Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Answers to Common Questions
Over 150,000 people are affected by colorectal cancer each year and at present, it is ranked as the third most common cancer affecting both men and women. Colorectal cancer surgery is performed to remove tumors and, quite often, radiation and chemotherapy is used either before or after surgery dependent on the size and/or position of the cancer. When used before surgery, radiation can be helpful in shrinking the cancer to make removal easier. Chemotherapy for colon cancer is often used at this stage to enhance the effects of radiation. Used after surgery, radiation acts to ensure that the cancers do not recur.
There are several different methods of colorectal cancer surgery including: a polypectomy which is where polyps or small growths are removed during a colonoscopy, then there is a local excision which is used to treat cancers in the rectum by removing the cancer and some tissue of the rectum wall. This procedure does not require major abdominal surgery. A resection involves removing all or part of the colon along with the cancer and its attaching tissues and laparoscopic surgery uses a small camera to look inside the abdominal cavity and the images are viewed by a monitor. Then special instruments are used to remove cancerous cells and normal tissue.
Laparoscopic surgery is used by colorectal surgeons to treat quite a few conditions, which include Crohn’s Disease, early colon cancers, rectal prolapse, ulcerative colitis polyps and small rectal cancers. The benefits of this type of surgery are that there is a far less risk of infection, recovery time is quicker, and there is considerably less pain and scarring. In some cases, a stoma – an opening of the bowel to the skin - may be temporary or permanent, depending on your procedure. The waste that comes out of a stoma is collected in a bag. Modern colostomy bags and tubes have been designed to sit flat and cannot be noticed under clothing.
After any type of colorectal cancer surgery, recovery takes place rather quickly. In the first few days after major surgery, patients are fed through an IV, and then at 3-4 days post op, solid foods are reintroduced. Once home, a diet low in fiber is recommended temporarily as fiber found in fresh fruit and vegetables tend to irritate and may cause loose stools or even diarrhea.
A well balanced diet will aid in overall health. Research also shows that exercise not only aids in recovery but it has also been shown that exercise can help prevent recurrence of the cancers. Most patients get back to a normal life very quickly after colorectal cancer surgery, returning to work, sports and can still enjoy a normal sex life.
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