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Patients with carcinoma of the bowel tend to present to their GP with a history of rectal bleeding and altered bowel habit. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain and weight loss. Following examination, GPs should refer patients to a specialist bowel surgeon. The bowel surgeon should then repeat the examination and perform a proctoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. Investigations should be arranged to include a full blood count, liver and renal function tests, chest x-ray and barium enema. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy using fibreoptic endoscope may then be organised and biopsies taken of the suspicious area. Staging investigations will also include CT scanning.
Bowel cancer misdiagnosis
Treatment depends on the stage and site of the tumour. If it is confined to the bowel, surgery (colectomy, resection, proctectomy) will be performed. Depending on the type of cancer (Dukes A, B or C) patients may be offered adjuvant chemotherapy (with Dukes C colon cancer) or radiotherapy (with rectal cancer).
If bowel cancer is diagnosed early the chance of being cured is normally good. To succeed in a medical negligence claim you need to prove that the delay affected the outcome. Usually this means you need to prove that during the delay the cancer progressed to a more advanced stage. Therefore, delays of a few months are unlikely to be enough. However if cancer is left, it is likely to grow and can spread to other parts of the body. Mistakes in diagnosing bowel cancer can therefore be very serious. Bowel cancer misdiagnosis claims may be brought for:
- Failure to carry out an adequate examination or take an accurate history
- Failure to refer a patient to a specialist bowel surgeon for further investigation
- Mistakes in interpreting the investigations
- Mistaken diagnosis of bowel cancer
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Belgian National Employment law
We have a particular expertise in the area of restructuring of companies and collective dismissal - inclusive of benchmarking - in cases of closure of companies, merger and transfer of companies or activities, as well as in-/outsourcing.
We have a particular expertise in the area of restructuring of companies and collective dismissal - inclusive of benchmarking - in cases of closure of companies, merger and transfer of companies or activities, as well as in-/outsourcing.
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We help our clients with the drafting, negotiating and implementing internal policies/ procedures (labour regulations, harassment and discrimination, use of new technologies and social media).
We have a particular expertise in drafting all types of employment contracts with specific clauses adapted to the needs of our clients’ company.
At the client’s request we can conduct an internal social audit or assist our clients in responding to the authorities in the case of an official social audit.
We advise our clients on all aspects of working time, structuring end-of-career, suspension of the employment contract, time-credit, aspects of the gig economy).
We advise companies on how to optimize flexible salary packages (employment, social security and immigration aspects of salary packages and alternative remuneration, stock and other related remuneration),
We have a particular expertise in the area of restructuring of companies and collective dismissal - inclusive of benchmarking - in cases of closure of companies, merger and transfer of companies or activities, as well as in-/outsourcing.
We have a particular expertise in conflict control and representation before courts and tribunals,
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We assess the status applicable, social status of company officials, management company, etc).
We guide our clients in being compliant with the regulations in respect of communication to and consultation of employee representatives, including assistance with social elections and social conflicts)
We advise Belgian and foreign multinational companies on the international mobility of their employees within Europe or elsewhere with drafting the expatriation policies and contracts, social security benefits, request for immigration documents, etc.
We advise our clients on all aspects of working time, structuring end-of-career, suspension of the employment contract, time-credit, aspects of the gig economy).
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Fieldfisher has 23 offices across 12 countries, we work collaboratively with each of our offices to ensure our clients receive the best advice and support. To learn more about how we can support you select a location.
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