Patient Education Colorectal Cancer: Your Care and Recovery | Page 16

Colon Cancer Surgery
Surgery is usually the first treatment for colon cancer. The goal of surgery is
to remove as much cancer from the body as possible. Cancer that is small
and has not spread beyond the colon where it started may be cured with
surgery alone.
During surgery, the surgeon removes the affected part of the colon or
rectum. This is called resection. Some normal tissue and nearby lymph
nodes are removed. The surgeon will also examine the other organs in
the abdomen. In most cases, the healthy sections of the colon are then
reconnected, which is called anastomosis. There are different types of
surgery for colon cancer:
❒ Open Laparotomy with Partial Bowel Resection
The surgeon makes a long cut in the abdomen, removes the section of
the colon that contains the cancer along with surrounding tissue and
lymph nodes, and sews or staples the cut ends together.
❒ Laparoscopic-Assisted Colectomy
Several small cuts are made in the abdomen to insert special instruments
and a small light and camera that let the surgeon see inside the abdomen.
This avoids the longer open cut, takes longer than an open laparatomy,
and is more costly. Hospital recovery time is a bit shorter, and you may
need less pain medicine after surgery. The surgeon must be specially
trained to perform laparoscopic surgery.
❒ Ostomy
An ostomy may be needed if the surgeon has to bypass a large part of
your colon or remove the muscle at the opening of the rectum.
Your surgeon often knows whether or not you will need an ostomy
before the surgery starts, and he or she will discuss this with you in
detail.
A new path for stool and other waste is made by creating a stoma
(opening in the abdomen) and connecting the end of your colon or small
intestine to the opening. An ostomy pouch that fastens to your skin over
the stoma is used to collect waste.
Some ostomies are reversible after the surgery heals, and some will be
permanent. An enterostomal therapist (ostomy nurse) will teach you
about your ostomy and provide support during your hospital stay.
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