Parents say doctor failed to timely diagnose son's cancer

The parents of a minor have filed suit against the boy’s doctor, alleging the doctor failed to diagnose the boy's cancer.

Stacy Felt and Charles Felt filed suit July 1 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Steven Zenker, M.D. and Alton Multispecialists LTD.

According to the complaint, Dr. Zenker examined the plantiff's son, Jentzen Felt, at least 13 times and was repeatedly told Jentzen was suffering from a persistent fever. In addition, Jentzen’s parents requested Zenker examine swelling on Jentzen’s left buttock on numerous occasions, which he did, according to the complaint. However, it was not until Aug. 3, 2012, when Jentzen was brought to St. Louis Children’s Hospital that doctors diagnosed him with a slow-growing cancer, the suit states.

As a result of the delay in diagnosis and treatment of the germ cell tumor, Jentzen was required to undergo aggressive chemotherapy, the complaint says. Surgery could not be performed at that time because the tumor had grown so large as to intertwine with major arteries and nerves, the suit says.

Due to the intense chemotherapy treatments, Jentzen suffered substantial pain and suffering and endured hearing loss, his parents claim. He also risks future medical complications, according to the complaint.

The Felts blame Zenker for negligently failing to acknowledge and document the reports of a lump growing on Jentzen’s buttock, failing to document the need for a follow-up visit after Jentzen fell and reported low back pain, failing to observe the obvious mass forming above his buttocks and failing to fully investigate the mass, the suit states.

The Felts seek a judgment of more than $100,000, plus other relief the court deems just.

They are being represented by Charles W. Armbruster and Michael T. Blotevogel of Armbruster, Dripps, Winterscheidt and Blotevogel in Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 14-L-920.