Legal Question in Medical Malpractice in New Jersey

medical condition not diagnosed or treated

Eight years ago, I developed breast cancer . I underwent a double mastectomy , and also had lymph nodes removed from my left side. This was followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. After the surgery , my left arm swelled and it never went down again. I have been seeing an oncolgist regularly ever since then. I asked her on many occasions why the arm was swollen and basically was told not to worry about it. Up until about 9 months ago , I didn't know this condition was called lyphedema , and that it is serious and can be life-threatening if you develop cellulitis. Cellulitis can occur if the lympedema is not properly treated. I ony found this out after I did develop cellulitis. I wrote the oncologist a letter asking why I was not told about lymphedema , or offered a treatment for it. She wrote back to me saying that I only had a trace of lymphedema and that it did not need treatment. She was obviously wrong as I now have to wear a sleeve continually , as well as have therapy every few weeks. Had this been treated eight years ago , it would not nearly have been as serious. If the oncologist had accurate knowledge of this condition , she could have had me start treatment immediately. Do I have any legal recourse?

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