Colon Cancer Surgery Procedures

Colon cancers are part of a group of cancers of the bowel and intestinal system. They often present with rectal cancer and are called colorectal cancers. In 90 percent of cases, colon cancers originate with polyps called adenomas that grow in the lining of the colon. The cancer is a slow growing cancer, but may be asymptomatic until it becomes advanced. Colon cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination of treatments.

Surgery Options

• Early stage colon cancer is almost always treated with some form of surgery. The most common surgery performed is a segmental resection, also called a colectomy. This involves the removal of cancer cells and a small piece of the surrounding colon and lymph nodes. The remaining pieces of the colon are sewn pack together and normal bowel function is preserved, although in some cases a colostomy (stomach opening to allow waste to drain into a bag instead of passing through the colon) is given in the short term to allow the colon to heel. Generally, the surgery is considered to be relatively safe and the associated hospital stay is between 5 and 7 days.

Early Stage Surgery

• For some very early stage colon cancers, a colectomy is not required. Instead, the use of a thin, flexible scope called a colon scope is inserted without the need for an incision in the abdomen. Cancer cells that exist on the lining of the colon can be removed with the colon scope or polyps can be removed, as a part of a polypectomy.

Colectomy

• There are two different methods of performing a colectomy, when one is required. The first involves a long incision in the abdomen, and has a longer healing process. This is called an open colectomy. A newer procedure which reduces recovery time is called a laporascopic colectomy which involves the use of several smaller incisions and the use of specialized instruments to perform the surgery through these smaller incisions.

Partial Versus Total Colectomy

• The partial colectomy involves removal of only the portion of the colon that had the cancer cells, as well as a small surrounding area. This is sufficient for small tumors, and allows the patient to maintain normal bowel function because the remaining pieces of the colon are attached together. A total colectomy involves removal of the entire colon. When a total colectomy is necessary, the surgeon must make an incision in the abdominal wall and create an opening called a stoma. The open end of the intestine that used to be attached to the colon is pulled through this abdominal wall and surgically attached to the skin. Waste is now able to leave your body through the opening in the abdomen, and collects in a special bag you must wear, called an ostomy bag.

Side Effects

• Possible side effects of colon surgery depend on a number of factors, including the patients health and the extent of the surgery. Pain generally lingers after the operation for several days, and a patient may experience a loss of interest in eating. Blood clots, bleeding or organ damage may occur in rare cases. If the ends of the intestines do not remain firmly sewn together, in rare cases leakage might occur and cause an infection. Finally, scar tissue called adhesions may develop in the abdomen following the surgery and block the bowel.