Colon Rectal Cancer Surgery

Colon Rectal Cancer Surgery

Colon cancer is fairly common in the western worlds, and is the second largest cause of death in that region.

Despite the notorious statistics, deaths from colon cancer have been on the decline in the past 15 years.

The main reason in the fall of the number is the development in medical science; there have been a number of treatment methods as well as an increase in the regular screening for the disease.

Although chemo and radio therapies are a possible cure of this type of cancer, but by far the most successful form of treatment is in the form of surgery.

Surgery helps to treat the disease and its six cases, the type of surgery that is performed, largely rests on the size and location of the tumor. The type of surgery performed; also depends on the general health of the patient.

Here is a detailed list of the different types of surgery that is used in different cases.

Local excision.
This type of surgery for rectal cancer is performed through the anus. This surgery removes cancerous cells from the system.

These cancerous tissues are then sent to a pathologist, to determine the depth of cancer and the degree of damage that it has already caused in the system. Once the stage of cancer is determined, the doctors can determine if any further treatment is required, in the form of chemo therapy or radio therapy.

Bowel resection.
This surgery is done through an opening in the abdomen, with the help of this surgery; all the cancerous tissues are removed.

To take extra precaution, the adjoining cells are also removed. Once the surgery is complete the end of bowels or the intestines are joined with sutures, this process of joining the intestine is known as anastomosis.

In case of patients with rectal cancer, a temporary colostomy may also be performed. After 12 weeks, tests are performed if the anastomis has healed. If the anastomis has healed properly, then the colostomy opening is closed, and the normal bowel movement of the patient is restored.

A colostomy creates a hole on the ether side of the abdomen. This hole is called a stoma, the end of the intestine is then stitched, and the waste passes through the stoma in to a colostomy bag. 

Colonospic excision.
The development of colons cope has provided a major break through in the treatment of colorectal cancer in the last three decades.

In addition to detecting polyps it also helps in the removal of them. This process of removal of polyps, also known as polypectomy, is performed, when the patient is administered anesthesia. 
 
Abdominoperineal excision.
This unconventional surgery, involves the removal of the entire rectum and anal canal. This surgery is undertaken only in extreme circumstances, where it is not possible to cure the patients with other types of surgery.