syndrome If Misdiagnosed?
Yes, you can sue for ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) if medical negligence caused your condition or complications. This may include a surgeon failing to remove all ovarian tissue, delaying diagnosis, or not informing you of the risks. To succeed in an ORS malpractice lawsuit, you must prove negligence, causation, and damages such as pain, infertility, or medical expenses.
If left untreated, this can cause significant pain and lead to cancer. The condition often requires surgery to remove the residual tissue.
Ready For Your No-Charge Consultation?
Can I Sue for Ovarian Remnant Syndrome?
Yes, you can sue for ovarian remnant syndrome. This condition happens when ovarian tissue is left behind after surgery to remove one or both ovaries. If a doctor fails to properly diagnose this syndrome, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.
When to Consider a Medical Malpractice Claim
If you think that your ovarian cysts were misdiagnosed and you suffered undue harm as a result, seeking legal assistance might be necessary. You might need to contact a medical malpractice attorney in New Mexico if you have suffered:
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment. If your cysts were not diagnosed and properly treated promptly, they may result in complications that could have been prevented with the right intervention.
- Improper or incorrect treatment. If your ovarian cyst is not diagnosed or misdiagnosed, you may be subjected to unnecessary medical procedures, surgeries, or medications.
This is especially dangerous when a misdiagnosis leads to a condition like ovarian cancer, which is dangerous and deadly.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2023, around 19,710 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Sadly, around 13,270 of them will die.
When medical professionals fail to meet the expected standard of care in diagnosing, including the misdiagnosis of ovarian cyst, they can harm a patient’s health. This can lead to worsened outcomes if the condition is not properly treated. In these situations, you may consider filing a legal claim against the doctor or organization they work for.
Medical Malpractice in New Mexico
Medical malpractice claims in New Mexico fall under the state’s Medical Malpractice Act. To bring a claim under the act, a plaintiff must show that the provider’s negligence caused the harm. The elements of a medical malpractice claim in New Mexico are:
- The healthcare provider owed the patient a duty of care;
- The provider breached this duty;
- The patient suffered direct injury or harm from the breach; and
- The patient sustained damages as a result of the breach.
If these are met, a plaintiff may recover damages for past and future medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. No matter what, it is important to seek the advice of a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
Medical malpractice cases often require significant evidence and sometimes expert testimony to prove your claim. A New Mexico medical malpractice attorney can tell you what evidence you need to gather and help you throughout the entire process.
Have You Suffered Due to an Untreated Ovarian Cyst or a Misdiagnosis of Ovarian Remnant Syndrome?
If you think a medical professional made a mistake in diagnosing an ovarian cyst or failed to diagnose ovarian remnant syndrome and you suffered harm as a result, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.
At Poulos & Cavazos, we focus solely on medical malpractice claims and work closely with licensed medical professionals to help evaluate your claim.
With more than seven decades of combined legal experience and over $300 million earned for our clients through settlements and jury verdicts, we are the team you want in your corner. For a free consultation, contact our office or fill out our online contact form to get started today.
Common Questions
Ovarian Remnant Syndrome and Malpractice: Questions Patients Ask
Patients who suspect a misdiagnosis of ovarian remnant syndrome usually arrive with the same handful of questions. These are the ones we hear most often.
What is a misdiagnosis of ovarian remnant syndrome?
It means a patient has functioning ovarian tissue left behind after an ovary removal surgery, but the resulting pain or complications are attributed to another cause. Because the patient is presumed to have no remaining ovarian tissue, the correct explanation is often not considered for a long time.
Can I sue for ovarian remnant syndrome in New Mexico?
You may be able to, if medical negligence caused the condition or made it worse. That can include a surgeon leaving ovarian tissue behind, a delayed or missed diagnosis afterward, or a failure to disclose known risks. Whether a specific case qualifies depends on the records and expert review.
Does leaving ovarian tissue behind automatically mean malpractice?
No. A poor outcome is not the same as negligence. Some ovary removal surgeries are genuinely difficult, and a recognized complication is not automatically a breach of the standard of care. The question is whether the care fell below what a reasonably competent surgeon would have provided.
What happens if ovarian remnant syndrome goes untreated?
Remaining ovarian tissue can keep growing, form cysts, or hemorrhage, causing ongoing pain. Remnants can also re-implant elsewhere in the abdominal cavity, including near the bladder, bowel, and ureters. Resolving the condition typically requires surgery to remove the residual tissue.
What do I have to prove in an ovarian remnant syndrome claim?
Four things: that the provider owed you a duty of care, that the duty was breached, that the breach directly injured you, and that you sustained damages. Medical malpractice claims of this kind almost always require expert testimony, plus the operative report and pathology records from the original surgery.
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim in New Mexico?
Claims against qualified healthcare providers generally must be filed within three years of the negligent act. Providers who do not qualify under the New Mexico Medical Malpractice Act may be subject to a discovery rule instead. Because remnant syndrome is often identified years later, confirm your deadline early.
This page is general information, not legal advice about your situation. A free consultation is the fastest way to find out whether you have a claim.
100% Free ConsultationWhere to find our Las Cruces office:
Victor Poulos, JD
For more than two decades, Victor Poulos has devoted his practice exclusively to representing patients and families harmed by medical negligence. He has handled complex medical malpractice cases involving hospitals, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare providers, and has taken hundreds of depositions of physicians, nurses, and hospital staff across nearly every medical specialty. Mr. Poulos has successfully tried high-stakes malpractice cases to verdict and is known for his meticulous case preparation and relentless advocacy on behalf of injured patients.
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