Surgery

Surgery to remove cancer may be used to treat metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer. The type of surgery chosen depends upon the stage of the cancer. Surgery may be used to remove cancer that is in the colon or rectum. Or surgery may be done to remove cancer that has spread to other organs in the body.

Surgery Choices

Surgical options include:

• Bowel resection. This operation involves cutting into the abdomen to reach the area of the colon or rectum that is affected by the cancer. The surgeon cuts out the cancer as well as the parts of the colon or rectum that are next to it. Then the two healthy ends of the colon or rectum are sewn back together.
• Liver resection. In this operation the surgeon cuts out cancer that has spread to the liver and also cuts out parts of the liver that are next to the cancer. Up to half of your liver can be removed as long as the rest is healthy. If the cancer in your liver is too large to remove with surgery, you may be given chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. If the tumor becomes small enough, it can be removed with surgery.
• Lung, adrenal, or ovarian resection, depending on where the cancer has spread and whether you are a good candidate for this surgery.

If cancer that has returned to your intestine is large, more of your colon or rectum may have to be removed. The ends of your colon or rectum are rejoined during surgery. If they can't be rejoined, you may need a colostomy. Most people do not need a permanent colostomy.

For more information, see:

Bowel Disease: Caring for Your Ostomy.

When cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the kind of surgery you will need depends on where the cancer is and how big the tumor is. Sometimes surgery is used not to cure your cancer but to make your life more comfortable. If a tumor is blocking your colon, for example, the surgeon may remove it to allow your intestine to work normally. If advanced cancer is blocking your rectum, your doctor may place an expandable tube, called a stent, in the rectum to unblock it.

What To Think About

Surgery does not usually cure metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer. But it may relieve pain and discomfort, slow the spread of the disease, and help you live longer.