Lawsuit Says Oregon Woman’s Brain Tumor Sample for Biopsy Lost

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An Oregon woman has sued a Portland hospital for $900,000, alleging that a brain tumor sample set aside for biopsy has been lost, leaving her uncertain about whether the tumor was cancerous.

Catherine Stewart is seeking $100,000 in economic damages for past and future brain scans and possible surgery and $800,000 for emotional distress. She’s accusing Oregon Health & Science University of medical negligence. A hospital spokeswoman declined comment about the lawsuit. Stewart’s lawyer says the sample was collected in September 2013 when surgeons removed a brain tumor. He says his 64-year-old client has undergone regular brain scans to determine if the tumor has grown back. So far it has not, but Wagner says Stewart worries that it might — and that it might be cancerous.