Colon cancer affects the large intestine (or colon), which is situated in the lower portion of the digestive tract. It is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in men and women. Over 100,000 new cases of colon cancer are diagnosed each year, and most of these cancers begin as benign cell growths.

 

Early diagnosis and treatment is essential for an optimal outcome with any type of cancer, and this is no less true with regard to colon cancer. Unfortunately, colon cancer is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed cancers, and many patients suffer extreme, even deadly consequences when their cancer is misdiagnosed.

 

Types of Misdiagnoses

 

There are several types of misdiagnoses of colon cancer, and they include:

 

• Missed Diagnosis – This occurs when the physician fails to recognize the signs and symptoms of colon cancer, or fails to order the necessary screening tests, thereby failing to diagnose the patient
• Wrong Diagnosis – This may happen when a doctor confuses the symptoms of colon cancer with another condition or diagnoses colon cancer when no cancer is present
• Delayed Diagnosis – This may occur for any number of reasons; for instance, failure to identify symptoms of colon cancer, or diagnosing another condition and only later realizing the patient has cancer

 

When a misdiagnosis of colon cancer occurs, patients may not receive the treatment they need or they may be treated for a condition they don’t have. Either of these scenarios can dramatically reduce a patient’s survival rate and, in some cases, prove fatal.

 

Misdiagnosed Patients & Their Rights

 

Patients who have suffered a misdiagnosis of colon cancer may be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent party(s). By filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, patients who have been harmed may be able to recover money for losses such as:

 

• Hospital costs and other treatment expenses
• Mental anguish caused by the misdiagnosis
• Pain and suffering (for instance, for unnecessary treatment or delayed treatment)

 

Families who have lost a loved one due to a misdiagnosis of colon cancer may also be entitled to money for such things as funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other losses caused by their loved one’s death

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Talk to an Attorney at Burke & Eisner Today

 

All medical malpractice lawsuits are subject to a strict deadline known as a statute of limitation, which varies according to state. For this reason, it’s imperative that you speak with an attorney as soon as you think you have a case.

 

The attorneys of Burke & Eisner have handled medical malpractice cases across the country and helped clients obtain significant compensation for losses they’ve endured because of negligence. If you have questions about a possible case, contact one of our lawyers today. We offer free claim evaluations and we’ll be glad to answer your legal questions and inform you of your options.

 

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    --  Fill out the Contact Us form in the Upper Right part of this page.

    --  Use the Contact Us form located on the Instant Answer Page

    --  Call us:  1-800-838-0800

 

 See Also:

    *Medical Lawsuits
    * Medical Malpractice Statute Of Limitations

 

 

 

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