Surgery is the first recommended treatment for bowel cancer, as it is the fastest and most effective way to remove most tumor cells, and can cure cancer in the mildest grade 1 and 2 cases, or delay its development, in the most severe cases.
The type of surgery used depends on the location of the cancer, its type, size and how much it has spread in the body, and it may be necessary to remove only a small piece of the intestinal wall or remove an entire portion.
In any type of surgery, the doctor may recommend other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate cancer cells that have not been removed. In the most severe cases, where the chances of cure are very low, these treatments can also serve to relieve symptoms.
Undeveloped cancer surgery
This is the simplest type of surgery that serves to remove grade 1 tumors that have not yet developed and, therefore, affect a small region of the intestine.
To do this surgery, the doctor uses a small tube, similar to the colonoscopy exam, which has an instrument on the tip capable of removing pieces of the intestinal wall. Thus, the doctor removes all cancer cells and some of the healthy cells around them, to ensure that the cancer does not reoccur.
After that, the removed cells are sent to the laboratory for analysis. With the result, the doctor assesses the degree of change in the malignant cells and evaluates the need to have a new surgery to remove more tissue.
This surgery is done in the doctor's office and, therefore, it is not necessary to use any type of anesthesia, and only mild sedation can be used. Thus, it is possible to return home on the same day, without having to stay in the hospital.
If you are going to do this type of surgery, see how to prepare yourself, following the instructions used for the colonoscopy exam.
Surgery for cancer developed
This type of surgery is used for more developed cancers, such as some of grade 2, and almost all of grade 3, 4, and 5. Unlike surgery for grade 1 cancer, it is done in the hospital under general anesthesia, because it is necessary to make a cut in the belly to be able to remove larger portions of the intestine. Therefore, after surgery, you need to stay in the hospital for about 1 week before returning home, to ensure that complications do not arise.
During surgery, the doctor tries to remove all the intestinal tissue affected by the tumor and, therefore, the amount of intestine removed varies according to the location of the tumor, its size and development. After removing the affected part, the surgeon connects the two parts of the intestine, allowing the organ to reestablish its function.
In cases where it is necessary to remove a very large part of the intestine or the surgery is very complicated, the doctor may connect the intestine directly to the skin, known as an ostomy, to allow the intestine to recover before connecting the two parts. See more about what it is and how to care for the ostomy.
