Colon Cancer Surgery Complications: Unlikely, but possible, risks and complications
As with any type of operation, colon cancer surgery complications are a possibility since any kind of medical procedure carries a certain level of risk. While advancements in technology and surgical techniques have made colon cancer surgery safe and complications unlikely, they are still possible and should be discussed with your doctor before surgery. The surgeon should completely explain what risks may be involved, which can vary widely depending on the type of surgery, the stage of the cancer, and the patient’s overall health.
Infection: Infection is a risk to consider and be aware of following any type of surgery. Your doctor will provide instructions on how to properly care for your wound or incision after your operation. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully to avoid a painful infection that can considerably lengthen your recovery time, or even create the need for additional surgery. Any sign of infection should be immediately reported to your health care provider who will most likely prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Pain: Colon cancer pain is perhaps the most commonly reported side effect following surgery, and prolonged or excessive pain is one of the colon cancer surgery complications to be aware of. Your level of discomfort will depend on the type of procedure you had, and the doctor should prescribe medications to reduce or even eliminate pain. Your health care providers should also tell you how to keep your pain levels at a minimum, what to avoid, and when you can expect to resume your normal activities.
Bleeding: As with any type of surgery, bleeding is possible. Surgeons will implement various methods of decreasing the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery. Colon cancer bleeding should be kept to a minimum.
Blood clots: While recovering from surgery, some patients are at a risk of developing blood clots that generally appear most often in the legs. While the risk is minimal, this is one of the colon cancer surgery complications that can become rather serious, even fatal. If a blood clot breaks off, it may cause a heart attack, or even travel to the lungs, which is called a pulmonary embolism. Your doctor should discuss methods to prevent blood clots from developing such as getting up and out of bed at regular intervals to ensure the steady flow of blood to the extremities.
Altered bowel function: Immediately following surgery some patients report that they have difficulty having a bowel movement or emptying their bladder. Depending on the invasiveness of surgery and the type of procedure used, these side effects usually disappear within three or four days. Your doctor, who can offer additional treatment options to consider, should be notified if you experience either of these symptoms.
Damage to surrounding organs: While the risk is very minimal, colon cancer surgery complications can come in the form of a ruptured spleen, and a perforation of the colon, the peritoneal cavity, or the surrounding organs.
Side effects from medication: Complications following colon cancer surgery can include adverse effects from medication used to treat the disease, or from the anesthesia used during the procedure. Your doctor, who should be immediately informed of any side effects from medications, will be able to offer alternate forms of therapy or treatment.
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