Helpful Information About Colon Cancer Surgery
Colon Cancer refers to the cancerous growth found in the colon, rectum and appendix. Colon cancer develops from adenomatous polyps in the colon and is the second leading cause of thousands of deaths in the Western World. Relief from colon cancer is usually attained from surgery. Sometimes chemotherapy follows the surgery. There are several types of colon cancer surgeries which can be categorized into curative, palliative, bypass, fecal diversion and an open-and-close surgery. If the cancer becomes localized, curative surgery is sought. The cancer that develops within the polyp can be cured by removing the polyp. This is often discovered during colonoscopy. If the tumor is advanced, the section of the colon containing the cancerous growth is removed surgically, and the remaining parts of the colon are anatomized together to form a functioning colon. Palliative resection of the primary tumor is done when there are more than one metastases. Usually, chemotherapy follows surgical removal of isolated liver metastases. If it is not possible to remove the tumor and excision becomes difficult, surgeons prefer to do bypass surgery or a fecal diversion through a stoma. If the tumor is unresectable and the small bowel becomes involved, the open-and-close surgery is performed which is done in the worst cases. Anything more than this would do severe harm to the patient. Because of the advent of laparoscopy and better radiological imaging, more and more cases are being surgically treated with the open-and-close surgery. Colon Cancer Surgery involves many after effects as it is the case with other types of surgery. Any form of colon cancer surgery can result in wound infection with the result that the wound might burst or hernia; the anastomosis can breakdown which can lead to fistula formation or peritonitis; bleeding that doesn't clot; bowel obstructions; blind loop syndrome which usually happens in bypass surgery; organ injury and other cardio respiratory complications. It is important that you undertake a postoperative follow up. Sometimes, all the cancerous growths are not removed during surgery because they might be invisible to the naked eye. It is also possible for cancerous cells to be present in other parts of the body. Therefore it is important that you take follow up treatment so that if any cancer is detected, it can be treated with care and time. The Colorectal surgery program at Stanford University is one of the best places to be treated for colon cancer. Surgeons Andrew A. Shelton, MD and Mark Welton, MD are very distinguished surgeons in the United States. The Stanford program uses a specialty technique known as the total mesorectal excision which is a great advance in the surgical treatment of colon cancer. The program offers a comprehensive guide to colon cancer surgery and its consequences. |
