Fallopian Tube Cancer and Disability Benefits: What You Need to Know
Fallopian tube cancer is an abnormal spread of malignant cells in one or both of your fallopian tubes. The primary version of this cancer is rare, accounting for approximately 1% of all gynecologic cancers.
Most cancers of this type are papillary serous adenocarcinomas, which are produced from abnormal cells in the fallopian tubes. When they invade other parts of your body, tumors can form. In some rare instances, tumors can originate in smooth muscle in the tubes.
Signs and symptoms of fallopian tube cancer include:
- Internal bleeding
- A pelvic mass or lump
- Abdominal pain caused by trapped fluid distending the fallopian tube
Even during treatment, fallopian tube cancer can leave you so exhausted and in pain that you can no longer work. The interrupted cash flow will create additional stress, especially if job loss also causes you to lose your health insurance coverage. Fortunately, Social Security Administration (SSA) provides either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits that can provide you with monthly payments to help make ends meet while you undergo cancer therapy.
Medically Qualifying Fallopian Tube Cancer
Fallopian tube cancer has a listing in the Blue Book, a list of impairments that the SSA uses as part of the disability determination process. Under Listing 13.23: Cancer- Cancers of the female genital tract, you are eligible for disability benefits if you have a diagnosis of fallopian tube cancer and the following conditions apply:
- The cancer has extended to the serosa (a type of tissue) or beyond
- Persistent or recurrent following initial anticancer treatment
When you apply for disability benefits, your doctor must submit medical documentation that provides the following information:
- A positive diagnosis for cancer
- The extent of its involvement
- Any post-treatment residual effects
- CT scans
- Frequency, duration, and response to anti-cancer treatments
- Pathology report of biopsy of surgical specimen
- Operative notes
- Cell histology showing small-cell cancer of the female genital tract
You will also need your doctor’s assistance in filling out and submitting the residual functional capacity form (RFC), which helps the SSA rate your functional capacity after taking the your physical disability into account.
A diagnosis of fallopian tube cancer can qualify you for the SSA’s Compassionate Allowances Program, which will expedite consideration of your claim and possibly result in faster delivery of your benefits.
Should your symptoms of fallopian tube cancer fail to meet a Blue Book listing, you may still be eligible for disability benefits under a medical vocational allowance system, especially if your condition leaves you too incapacitated to work.
Getting Help with Your Fallopian Tube Cancer Claim
Applying for Social Security disability benefits is a complicated undertaking, and many applications end up being denied because the proper protocol was not observed or the necessary paperwork was missing / incorrect. The average application also takes up to five months, so you can’t afford to make mistakes where your disability benefits are concerned.
A Social Security disability attorney will take the challenge and frustration out of the application process and ensure that everything is filed correctly and on time. They will also represent you if you are denied the first time around and an appeal needs to be filed. Having an attorney advocate for you is your best chance at receiving the benefits you need when you need them.
