Recovering From Bowel Cancer Surgery
Different types of surgery
The type of bowel cancer surgery used for treatment will depend on the location of the disease, as well as how far it may have progressed. A colonoscopic excision is the least invasive of surgical procedures and is generally done on an outpatient basis. With this procedure, a local anesthesia is administered, and an instrument called a colonoscope is used to examine the bowel and remove polyps. This procedure is most effective in treating colon cancer in its earliest stages.
A local excision made through the anus may be necessary for patients who have been diagnosed with rectal cancer. All of the cancerous cells, along with any surrounding tissues, will be removed and sent to a pathologist for review. The pathologist will then study the collected cells to determine the stage of the cancer, which will also help the doctor decide what other forms of treatment may be necessary.
An open laparotomy with partial colectomy is often called a resection of the bowel. This procedure involves a long incision in the abdomen to remove the cancerous portion of the intestine. The remaining segments are then joined back together with sutures, and a temporary colostomy may be needed while the bowel heals, especially if the patient was diagnosed with rectal cancer.
An abdominoperineal excision is the most invasive form of bowel cancer surgery and involves the removal of the entire rectum and anal canal. This procedure is usually only performed in cases where the disease has advanced to the most extreme stage leaving other treatment options unviable. Thanks to advances in treatment and detection methods, this type of radical procedure is rarely needed.
Follow-up care
Following bowel cancer surgery, it will be necessary to have several follow-up appointments with an oncologist, which is a cancer specialist, and your gastroenterologist. Depending on the stage of the cancer or the type of procedure that was used, a colonoscopy will generally be required within three months after your surgery. Most doctors will recommend that patients have another colonoscopy one year following surgery, and every three years after that along with a yearly fecal occult blood test.
Another test to screen for colon cancer after surgery measures the level of carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA) in the blood. This protein that is normally present in very small amounts in the bloodstream, is found at an elevated level in people with colon cancer. CEA levels are usually taken before bowel cancer treatment and then again at intervals of about two to three months following the operation. If the amounts of CEA increase again beyond the normal level, it may indicate that the cancer has returned. Colon cancer tests are very important after surgery on a regular basis.
Recovery
It’s essential to get the proper amount of rest following bowel cancer surgery. Depending on your doctor’s instructions, it’s also important to keep yourself as active as possible, but within reason of course. Be sure not to take on too many tasks after your operation to avoid setbacks and delays in recovery time. While it’s important to get up and dressed each and every day, resume daily activities in small increments until you build your strength up again. Housework and heavy lifting should always be avoided until given the okay from your doctor.
Many patients report that they suffer from some depression following their surgery, so it’s helpful to have a solid support system in place. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help, and many people join a support group to meet with individuals who have experienced the same thing.
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