40+ Years of Proven Experience
The experienced team of colon cancer misdiagnosis attorneys at Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm has been fighting for victims of medical malpractice in New York for more than four decades.
We've handled hundreds of colon and rectal cancer lawsuit settlements and malpractice claims involving failure to diagnose, delayed diagnosis, and misreading of test results. Our colon cancer malpractice lawyers are committed to holding negligent doctors and healthcare professionals accountable when they fail to meet the standard of care.
We've recovered millions in compensation for lost income, medical bills, and other setbacks suffered by our clients. When doctors' mistakes lead to delayed treatment, we fight aggressively to obtain justice.
What Is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the large intestine or colon. It typically develops from precancerous polyps that grow in the colon and can take 10–15 years to progress from clusters of cells to invasive cancer.
The disease starts when healthy cells in the colon begin to grow out of control and accumulate to form a tumor. As the tumor grows, it can spread to other parts of the body.
Colorectal cancer is most common in adults over 50, but it can occur at any age. According to the American Cancer Society, one in 26 women and one in 23 men are at risk of developing colon cancer.
Getting regular screenings through colonoscopies and other tests can help diagnose colon cancer in its treatable early stages.
How Colon Cancer Is Typically Diagnosed and Treated
Doctors diagnose colon cancer using a variety of tests and procedures, including:
- Colonoscopies: Allow doctors to look inside the colon and rectum for polyps or cancerous tumors; if suspicious areas are found, a biopsy can confirm the presence of cancer.
- CT Scans: Provide detailed images that can reveal tumors in the colon that may spread to other organs.
- MRIs: Use magnets and radio waves to produce internal images that can show colon tumors.
- Blood Tests: Check for tumor markers that may indicate colon cancer.
Once diagnosed, colon cancer is typically treated with one of the following methods:
- Surgery: Removes portions of the colon, along with any lymph nodes or additional tissue that may contain cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy: Helps kill any remaining cancer cells post-surgery.
- Radiation: Targets cancer cells with beams of energy to destroy them and reduce rates of recurrence.
Early-stage colon cancer has a very good prognosis when treated quickly. However, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis leads to worse outcomes.
Common Doctor Errors that Lead to Misdiagnosis
Healthcare professionals can make many mistakes that may result in missed or delayed colon cancer diagnosis. For example:
- Not performing routine screening tests like colonoscopies at recommended ages and intervals, which allows polyps and tumors to grow undetected.
- Misreading biopsy results or scans and not identifying cancerous growths that are present
- Dismissing telling symptoms like rectal bleeding, anemia, and change in bowel habits, such as hemorrhoids or other minor conditions.
- Failing to follow up on abnormal test results in a timely manner and order further diagnostic testing.
- Overlooking polyps and tumors by inadequately inspecting the colon during colonoscopies and other procedures.
- Neglecting to promptly inform patients of abnormal test findings and subsequent steps.
- Inaccurately assigning cancer stages, leading to improper treatment plans.
These sorts of medical errors and negligence can rob patients of the opportunity for early intervention, potentially lowering survival rates. They may also qualify as medical malpractice. Our attorneys work diligently to hold careless doctors accountable.
Get a Free Case Review If You Were Misdiagnosed
If you or a loved one have suffered harm due to a missed or delayed colon cancer diagnosis, contact Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Let our dedicated team help you pursue compensation.
Get a Free Case ReviewCommon Colon Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
Colon cancer can manifest with various symptoms, including:
- Rectal Bleeding or Blood in the Stool: One of the most common indications of colon cancer is bleeding from the rectum and/or bloody stools.
- Persistent Change in Bowel Habits: Ongoing diarrhea, constipation, or change in stool consistency could suggest the presence of colon or rectal cancer.
- Abdominal Pain or Discomfort: Cramping, bloating, excessive gas, or pelvic pain may also be symptoms.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Substantial, unintentional weight loss without changes in diet or exercise can point to colon cancer.
- Chronic Fatigue and Weakness: Fatigue related to colon cancer is often severe and persistent
- Anemia: Colon cancer bleeding can lead to low red blood cell counts, exacerbating feelings of weakness and fatigue.
Don't ignore these red flags. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms persistently, demand a colon cancer screening from your doctor immediately. Catching colon cancer early is critical for treatability and survival.
If it's too late and you've already been harmed by misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of this disease, reach out to our firm to seek justice in the form of compensation.
The Impact and Consequences of Colon Cancer Misdiagnoses
A missed, delayed, or erroneous colon cancer diagnosis can prevent patients from getting intervention while the disease is still in its early stages, greatly reducing survival outcomes in turn. If colon cancer spreads undetected, it can metastasize to distant organs like the liver and lungs.
Doctors may miss opportunities to remove precancerous polyps before they become malignant, and negligent misreading of biopsy results or scans can allow tumors to proliferate. Improper cancer staging can also lead to inadequate or improper treatment.
All of these medical errors can have severe consequences for colon cancer patients. Instead of dealing with a highly treatable stage 1 colon cancer, patients may face a much grimmer late-stage diagnosis with fewer options.
The physical, emotional, and financial devastation patients and families experience is immeasurable. If you or a loved one have faced this kind of medical malpractice, contact us today to secure capable legal representation.
Why You Should Contact Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys Right Away
If you believe you might have a valid colon cancer malpractice claim, it's vital that you contact an experienced colon cancer attorney immediately.
The veteran medical malpractice attorneys at Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Firm can assist you with the following steps:
- Investigating what went wrong and preserving vital evidence before it's lost.
- Understanding the complex legal, medical, and insurance aspects of your case.
- Evaluating your case at no upfront cost and informing you of your legal options.
- Aggressively pursuing maximum compensation through a lawsuit or settlement if retained.
Don't delay — strict statutes of limitations restrict the timeline to take legal action. Starting the process now will allow a skilled lawyer to begin building a winning case while the details are still fresh. This offers the best opportunity to obtain the justice and financial restitution you deserve.