Surgery Overview
Resection is another name for any operation that removes tissue or
part of an organ. Bowel resection for
colorectal cancer, also called partial colectomy, removes the tumor. To make sure that only healthy tissue is left, the doctor removes a small amount of colon or rectum tissue on both sides of the tumor.
The goal of bowel resection is to take out the part of the colon or
rectum where the cancer is. Nearby
lymph nodes are taken out and tested for cancer. Then
healthy parts of the colon or rectum are sewn back together. Bowel resection is
done either by opening the abdomen (open resection) or by
laparoscopy.
What To Expect After Surgery
Bowel resection requires
general anesthesia. You may stay in the hospital for 4
to 7 days or as long as 2 weeks after surgery.
Sometimes the two parts of the colon or rectum cannot be
reattached, so the surgeon performs a
colostomy. This creates an opening, called a stoma, on
the outside of the body for the stool, or feces, to pass through into a
colostomy bag. Usually the colostomy is temporary, until the colon or rectum
heals. If the lower part of the rectum has been removed, the colostomy is
permanent. Most people who have colon cancer don't need a colostomy.
Treatment after bowel resection may include radiation therapy and
chemotherapy, in case there are any cancer cells remaining.
Radiation therapy uses X-rays to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy uses drugs-given either as pills or
through a needle-to kill them.
Follow-up care is important because colorectal cancer can come back
after surgery, especially if it was not discovered when it was in an early
stage.
Why It Is Done
In early-stage cancer, surgery is done to remove as much cancer as
possible to give the greatest chance of a cure.
In cases of advanced colorectal cancer that has spread
(metastasized) to other parts of the body, bowel resection is often done to
remove tumors that are blocking the intestine or causing bleeding.
How Well It Works
Bowel resection is the most successful treatment for invasive colorectal
cancer.
Risks
Possible complications after a bowel resection include infection,
bleeding, or scar tissue formation (adhesions).
What To Think About
This operation does not usually cause problems, even in older
people. Age should not be a reason to avoid having a bowel resection.
In some cases, bowel resection can be done with a
laparoscopy. Laparoscopy for bowel resection usually
involves 3 to 6 very small incisions instead of one large one. Recovery time is
faster.
You and your doctor will think about several things in deciding
whether you should have open resection or a laparoscopy. These include:
- The location and extent of the
cancer.
- Your general health.
- Whether you have scar
tissue in the area from previous surgery.
- Your doctor's expertise
and experience.
Sometimes a laparoscopic surgery has to be changed to an open
resection during the surgery.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
Credits
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerKenneth Bark, MD - General Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery