Rectal Cancer Left Untreated can Lead to a Terrible Ending for the Patient

About Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer arises in the cells lining the rectum, which is the last section of the large intestine. It often groups with colon cancer and occurs in the form of colorectal cancer. It usually begins in the form of precancerous polyps and develops into rectal cancer in the cells that line the inside of the rectum.

Screening tests can discover colorectal cancer in its early stages, or sometimes even before its development. Once diagnosed, chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatment methods can be undertaken to manage the condition.

However, if rectal cancer goes undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or untreated, it can give rise to several serious complications and eradicate the chances of recovery.

Symptoms of Rectal Cancer

Physicians may diagnose colorectal cancer based on a certain set of common symptoms such as:

· Sudden change in bowel habits

· Diarrhea

· Constipation

· Change in consistency of stool

· Rectal bleeding

· Fatigue and weakness

· Feeling of inability to completely empty the bowel

· Unexplained loss of weight

In several cases, colorectal cancer may not exhibit any symptoms during its early stages. Symptoms often appear at an advanced stage of the cancer, diminishing the success rate of treatment and surgeries. Depending upon the location and size of the cancer in the large intestine, surgeries may have an added risk pertaining to further complications and severities.

Diagnosing Rectal Cancer

If your physician suspects rectal or colorectal cancer, he or she may require you to undergo any of the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:

· Endorectal ultrasound

An ultra sound of the rectum can help the doctor estimate the depth and extent of the cancer into the walls of the rectum and the large intestine.

· Imaging tests

Imaging tests such as MRI, CT-scan, PET scan, or an x-ray may help reveal the expanse across which the cancer has spread around the rectum.

· Proctosigmoidoscopy

A long thin tube attached to a camera is inserted in the rectum to examine the lower part of the colon and the rectum. This helps evaluate the size of the cancer, and the doctor may collect a sample of the cells lining the rectum for further laboratory testing.

· Colonoscopy

Similar to proctosigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy involves the insertion of a long tube linked to a camera which is inserted into the colon, to determine the spread of the cancer across the entire length of the colon and rectum.

Rectal or colorectal cancer may sometimes get misdiagnosed, as their symptoms might be similar to those of other less critical conditions. Misdiagnosis is often the result of medical negligence, when the physician fails to record the patient's complete history, or ignores the symptoms, or fails to conduct all the necessary examinations to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

Such acts of negligence count for medical malpractice, and the responsible physicians are legally obliged to compensate for the pain, suffering, and other physical complications that were implicated by their carelessness toward the patient.

RMFW Knows How to Win

If your condition was misdiagnosed due to medical negligence, get in touch with Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff (RMFW) who are some of the best New York City medical malpractice attorneys in the entire region. The law firm of RMFW has been around the block before and we know how to win cases. We have won millions of dollars for our clients and if your case is viable we would like to make you a winner as well.

RMFW can be reached right here: 212-344-1000. We know what you are going through. If you have a viable case we will let you know. The first consultation is free. It costs you nothing to call us; it could cost you gravely if you do not.