Colon Cancer
Colon cancer is a very common cause of death in the United States. Many, if not all, colon cancers start out as a benign growth (called a polyp), which may exist for years before finally becoming cancerous. Even then, the cancer may exist for years before it invades the wall of the colon, and is often completely curable up until the point where it invades this wall.
Colon cancer is sometimes manifested by bleeding with bowel movements. Bleeding with bowel movements requires that cancer of the colon be ruled out. It is a tragic mistake for a bleeding to be attributed to hemorrhoids, even if they are present, since hemorrhoids do not rule out blood coming from higher in the colon. Hemorrhoids may coexist with, or even be caused by, colon cancer. Cancer of the colon may also result in an otherwise unexplained iron deficiency anemia. Non-specific signs of colon cancer include abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and any change in bowel habits.
Certain forms of colon cancer have a tendency to occur in families. For example, a child whose parent developed colon cancer at a young age may have a genetic tendency to develop colon cancer. This may be identifiable by genetic testing.
Here are some examples of medical malpractice in connection with colon cancer:
- Failing to screen for possibility of colon cancer – guidelines call for all individuals over the age of 50 to be screened for colon cancer. Screening may be accomplished by colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. It is believed that if all persons were screened for colon cancer, the death rate from colon cancer could be cut close to zero.
- Attributing symptoms to another condition, such as hemorrhoids, and neglecting to check for the presence of colon cancer.
- A middle-aged woman had been having intermittent episodes of diarrhea and constipation and bleeding with bowel movements for a couple of years. Her doctor had diagnosed her symptoms as due to hemorrhoids. All during this time, the doctor had claimed to have repeatedly suggested that his patient have a colonoscopy, although family members adamantly denied this. There was not a single entry in the medical records describing this recommendation. The doctor’s credibility was destroyed when he admitted at deposition that each time he failed to document a recommendation for a colonoscopy he did so knowing that his patient’s life was in danger, and that getting a colonoscopy was probably the single most important thing for the patient at the time.
- A middle-aged man was followed for two year for an anemia which was misdiagnosed as due to something else, but was, in fact, caused by iron deficiency, indicating chronic blood loss. Bleeding from colon cancer can take place gradually over months and years, and sometimes not enough bleeding occurs at one time for it to be noticeable. Over time, this can result in an “unexplained iron deficiency anemia, which almost always requires a colonoscopy or something similar.
- An older gentleman had a band of scar tissue inside his abdomen, from a previous operation, which was obstructing his colon. He was misdiagnosed as having a colon cancer, which resulted in radical surgery complicated by massive hemorrhage. The hemorrhage was managed appropriately, but could not be controlled and the man died from blood loss.
- A middle-aged woman was evaluated for rectal bleeding with a barium enema; an x-ray procedure for barium is put into the rectum and colon to outline abnormalities on an x-ray. The barium enema showed colon cancer, however, the radiologist reading the x-ray missed this finding. A long delay followed, and by the time the diagnosis was made, the woman’s prognosis had substantially worsened.
In consultation with medical specialists, the lawyers at the Sweeney Law Firm will determine whether or not colon cancer, under the circumstances, should have been diagnosed at an earlier stage, and whether any delay likely made a difference in the outcome or prognosis. If malpractice occurred, the Sweeney Law Frim may be able to recover money damages to compensate you and your family for pain and suffering, medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses or compensate your surviving family members for loss of life and other damages.
Call the Sweeney Law Firm at 260-420-3137 or toll free at 1-866-793-6339. Get answers to your questions. Learn your legal rights. There is no cost or obligation for us to evaluate your case.
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