Last month, a jury in in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania found a hemorrhoid doctor negligent in the delayed diagnosis of a patient with rectal cancer.  The patient, a 32-year old mother of three, was awarded $2 million for past medical expenses and pain and suffering.

According to the lawsuit, the mother went to the defendant’s office in May 2008 after experiencing rectal bleeding.  The doctor administered an anoscopy, but no other testing, and subsequently diagnosed the patient with hemorrhoids.  Over the following 16 months, the doctor performed hemorrhoid treatments on the patient, despite the fact that the patient did not experience any relief in symptoms.

The mother then decided to see another doctor who determined that she was suffering from Stage III rectal cancer.  The plaintiff needed chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.

The court found that the defendant did not follow the guidelines put in place by the American Gastroenterology Association and other medical regulators that require doctors to perform an endoscopy, colonoscopy, or flexible sigmoidoscopy if a patient is experiencing rectal bleeding.

Contact the Philadelphia delayed cancer diagnosis attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 215-238-1130, if you or a loved one experienced a delayed cancer diagnosis and would like to speak with a medical malpractice lawyer about your situation.