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Every year, thousands of colon cancer cases go undiagnosed until it’s too late. Understanding the warning signs doctors commonly miss can be life-saving. Here are the symptoms that should trigger immediate testing and why they’re often overlooked.
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Colon cancer (also known as bowel cancer or colorectal cancer) is one of the most treatable cancers when caught early. According to the National Cancer Institute, the five-year survival rate for localized colon cancer is over 90%. But if cancer spreads to distant organs before diagnosis, survival drops to around 13%. That gap illustrates how devastating a misdiagnosis can be.
A misdiagnosis doesn’t just mean a missed diagnosis. It may also involve:
A doctor dismissing symptoms as minor gastrointestinal issues
A pathologist misinterpreting biopsy results
A radiologist failing to detect abnormalities from imaging
A delay in follow-up after a positive screening
A diagnosis of a different disease (such as irritable bowel syndrome) instead of cancer
These mistakes may happen in various medical settings, including primary care offices, hospitals, GI clinics, or emergency rooms. Unfortunately, if a provider overlooks clear warning signs or fails to act on abnormal results, the patient may not receive treatment until the cancer has progressed significantly.
Misdiagnosis and a failure to diagnose are two different types of medical error. A failure to diagnose happens when a doctor misses the cancer entirely, despite the presence of warning signs they should have noticed. A misdiagnosis happens when a provider diagnoses a different condition altogether or incorrectly interprets test results.
For example:
A patient complains of blood in the stool and abdominal pain. The doctor says it’s hemorrhoids without ordering a colonoscopy. This could be a misdiagnosis.
A provider reviews a colonoscopy but misses the presence of a tumor. That could be a failure to diagnose.
In either case, the doctor or facility may be liable for medical malpractice if the patient’s condition worsens and the delay reduces their chances of recovery.
Colon cancer may not cause symptoms right away. But when it does, doctors should recognize warning signs and act accordingly. Common symptoms that should prompt further investigation include:
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
Unexplained weight loss
Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of stool)
Anemia or low iron levels without explanation
Fatigue
When patients present with these signs (especially if they are over age 45 or have a family history), doctors should order follow-up testing such as a colonoscopy, blood work, or imaging. Dismissing these signs or blaming them on less serious conditions can lead to costly delays.
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This vigilance is particularly important given that colorectal cancer is now the No. 1 cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the No. 2 cause of cancer death in women in that age group, with millennials born between 1981-1996 facing twice the risk of colorectal cancer compared to people born in 1950. This alarming trend, with colon and rectal cancer on the rise in young adults, prompted the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force to lower the recommended screening age from 50 to 45 in 2021.
A colon cancer misdiagnosis can turn a treatable condition into a medical crisis. Patients may go months or years without receiving the treatment they need. As the cancer grows and spreads, it may reach the lymph nodes, liver, or lungs, reducing the effectiveness of surgery and other treatments.
Consequences of a delayed or incorrect colon cancer diagnosis may include:
More invasive procedures, such as bowel resection or colostomy
Need for aggressive chemotherapy or radiation
Increased risk of metastasis
Permanent disability
Emotional distress and loss of quality of life
Wrongful death
Patients may also experience psychological trauma. Learning you had cancer for a long time without receiving treatment can be very difficult to cope with.
Liability in a medical malpractice case often depends on which provider made the error (and how that error fell short of accepted medical standards). Various parties may be involved in a colon cancer misdiagnosis:
Primary care physicians who fail to refer for testing
Gastroenterologists who misinterpret colonoscopy results
Pathologists who read tissue samples incorrectly
Radiologists who overlook signs of tumors
Nurses or staff who delay communication of test results
Hospitals or clinics that lack proper protocols
In Washington, DC, medical professionals must provide care that meets the standard of what a reasonably competent provider would provide under similar circumstances. A doctor may be held legally and financially responsible if a patient is harmed because their actions (or inaction) represent a failure to uphold the proper standard of care.
You may be eligible to receive various damages if you were the victim of a misdiagnosis. These damages may include:
Medical costs, including surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and ongoing treatment
Lost income and reduced future earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional distress
Wrongful death damages for families who lost a loved one
Washington, DC, does not impose a cap on damages in medical malpractice cases. This means your lawyer can seek the full value of your losses without limits on pain and suffering awards. However, you must file your lawsuit by the deadline. DC generally gives patients three years from the date the misdiagnosis occurred—or from when they discovered it—to file a claim. That’s why it’s important to speak with a qualified attorney as soon as you suspect something went wrong.
At Regan Zambri Long, we have a long history of standing up for patients harmed by medical negligence. Our Washington, D.C. firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients, including people who were misdiagnosed or mistreated by the healthcare system.
We understand that colon cancer misdiagnosis cases are especially painful. The harm is not just physical, it’s personal. Our attorneys listen, gather the facts, and build a strong case based on expert medical testimony. We collaborate with top oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists to thoroughly understand what went wrong and its impact on your health.
Our results include:
A $15 million medical malpractice settlement involving failure to perform a pregnancy test on a patient before admitting her for surgery
An $8 million settlement in a case involving surgical and anesthesia error
A $3.65 million settlement for failure to diagnose a child’s brain tumor
If you’re looking for the best medical law firm that takes your case seriously and treats you with respect, Regan Zambri Long is here to help.
We listen closely and carefully when someone reaches out to us for help. When you call our office, you can expect:
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A free, confidential consultation
A clear explanation of your rights and options
No upfront costs or legal fees unless we win your case
Straight answers and honest advice
Our goal is to ease your burden—not add to it. We’ll guide you through the legal process step by step and fight for the results you deserve.
Do you believe your colon cancer was misdiagnosed or discovered too late? Contact a trusted DC colon cancer misdiagnosis lawyer at Regan Zambri Long if so. You may be entitled to financial recovery for the harm you’ve suffered. More importantly, your case can help prevent the same mistake from happening to someone else.
We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to get started with a free review of your case.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.