Types of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer can progress silently, disguising itself as an ordinary mole, blemish, or patch of irritated skin until critical time has been lost. The various types of skin cancer differ widely in appearance, aggressiveness, and potential to spread, yet all demand careful medical evaluation and timely intervention. When physicians fail to recognize suspicious lesions, delay biopsy, or misinterpret pathology results, patients may lose the opportunity for early, curative treatment. The consequences of errors involving the types of skin cancer can be profound, ranging from permanent disfigurement to metastatic disease and premature death. If you sustained losses due to the misdiagnosis or mismanagement of skin cancer, you should speak with an attorney about whether you may be able to pursue medical malpractice claims against your provider. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Cancer Lawyers, our experienced Syracuse cancer malpractice attorneys represent individuals whose lives have been altered by failures in skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, and if you hire us, we will help you seek the justice you deserve. We represent injured parties in Syracuse, Rochester, and Upstate New York.

The types of skin cancer most commonly encountered in clinical practice include melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is often slow-growing but can invade surrounding tissues and cause significant cosmetic and functional damage if left untreated. Squamous cell carcinoma is generally more aggressive and carries a higher risk of spreading to lymph nodes and deeper structures if diagnosis is delayed. Melanoma is the most dangerous of the types of skin cancer because it can metastasize rapidly to vital organs, even when the primary lesion appears small or unremarkable.

When healthcare providers fail to properly evaluate evolving skin lesions, the harm can be severe and irreversible. A missed or delayed diagnosis may allow cancer to advance from a localized condition to an invasive or metastatic disease requiring extensive surgery, systemic therapy, or radiation. Patients may suffer chronic pain, loss of function, permanent scarring, or diminished survival prospects. In melanoma cases, even a short delay can dramatically worsen prognosis.

Patients harmed by negligent care involving the types of skin cancer have the right to pursue medical malpractice claims against the parties responsible. In order to establish the defendant’s fault, a plaintiff in a skin cancer malpractice case usually must prove the defendant’s negligence.

To succeed on a negligence claim, a plaintiff has to prove the defendant owed them a duty. A duty of care arises once a physician–patient relationship is established, and requires the provider to exercise the level of skill and care that a reasonably competent medical professional would provide under similar circumstances. For dermatologists, primary care physicians, and other providers, this includes conducting appropriate skin examinations, ordering biopsies when indicated, accurately interpreting pathology findings, and ensuring proper follow-up.

The plaintiff also must show that the defendant breached the duty owed by failing to meet the accepted standard of care. In skin cancer cases, breaches may include dismissing concerning lesions without adequate investigation, delaying biopsy, misreading pathology reports, failing to communicate results, or neglecting to refer the patient to a specialist. Because decisions involving cancer diagnosis and management involve complex medical judgment, expert testimony is almost always required. Medical experts can explain how competent providers evaluate suspected skin cancer and how the defendant’s actions deviated from accepted practice.

Lastly, the plaintiff has to establish causation and damages. In other words, they must show that the defendant’s breach was a substantial factor in causing the patient’s injury. In cases involving the types of skin cancer, this often means demonstrating that earlier diagnosis or treatment would have prevented disease progression, reduced the need for aggressive treatment, or improved survival outcomes. Experts may testify that the cancer advanced to a more dangerous stage because of diagnostic delay, directly resulting in worsened prognosis or additional suffering.

A plaintiff who proves a defendant’s fault may be able to recover damages for economic losses such as medical bills, surgical costs, oncology treatments, future care needs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Non-economic damages may also be awarded for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

The types of skin cancer require vigilance, clinical judgment, and timely medical action, and patients should not suffer life-altering consequences because warning signs were overlooked. If you or a loved one suffered serious harm due to a delayed or missed skin cancer diagnosis, it is critical to speak to an attorney about your possible claims. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Cancer Lawyers, our experienced Syracuse cancer malpractice attorneys can advise you of your rights and aid you in pursuing any recoverable damages. Our main office is in Syracuse, and we advocate for people injured by careless healthcare providers throughout Syracuse, Rochester, and Upstate New York. You can contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation through our online form or by calling 833-200-2000.