Medical negligence trial arising from an alleged delayed diagnosis of uterine leiomyosarcoma in a patient presenting with fibroids, prolonged heavy bleeding, and risk factors including age over 40 and nulliparity.
The court held that the gynecologist breached the standard of care by failing to perform an endometrial biopsy at the initial consultation and by maintaining inadequate clinical notes.
Applying the but for causation test, the court found that an earlier biopsy would likely have detected Stage I disease, leading to earlier hysterectomy and a substantially improved prognosis.
The court rejected the defence reliance on statistical literature as determinative and found both factual and legal causation established.
