A radiologist is facing a negligence lawsuit from the family of a 63-year-old woman who died of pancreatic cancer, after allegedly failing to detect early signs of the disease despite clear findings on a prior scan.

The woman, previously treated for endometrial cancer, underwent an MRI at the radiology centre in 2021.

According to her family, the doctor reviewing the scan reported normal results and saw no evidence of disease.

Two years later, in 2023, a follow-up MRI at the same centre led to a biopsy that revealed pancreatic cancer with metastases to the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity.

Despite treatment, she died in September 2024.

The family claims the 2021 MRI already showed abnormalities in the tail of the pancreas that should have been identified by the doctor.

“It is evident that, at the examination of 18/11/2021, the deceased already showed damage to the tail of the pancreas, which had not yet progressed to peritoneal disease, but which the doctor failed or omitted to recognise and record in the medical certificate issued,” the indictment states.

This, the family said, constituted a serious negligence and led to the 63-year-old not receiving timely treatment to prevent the spreading of the cancer.