A 77-year-old man died from colon cancer because doctors failed to remove a large precancerous polyp. The polyp was a type known to have a higher risk of becoming malignant, but neither the man nor his family were told about the risk. When the man, then 72-years-old, underwent the colonoscopy where the polyp was found, the gastroenterologist tattooed the length of polyp that was not removed during the colonoscopy, presumably for the surgeon who would remove the remainder. The follow-up surgery never took place. Approximately five years later, the man began experiencing gastrointestinal problems and underwent another colonoscopy. It was discovered he had colon cancer that had spread to his liver and lungs. He died the following year. The man’s family contended that they should have been told about the malignant potential of the polyp and that the man would not have died if it had been removed.
(Last Updated On: September 10, 2018)
