Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer typically begins as polyps in the colon, and it is usually a slow growing type of cancer. It is the third most diagnosed cancer in the United States. The rate of this cancer is increasing, especially in individuals who are under 50.
Screening tests, such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, are tools that are typically used to detect this type of cancer. When these tests are performed properly in a timely manner and are interpreted properly, they are essential for the prevention of the development of this type of cancer.
Medical malpractice relating to colorectal cancer occurs in many ways.
Examples of these types of medical errors include:
- Failing to properly diagnose the symptoms of colorectal cancer includes abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, pelvic pain, blood in stool, rectal pain, weight loss, and fatigue
- Misdiagnosing a patient’s symptoms such as IBS, Crohn’s Disease, Colitis, or Hemorrhoids
- Failing to timely order tests such as sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scan, or fecal occult test
- Failing to properly interpret screening test results
- Failing to diagnose and/or remove pre-cancerous polyps
- Failing to inform the patient of positive biopsy/screening results
Unfortunately, even though colorectal cancer is a highly preventable and curable cancer, it can be too late by the time a correct diagnosis is made. Medical negligence has occurred if there is a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
OTHER COLON INJURIES
When a patient has a procedure such as a colonoscopy or any abdominal surgery, the colon is at risk for injury. Injury can occur during a procedure when a perforation is accidentally caused in the colon. This event is not necessarily malpractice but can depend on the way in which the perforation occurred and the location. More often the malpractice occurs when there is a failure to promptly diagnose a colon perforation and the person suffers further injury as a result of this failure.
Here at Lebson Tangredi PLLC, we have handled numerous colon cancer and colon injury cases, and our attorneys are ready to speak with you. An attorney will work with a medical expert to determine why and if there was a failure to diagnose and treat colon cancer and if there was medical malpractice in the causation or failure to diagnose a colon injury.
If the expert and your attorney believe that the medical providers’ treatment failed to meet the expected standard of care and caused you injury and harm, you might have a viable medical malpractice claim.