Colon Cancer Surgery
Early stage or resectable colorectal cancers are commonly treated with surgery. The specific type of surgery recommended by doctors depends on factors such as the extent and location of the tumor. The three main types of surgery for colorectal cancer are open, laparoscopic, and robotic.
In the past, open surgery was the most common method for removing colorectal tumors. However, advances in technology have made laparoscopic and robotic surgeries increasingly available. These minimally invasive surgeries involve smaller incisions and generally result in shorter recovery times.
A study of over a million hospitalized colorectal cancer patients found that open surgeries decreased by 35.4% between 2004 and 2012, while laparoscopic surgeries increased more than threefold to 31.2% and robotic surgeries increased over 41-fold to 3.4%. Patients should discuss the choice of surgery with their healthcare team, taking into account factors such as the surgeon’s experience and the patient’s overall health.
Different types of colorectal surgery have different potential risks and benefits. For example, a right hemicolectomy involves removing the ascending colon and part of the transverse colon, with most patients regaining bowel function within three days. In contrast, a left hemicolectomy involves removing a portion of the transverse, descending, and sigmoid colon, with an increased risk of infections and temporary ostomy creation. Lower anterior resection involves removing the diseased portion of the rectum, which can lead to anastomotic leaks and fecal incontinence, and patients may experience LARS syndrome or sexual dysfunction following the surgery.