Doctors Fail to Biopsy Colon Polyp

Case Overview

This case takes place in New York and involves a female patient who underwent a colonoscopy with a colorectal surgeon. The surgeon thought there might have been a polyp, but it was not removed, nor were there any steps taken to positively identify the abnormality. The interpretation in the report was a normal colon with no recommendation of a follow up. A year later, the patient presented to a physician with blood in her stool and a colonoscopy was recommended. A mass was identified and a gastrointestinal biopsy was taken that revealed aggressive colon cancer. The patient eventually died from the cancer after it has metastasized. It is alleged that the colorectal surgeon deviated from the standard of care when he failed to properly remove the polyp and biopsy it, and when he failed to order an additional colonoscopy within a year to ensure the area was free of cancer.

Questions to the General Surgery expert and their responses

How often do you perform screening colonoscopies?

I perform colonoscopies 2-3 times a week.

What is the standard follow up for patients with the findings mentioned in this summary?

If I were concerned that there was something suspicious, I would biopsy it. If the biopsy came back normal but I was still suspicious I would bring the patient back in a short interval such as 6 months to a year.

Could earlier diagnosis have improved the prognosis for this patient?

If the polyp or abnormality was in the same region that the colon cancer was then most likely earlier diagnosis would have helped.

About the expert

This board certified colorectal surgeon has vast experience in her field and performs colonoscopy screenings 2-3 times a week. She is a member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, American Medical Association and NY Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons among others. Currently, she serves as Assistant Professor for the Division of Colorectal Surgery at a renowned university.