Husbands lung cancer NOT diagnosed for over 2 years, former smoker, complained of back pain.

A 2 year delay in making a diagnosis of cancer  deprives that person of his or her best chance of long term survival.  When that person has a history of smoking, the risk of lung cancer is increased and therefore raises a doctor's duty to consider the possibilies. Back pain is a very general symptom and can be attributed to many things but a doctor learns in medical school to create a "differential diagnosis" which is simply making a list of possible causes for the sign or symptom and then ruling in or ruling out the most serious and life threatening possibilities first.  There are many possibilities suggested in this minimal fact patter you've provided. if you'd provide more specifics, such as what other complaintis were made, to whom complaints were made, what tests were done, and the stage of the cancer when diagnosed, this would help with understanding the possible issues. Charles Rock Law Offices of Charles N. Rock, PLLC (845) 566-9200