Surgery for Colon Cancer

There is a growing number of patients of colon cancer, particularly for people in the West. Colon cancer is a serious medical condition. The good news is, there is also a decline in the deaths related to colon cancer, thanks to the advancements in research and medication of colon cancer. This can be attributed to various treatment methods such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.

Perhaps the most popular form of colon cancer treatment is surgery. This method can be applied to any stage of the disease. The use of surgery is often hinged on certain factors such as the location and the size of the tumor, and the general health of the patient.

One type of color cancer surgery is colonoscopic excision. This is based on the colonoscope that is a special tool in examining the colon. It has substantially improved the way humans have dealt with colorectal cancer for the past couple of decades. Aside from providing an exact assessment of colon, the colonoscope can be utilized in taking out polyps. This procedure is usually done to heal colorectal cancer in early stages, and is performed with the use of anesthesia.

There’s also local excision, where portions of tissues containing cancerous cells are removed through the anus. Then the tissues are handed over to pathologists for review so that the stage or seriousness of the cancer can be determined. After this, additional treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be recommended as needed.

There’s also bowel resection, where the abdomen is opened and the diseased tissue is removed. The surrounding tissues are likewise taken out so there is a guarantee that no cancerous cells are left behind. The intestine or the bowel’s ends are then connected with sutures. Temporary colostomy ca also be used in this procedure, especially for patients suffering from
rectal cancer. Twelve weeks later, another set of tests are performed to determined if the intestines or the bowels have healed, so that the normal bowel function of the patient is restored.

Then there’s abdominoperineal excision. In this form of surgery, the entire rectum as well as the anal canal is removed. This extreme surgical option however is also done during instance when other surgical methods are no longer viable. But recent advances in medical treatment for colon cancer have enabled physicians to skip this type of surgery altogether, much to the relief and comfort of patients.