Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum. Cancer that starts in these different areas develops slowly over many years. Most of these cancers begin as a polyp--a growth of tissue that starts in the lining and grows into the center of the colon or rectum. Removing a polyp early may prevent it from becoming cancer.

For earlier stage colon cancer, surgery is often the main treatment. The surgery is called a colectomy or a segmental resection. In most cases the cancer and a piece of normal colon on either side, and nearby lymph nodes are removed. The two healthy ends of the colon are then sewn back together. A colostomy to rid the intestine of body wastes is not usually needed, although sometimes a short-term colostomy may be done to rest the colon and give it time to heal.

Surgery is usually done through a single open incision in the abdomen, but for some earlier stage cancers a minimally invasive laparoscopic-assisted colectomy may be performed. With this approach, patients usually recover faster than with traditional open surgeries.

Some very early colon cancers or polyps can be removed using a colonoscope (a flexible scope used to do a colonoscopy).

Rectal surgery

Surgery is usually the main treatment for rectal cancer, although radiation and chemo will often be given before or after surgery.