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Surgery/ Procedures for early-stage colon cancer
- Radiation Therapy
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Medical Management
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Polypectomy (removing polyps during a colonoscopy) – If the cancer is in an early stage, small, localized, and completely contained within a polyp, the doctor may be able to remove it completely during a colonoscopy.
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Endoscopic mucosal resection – Larger polyps may be removed during colonoscopy using special tools in a procedure called Endoscopic mucosal resection.
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Laparoscopic surgery (minimally invasive surgery) – Polyps that can’t be removed during a colonoscopy may be removed using laparoscopic surgery.
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Robotic Surgery in colon cancer is usually the best option, because the improved magnification of the operating area makes it possible for the surgeon to remove even the smallest tumor and of the patient is much faster.
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Surgery for advanced colon cancer
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Partial colectomy – During this procedure, the surgeon removes part of the colon that contains the tumor along with a margin of normal tissue on either side. The surgeon is often able to reconnect the healthy portions of the colon.
This procedure can be done by a minimally invasive approach – either through laparoscopy or Robotic surgery.
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When it’s not possible to reconnect the healthy portions of the colon, the patient may need a Colostomy. In this procedure an opening is created in the abdomen for drainage of stools from the large intestine, this is then collected into a securely fit bag through the abdomen. This may be a temporary or a permanent procedure based on the location of the tumor.
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New treatment options for advanced colon cancers
Colon cancers which are advanced but not spread beyond the abdominal organs can be treated with new modalities such as Cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC or PIPAC-
Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Heated Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) –
Before patients receive HIPEC treatment, the surgeon performs surgery to reduce the size of a tumor (CRS) within the abdomen. HIPEC helps deliver chemotherapy directly to the cancer cells within the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). This increases the efficacy of the treatment because the cells are subjected to higher does of chemotherapy and the heated solution also improves the absorption of the drug by the tumor cells and destroys the microscopic cancer cells that remain in the abdomen after surgery. The solution is then drained from the abdomen, and the incision is closed. -
Pressurized Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIPAC)-
Is a novel treatment modality for patients with refractory peritoneal cancers which are not amenable for surgery. It is a technique that delivers chemotherapeutic drugs in aerosolized form into the abdominal cavity through laparoscopic approach using a special nebulizer device.PIPAC helps improve quality of life. The procedure may ease symptoms related to cancer like abdominal pain, swelling and intestinal obstructions.
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Surgery for more advanced cancer
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If the cancer is very advanced and the overall health is very poor, the surgeon may recommend an operation to relieve the blockage of the colon or other procedures in order to manage the symptoms.
This surgery helps to relieve symptoms such as a blockage, bleeding or pain in cancers that are incurable.
If the cancer has grown into or through the colon, the surgeon may recommend:
