If you or a loved one were diagnosed with colon cancer or rectal cancer (i.e., colorectal cancer) after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation from a Camp Lejeune colorectal cancer lawsuit case or settlement claim.
A team of injury lawyers and class action attorneys is investigating potential Camp Lejeune lawsuit cases and settlement claims of individuals who were diagnosed with colon cancer or rectal cancer (colorectal cancer) after being exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune.
Colorectal cancer (a/k/a colon cancer, bowel cancer and/or rectal cancer) is a form of cancer that begins in the colon (large intestine) or the rectum when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control.
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, an estimated 151,030 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, including 106,180 colon cancer cases and 44,850 rectal cancer cases. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, accounting for an estimated 52,580 deaths.
Camp Lejeune Colorectal Cancer Lawsuit Cases
Camp Lejeune colorectal cancer lawsuit and settlement cases potentially being investigated include claims of individuals who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987:
- Colon cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Bowel cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Colorectal carcinoma
- Colorectal adenocarcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma of the colon
- Mucinous (colloid) adenocarcinoma
- Signet-ring cell carcinoma
- Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
- Primary colorectal lymphoma
- Leiomyosarcoma
- Medullary carcinoma
- Micropapillary adenocarcinoma
- Serrated adenocarcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Adenosquamous carcinoma
- Spindle cell carcinoma
- Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma
- Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
- Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
- Mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma
- Undifferentiated carcinoma
- Other Camp Lejeune cancer lawsuit cases
Camp Lejeune Colon Cancer & Rectal Cancer Cases
Various studies have found that exposure to PCE, TCE and benzene (some of the chemicals found in the water at Camp Lejeune) may be linked to an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
For example, a study published in the journal of Environmental Health Perspectives found potential evidence for an association between PCE-contaminated public drinking water and cancer of the colon-rectum. Another study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that the data suggest associations between TCE exposure and colon cancer. Similarly, a study in the journal of Cancer Epidemiology found an association between workplace benzene exposure and colorectal cancer.
Colorectal Cancer Signs & Symptoms
Colorectal cancer signs and symptoms can potentially include:
- Rectal bleeding
- Blood in stool
- Persistent abdominal discomfort or pain
- Feeling of bowel not emptying
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Weakness or fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Change in bowel habits
- Diarrhea or constipation that lasts for a long time
- Other colorectal cancer symptoms or signs
Procedures and tests used to diagnose colon or rectal cancer include colonoscopy (a scope to examine the inside of the colon), proctocopy (a scope to examine the rectum), biopsy, blood tests (such as a complete blood count CBC, liver enzyme, and tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen CEA), and imaging tests (such as CT scan, PET scan, abdominal ultrasound, endorectal ultrasound, intraoperative ultrasound, endorectal MRI, x-ray, angiography, etc.)
Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Colorectal cancer treatments treatments can include surgery to remove the part of the colon or rectum that contains cancer (partial colectomy or hemicolectomy or segmental resection), surgery to create a path for waste to leave the body (ostomy), surgery to remove colon (total abdominal colectomy), surgery to remove colon and rectum (total proctocolectomy), surgery to remove parts of rectum and sigmoid colon (proctosigmoidectomy), continent ileostomy (or K pouch), ileal (or J pouch), surgery to remove polyps (polypectomy), surgery to remove lymph nodes, abdominoperineal resection (removal of anus, rectum or sigmoid colon) radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, among others.
Colorectal Cancer Stages
There are five stages of colorectal cancer. In Stage 0 colon cancer (stage 0 colorectal cancer, also known as carcinoma in situ or intramucosal carcinoma), the cancer remains inside the innermost lining or mucosa of the colon or rectum. In Stage I colon cancer (stage I colorectal cancer), the cancer has broken through innermost layer of the bowels to the second or third layer of the bowel’s inside walls. In Stage II colon cancer (stage II colorectal cancer), the cancer has spread into the outer layers of the colon or rectum, broken through the bowel walls or mucosa and may have spread to nearby organs such as the bladder, uterus or prostate gland. In Stage III colon cancer (stage III colorectal cancer), the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. In Stage IV colon cancer (stage IV colorectal cancer), the cancer has metastasized outside the colon or rectum to other parts of the body such as the liver, lungs or lymph nodes.
If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and suffered from colon cancer or rectal cancer (colorectal cancer), you may be entitled to recover compensation from a Camp Lejeune colorectal cancer lawsuit case or settlement claim. Contact a drug injury lawyer to request a free case review.
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