Dr Ryan Cole: Idaho woman sues anti-vax doctor for unnecessary surgery after misdiagnosis of endometrial cancer
BOISE, IDAHO: A doctor in Idaho, known for his anti-vax views, is facing a lawsuit for allegedly misdiagnosing a woman with endometrial cancer. As a result of the misdiagnosis, the woman, who wishes to be identified only as JB to safeguard her medical confidentiality, had to undergo a painful surgery to remove her uterus and ovaries.
JB initially consulted her nurse practitioner for her concerns about bleeding, which was attributed to menstrual issues. According to the lawsuit, Dr Ryan Cole, who is a pathologist, reportedly diagnosed JB with an uncommon and aggressive type of cancer in July 2021. The biopsy was sent to a laboratory owned by Cole in the Boise region.
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JB underwent a painful surgery which turned out to be unnecessary
After receiving the cancer diagnosis from Cole, JB was referred to cancer specialists and gynecologic oncologists. On July 20, 2021, she consulted with a gynecologic oncologist from St Luke's Health System, Dr Perez, where he "discussed various treatment options with (JB) including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery." Consequently, JB underwent a traumatic surgical procedure that involved the removal of her reproductive organs and surrounding abdominal tissue. The surgeon removed her uterus, both ovaries and fallopian tubes, as well as tissue and lymph nodes in her abdomen.
However, after the surgery, three pathologists at the hospital reviewed the extracted tissue and found no traces of cancer. Upon re-examining the initial biopsy samples from Cole's laboratory, they again discovered that there was no evidence of cancer. This revelation meant that the surgery JB had undergone was entirely unnecessary and caused her needless suffering.
JB filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr Ryan Cole
JB filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Cole in Ada County on Wednesday, April 12. The lawsuit accuses Cole, who is a member of the anti-vaccine group 'America's Frontline Doctors', of negligence and other harmful actions, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.
Eric Rossman, a lawyer representing JB and her husband, said, "I can't even imagine receiving that kind of a diagnosis from someone, and then spending that period of time wondering — or knowing, or believing — that you had a very serious cancer. And then just to find out, after that radical, extensive procedure, that there's really no cancer whatsoever," as per Daily Mail.
JB and her husband are seeking damages and compensation amounting to more than $25,000 for each of the three charges brought against Cole. The lawsuit further alleges that despite JB's insurance covering a significant portion of the treatment expenses, she was left with high out-of-pocket costs.
