Colon Cancer Misdiagnosed In 2016: A 58-year-old British man, Mark Allinson, who had a prior history of kidney stones, went to the hospital in September 2016 for stomach pain. A CT scan ordered at that time showed that he had a kidney stone in his left kidney. He was sent home after the diagnosis.
In July 2020, he went to his general practitioner, complaining of severe stomach pain along with unexplained weight loss and a change in his bowel movements. A CT scan at that time diagnosed stage four colon cancer. A review of the 2016 CT scan showed that the mass was present at that time. He has since undergone surgical removal of a portion of his colon and resection of lymph nodes and cancer that had spread to his liver, stomach, and pelvis. He has required further treatment and monitoring because the surgeons were unable to remove all of the cancerous tissue.
In 2016, Mark Allinson was an ambulance service emergency care assistant and was training to be a paramedic. He had to abandon his dream of becoming a paramedic after his surgery and cancer treatments and he can only work part time. He continues to experience bowel symptoms, he takes medication to assist in digestion, and he requires regular injections to slow his cancer.
He recently stated: “It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe what the last few years have been like for me and my family. When I was told in 2016 that I had a kidney stone I had no reason to query it, particularly as I’ve suffered from them before. However, as time went on, I started developing symptoms and the pain was getting too much. While I knew something wasn’t quite right nothing prepared me for my diagnosis, and in particular, how my cancer had spread. At the time of my diagnosis life was good. I was putting everything into qualifying as a paramedic. However, that was all stopped in its tracks. The treatment while trying to come to terms with my diagnosis and how the cancer was advanced was difficult, not just physically but emotionally. Being a paramedic was my dream job and having to step back from that was difficult to accept. My diagnosis has also had huge impact on my family, in particular Becky [his fiance], who has cared for me during my illness and had difficulties coming to terms with everything. Even though I’m coming through the other side of surgery and can’t thank the oncology teams for everything they’ve done, what happened still lives with me every day. I still suffer symptoms connected to my cancer and receive on-going treatment and while I try and remain as positive as I can it’s sometimes difficult especially while still having so many unanswered questions. Despite everything I’ve been through it’s vital that people are not only aware of the signs of bowel cancer but seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity. I just hope that by speaking out I can help raise awareness of what I’m going through to help others.”
The father of four children contacted a British medical malpractice attorney regarding the misdiagnosis of his colon cancer to investigate and bring a medical malpractice claim on his behalf. The lawyer stated: “The last few years, coming to terms with his diagnosis and its impact has been incredibly difficult for not only Mark but also his family. Understandably he has a number of concerns about his diagnosis, particularly around whether the mass present in his previous CT scan should have been spotted in 2016, and if so, whether earlier treatment would have prevented his cancer developing. We’re now investigating those concerns to provide Mark with the answers he deserves. Through our work we sadly see the impact that bowel cancer can have. Mark hopes that by sharing his story he can help others be aware of the symptoms. We join him in supporting this incredibly important campaign as early detection and treatment are key to beating cancer.”
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