Treatment errors involving diagnosis of and therapy for prostate carcinoma

Purpose: In patients with prostate carcinoma diagnosis and therapy often present problems that are difficult to solve. Perfect results can only be reached by the highest level of professional expertise and required care. In cases of unwanted results and incidences it is asked whether claims of patients against their doctors are justified or not. Methods: Claims of patients were reviewed by the commission of experts for medical mistakes of treatment of the state medical board of North Rhine based on objective criteria, out of court and free of charge. Results: From 1975 to 1998 only 4 treatment errors were ascertained in patients with prostate carcinoma, 3 concerning the diagnosis and 1 concerning an operation. From 1999 to 2005 the errors of treatment increased by 61/2-fold to 26. Mistakes concerned the diagnosis in 18 cases, the indication for operation in 1, the operative technique in 2 and the postoperative care in 5 cases. Conclusions: In comparison with the about 50,000 patients in whom a prostate carcinoma is diagnosed and treated in Germany every year the presented cases seem to be singular incidences. However, in the view of the experts, these are the tips of icebergs, since reviews most often are requested when professional disappointment and loss of confidence come together. This can only be avoided when the professionality and carefulness of the doctors is apparent and combined with their sympathy for their patients.