What Happens When a Doctor Misses a Tumor on a CT or MRI Scan?

 Posted on April 29, 2026 in Medical Malpractice

Hearing that your CT or MRI scan came back all clear can be a major relief. However, when a doctor fails to catch a tumor and lets it go untreated, the consequences can be devastating. If you have suffered harm due to a missed tumor on a CT or MRI, you can take legal action against the doctor responsible. A Joliet, IL medical malpractice attorney can advise you of your rights and help you pursue all compensation available under state law.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we have earned millions of dollars for injured clients through our aggressive negotiation and litigation strategies. In one notable case, we secured a result of $2.7 million after our client’s breast cancer went undiagnosed for nine months by her physicians. Our highly experienced attorneys are ready to investigate your case in detail, and if necessary, we are willing to go to trial on your behalf.

How Can an Untreated Tumor Affect Your Health?

A CT or MRI scan can show signs of a tumor that cannot be seen during a basic exam. When a doctor, radiologist, or other medical provider misses that sign, the patient can lose valuable time. A tumor that might have been treated earlier can grow, spread, or become harder to remove.

The harm depends on the type of tumor, where it is located, and how long it goes untreated. A brain tumor, lung tumor, breast tumor, abdominal tumor, or spinal tumor can create very different symptoms. Still, the danger often comes from delay. A small mass might turn into a larger one, or a tumor can move into nearby tissue.

A missed tumor can also lead to more painful treatment. A patient who once needed a smaller surgery might later need a larger operation, radiation, chemotherapy, or long-term medication. The person may miss work, need help at home, or struggle with pain, fatigue, and fear.

Can an Illinois Doctor Be Held Liable for Failing To Identify or Treat a Tumor?

Medical malpractice cases usually focus on whether the provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care. In plain terms, the case centers around whether a reasonably careful provider in the same field would have found the tumor, ordered more testing, referred the patient, or taken some other step.

A failure to diagnose claim can involve many mistakes. A radiologist could misread a CT or MRI scan. A doctor might fail to follow up on a suspicious finding. A provider may tell the patient that everything looks normal when the scan showed a concern. A doctor might also fail to order another scan, biopsy, or specialist referral.

The patient must also connect the mistake to real harm. This can include monetary damages the patient suffered, as well as the physical agony or mental trauma he or she endured.

What Compensation Can You Get for an Untreated Tumor in 2026?

The compensation available in an untreated tumor case depends on how the delayed diagnosis changed the patient’s life. A medical malpractice claim in Illinois can seek compensation for losses such as: 

• Medical bills for testing, surgery, hospital care, medication, therapy, and follow-up appointments

• Lost wages if the patient could not work during treatment or recovery

• Loss of future earning ability if the patient cannot return to the same job

• Pain, suffering, stress, and loss of normal life

• Extra care needs, including help at home or changes to the patient’s living space

• Wrongful death damages if the missed tumor leads to the patient’s death

These cases are serious because the damage is not only financial. A delayed tumor diagnosis can change a family’s plans, routines, and sense of safety. A fair claim should look at the full picture, including future treatment, the patient’s long-term outlook, and the ways the delay affected daily life.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Failure To Diagnose Claim in Illinois?

Illinois has strict time limits for medical malpractice cases. In many cases, a patient has two years from the date he or she knew, or reasonably should have known, about the injury and that it may have been wrongfully caused. Illinois also has a four-year outside limit in many cases, measured from the act or omission that caused the injury (735 ILCS 5/13-212).

This can be confusing in a missed tumor case. The patient might not learn about the tumor until months or years after the scan. The key issue may be when the patient had enough information to know that the delay caused harm. The clock might not start on the exact day of the scan, but waiting too long can still put the claim at risk.

Special rules can apply to minors and certain other situations. Our lawyers can review the scan dates, medical records, diagnosis date, and treatment timeline to determine which deadline may apply.

What You Should Know Before Accepting a Settlement for Medical Malpractice in Illinois

A settlement can bring relief, but it is also a serious legal decision. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you generally cannot go back later and ask for more money. That can be a major problem if you do not yet know the full cost of future treatment, lost income, or long-term care.

Before accepting any offer, you should understand what the settlement covers. The offer should be compared to your medical records, likely future care, work losses, pain, and the effect on your daily life. Insurance companies and defense lawyers may argue that the tumor was hard to see or that the delay did not change the outcome.

A trial might be necessary if the other side refuses to make a fair offer or denies responsibility. Medical malpractice lawsuits in Illinois also have filing requirements. In general, a complaint must include an affidavit of merit showing that the case has been reviewed by a qualified health professional and has support under Illinois law. This requirement can affect how the case is prepared and when it can be filed.

Contact Our Will County, IL Medical Malpractice Attorneys Today

A missed tumor on a CT or MRI scan can leave you with painful questions. You may wonder why the finding was missed, if earlier care would have changed your treatment, and how your family will manage the cost of what comes next.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we can help you pursue payment for any losses you suffered as a result of a doctor’s negligence or failure to intervene. Call 708-888-2160 to contact our Joliet, IL medical misdiagnosis lawyers and schedule a free consultation.