Cancer Of Colon And Rectum (Colorectal Cancer)

Cancer of the colon

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (colon). Colon cancer typically affects older adults. It usually begins as a small, noncancerous (benign) clump of cells called polyps that form on the inside of the colon. Over time some of these polyps can become colon cancers. Infact screening and removal of colon polyps can aid in the prevention of colorectal cancer. Regular colorectal cancer screening is important also because no cancer-specific early signs or symptoms are there. There are other risk factors for colorectal cancer that you can control like controlling your weight, avoiding smoking, alcohol and red meat.

If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with colon cancer do not feel worried or over whelmed. There are numerous treatment options. Surgery has a very high cure rate for early stage tumors. We perform this surgery by laparoscopic (keyhole, minimally invasive) technique. While we remove the entire tumor completely, we always try to preserve your ability to use the bathroom normally as well as your sexual health. Please see my video on sphincter preserving surgery for colon cancer with excessively good results and no stoma aswell.

In early tumours, we are usually able to avoid giving any type of stoma (a passage of stools on the abdomen). For advanced tumours also, most patients receiving additional therapy (radiation and chemotherapy) would need a temporary stoma which would be closed once the postoperative treatment is over. Even though there may be some increased frequency of stools initially, over a period of time with good perineal exercises, it improves and patients are able to go back to near normal bathroom habits. Using special laparoscopic and surgical techniques, we are able to preserve ability to pass stools from below in a significant proportion of our patients even with distal rectal cancers avoiding abdominoperineal excision and we are able to avoid a permanent colostomy in most of our patients.

Sometimes, chemotherapy before the surgery helps shrink colon cancer cells. Even radiation in advanced cases has to be considered. For advanced tumors that have spread outside the colon, surgery does not typically cure the condition, but removing larger tumors may reduce symptoms. Targeted therapy & immunotherapy are also added. Please discuss about pros & cons of each option, potential side effects and effectiveness with me and my team. You are in safe hands with us and our team will focus on your quality of life from the very beginning of treatment. Patients with limited spread of tumour to liver can also achieve cure with appropriate multimodality treatment of which carefully done surgery is an integral part. Our team excels at simultaneous removal of both primary cancer and liver metastasis for appropriate patients. Even patients with extensive disease can do well with appropriate multimodality treatment which is quite effective and lead to good and long survivals.

Cancer of the rectum

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum. These cancers can also be called colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common. Both rectal & colon cancer cause almost same symptoms and are diagnosed by a colonoscopy. Surgery is also commonly used to treat rectal cancer. However, rectum can be more challenging to operate. We have performed >500 minimally invasive procedure involving very small incisions, faster recovery & less pain for colon & rectal cancer.

Most colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas. Less common variants are carcinoid tumours, lymphoma, soft tissue sarcoma or gastrointestinal stromal tumours arising in colon and rectum.

We are a team of experts with a commitment towards providing compassionate care and personalized treatment for curing or controlling all forms of colorectal cancer. We have extensive experience in diagnosis & treating hereditary, rare and complex colon cancer cases as well. Collaborative approach with radiation oncology, medical oncology, pathology and our top notch supportive services helps us offer specifically designed treatment plans for patients diagnosed with anal cancer. We have special expertise at targeted radiation to a tumour which avoids damage to healthy tissue.

Cancer of the appendix

The appendix is a thin pouch that is attached to the large intestine. Cancer of the appendix is rare. Appendix cancer can happen in any age group ranging from teenagers to old adults. Not many screening tests are available yet. Surgery is the most common treatment option for appendix cancer. If it is detected at earlier stage, a hemi colectomy done laparoscopically may be sufficient. If tumour has spread, one may need cytoreductive or debulking surgery with peritonectomy. Infact, adding HIPEC (hyper thermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) has added tremendous survival benefit to our patients.

Cancer of the anus

Anal cancer is an uncommon type of cancer that occurs in the anal canal. The anal canal is a short tube at the end of your rectum through which stool leaves your body. Anal cancer can cause signs and symptoms such as rectal bleeding and pain. Most people with anal cancer are treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.