Knowing Your Colon Cancer Surgery Options
Depending on the exact location of your cancer and how advanced it is, there may be several colon cancer surgery options open to you. Your surgeon will discuss what options you have and give you a general overview of each.
The most common type of surgery is open colostomy surgery. This is where the cancer plus any part of the colon necessary is removed using standard surgery methods. In some cases, you may have to have a colostomy, where small colostomy bags have to be worn externally to collect waste matter. You would probably be expected to remain in the hospital for about a week and it may take up to six or seven weeks of recovery time at home.
Other surgery methods that may be open to you include the surgeon just removing the cancer itself plus some surrounding tissue, this is called a local excision. Then there is a procedure called anterior resection which involves the removal of the cancer, surrounding tissue and part of the colon, both above and below the cancer site, and some lymph nodes.
With this procedure, the colon is reconnected and no colostomy is needed. In a lower anterior resection, cancer is removed from the lower sigmoid colon. They also remove surrounding healthy tissue and lymph nodes then the colon is reconnected to the lower rectum. An abdominal perineal resection is necessary when the cancer is very close to the anus. With this surgery the rectum and anus must be removed, a hole is made in the abdominal wall and waste products are then eliminate through a colostomy into a bag worn externally.
An extended resection is necessary when the cancer has penetrated the colon wall and has invaded other organs such as the pelvis or abdominal wall, vagina or bladder. In this case, surgery is extensive and other methods of treatment such as radiation and chemotherapy are required.
A form of minimal invasive surgery has been developed where a small camera is inserted through a hole in the skin about half an inch long into the colon. The images are then viewed on a monitor in the operating room and surgeon can then use other special instruments through other small holes to remove any cancer or dangerous growths that may cause cancer. Repairs are then made and holes stitched. This type of surgery bring many benefits to patients who are able to use this option, with a shorter stay in the hospital, smaller incisions, less pain afterwards and much quicker recovery time.
Colon cancer surgery options are now available to most patients. Your surgeon will discuss which of these options are suitable for you depending on your condition and the size and exact location of your cancer.
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