Surgery
Your doctor will discuss with you the most appropriate
type of surgery, dependent on the type, size and spread of the
cancer. Before any operation make sure that you have discussed
it fully with your doctor. Remember, no operation or procedure
will be done without your consent.
Surgery is the most
common form of treatment for cancer of the large bowel.
Usually the piece of bowel which contains the cancer is
removed and the two open ends are then joined together. During
the operation the lymph nodes nearby may also be removed
because this is the first place to which the disease may
spread.
If for some reason the
bowel cannot be rejoined it can be brought out onto the skin
of the abdominal wall. This is known as a colostomy and
the opening of the bowel is known as a stoma. A bag is
worn over the stoma to collect the stool. Sometimes a
colostomy is only temporary and a further operation to rejoin
the bowel can be done a few months later. If such an operation
is not possible the colostomy is permanent. However, only a
small number of people with cancer of the large bowel will
need a colostomy.
Sometimes you may have an
operation called an ileostomy, in which the small bowel
is brought out onto the abdominal wall. As with a colostomy,
stools are then collected in a bag worn over the stoma.
This is generally a
temporary operation for people with cancer of the colon and
rectum.
You will probably be
admitted to the ward the day before your operation so that the
doctors and nurses can do any further tests. To ensure that
your bowel is completely empty you will be asked to follow a
strict diet and take a laxative the day before surgery. Your
doctor will explain this to you in more detail.
Sometimes, if the cancer
is causing a blockage of the bowel, it may be necessary to do
an operation straightaway.
