Surgical options

Surgery is included in most treatment plans for colorectal cancer patients. The goal of surgery is to remove colorectal tumors, as well as a margin of surrounding normal tissue and several nearby lymph nodes.

Following surgery, many colorectal cancer patients receive chemotherapy, and in some cases, radiation therapy as well. These therapies are designed to remove cancer cells that may remain after surgery. In some cases, rectal cancer patients receive chemotherapy and radiation therapy prior to surgery to help shrink tumors before they are surgically removed.

Some of the many surgical options City of Hope offers to colorectal cancer patients include:

Colon resection (colectomy)

A colectomy is a procedure in which the cancerous portion of your colon is removed, and the remaining portions of your colon are then connected. In some cases, a small portion of healthy colon tissue adjacent to the cancerous tissue may also be removed to reduce the risk of cancerous tissue remaining in the colon. 

Colostomy

If a surgical oncologist is unable to reconnect the healthy portions of your colon and rectum during a colectomy, a colostomy may be performed. This procedure creates an artificial opening in your lower abdomen to allow your body to eliminate waste. A colostomy can be temporary or permanent.

Robotic surgery

Robotic surgery via the da Vinci Surgical System may offer a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery and laparoscopy. This surgery is performed through a few tiny incisions, and may enable you to move on to additional treatments and return to normal activities faster. It also gives your surgeon improved vision, precision and control.

Local excision and polypectomy

If colorectal cancer is found at an early state, your doctor may be able to remove it through a colonoscope. The removal of a polyp using this method is called a polypectomy. The removal of a stage 1 or stage 2 colorectal cancer is called endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). 

Rectum resection (proctectomy)

A proctectomy is performed to remove all or part of the rectum. Some nearby healthy tissue may also be removed, along with lymph nodes and fatty tissue. A pathologist may examine the lymph nodes to determine if cancer cells are present. After the cancer is removed, the surgical oncologist connects the sigmoid colon with remaining healthy tissue. This allows waste to pass normally out of the body through the anus.