• What are the different surgical procedures available to treat colon cancer?
• How to prepare for surgery?
• How to take care of oneself after surgery?

Surgeries are not all made equal. Differences in colon cancer surgeries

Although colon cancer can severely affect, and potentially threaten, someone’s life; screening and check-ups can make a significant difference.  But if colon cancer surgery is required, the objective is to remove the cancer and close-by lymph nodes. Surgical solutions for this task vary in technique, depending on the patient’s physical condition, location and stage of the tumor, as well as the skill level of the surgeon.
 

What are the different surgical procedures available to treat colon cancer?

• Open colectomy is a surgery requiring a 20 to 30 centimeter long, vertical incision on the abdomen to allow the surgeons hands and equipment to reach the surgical site.
• Laparoscopic surgery is performed though 4 to 6 incisions less than 1 cm in length. A light-source, high-resolution camera and surgical equipment are inserted through these small holes to see and remove the tumor and the adjacent lymph nodes.
  Robotic assisted surgery is in principal similar to endoscopic surgery, but instead of holding the instruments directly, the surgeon sits at a console and controls the movement of the mechanical arms of the robot with his/her hands while viewing the surgical site using a 3D screen.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery, otherwise known as keyhole surgery, is the current standard to treat colon cancer in any location of the bowel. It causes less tissue damage and blood loss, therefore patients experience less pain and recover faster. Patients with congenital diseases, such as heart or kidney diseases, benefit particularly from laparoscopic surgery techniques due to its less invasive nature. Open surgery, on the other hand, allows greater access to the surgical site and benefits patients suffering from larger tumors and where other organs are affected.

Open or laparoscopic surgery have equal survival and recurrence rates.

How to prepare for surgery?

Before colon cancer surgery, open or endoscopic, the doctor will perform a thorough health check to assess the patients overall constitution. Some patients have to control underlying diseases before the colon cancer surgery can be performed. Before the surgery, patients have to cleanse their intestines, avoiding high fiber foods, such as fruit and vegetables, and consume only clear soup. 6 to 8 hours before the surgery, patients have to fast and refrain from food s or drinks and follow the doctor’s instructions.

How to take care of oneself after surgery?

Due to the large incision and tissue damage of an open surgery, patients are not allowed to lift heavy objects for 3 to 4 months after surgery, which would risk the muscle to split. Patients after endoscopic surgery can return to their normal routines one month after surgery.
 
All types of surgery, open or endoscopic, require an experienced specialist. The Colorectal Surgery Center at Bumrungrad International Hospital is staffed by highly qualified specialists who collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to provide the best care for colorectal cancer patients.


 

Colorectal Surgery Center

3rd floor, Building B, North wing
Tel: 02 011 2351-2 (8:00 - 18:00 hrs.)
Tel: 1378 (20:00 - 8:00 hrs.)
E-mail: [email protected]