Colon cancer is a serious disorder that saw over 140,000 new cases in 2021. While the condition causes considerable symptoms — unlike some other types of cancer — it’s still important to get checked for it, especially if you are over the age of 45.
But if you already know you’re suffering from colon cancer and it’s time to seek treatment, what are the best surgical options, and how can you better understand them?
At Boca Care Surgical Associates, we provide surgical treatments for colon cancer in the form of both colectomy and ostomy procedures. Avraham Belizon, MD, FACS, FASCRS, performs many of these surgeries and feels strongly that it can be helpful for a patient to understand their purpose before the treatment process even begins.
A colectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part of the colon. It’s done if you’re suffering from colon cancer and need to have the affected portion of this part of your body removed. This is usually reserved for advanced stage cancer, although other problems that can be treated with a colectomy include:
In the case of cancer, Dr. Belizon removes the affected portion of the colon and reconnects the healthy segments that have been separated. Hospitalization for several days to a week is common after this procedure.
After the procedure, most people are eventually able to return to their day-to-day activities. This includes work, leisure time, and hobbies like sports. However, you’ll need to take your time with recovery and follow Dr. Belizon’s instructions to ensure a safe recuperation.
An ostomy — or a colostomy for our purposes — is done when Dr. Belizon determines there isn’t enough healthy tissue of the colon to reconnect it as he would during a colectomy. Instead, he makes a small opening in the abdominal wall to allow the colon to send waste outside the body. This waste is then deposited into a bag.
Many people live with ostomies and have happy, full lives. While the idea of the procedure may seem overwhelming, you will be shown exactly how to care for the colostomy and receive answers to any questions you may have before the procedure occurs. In some cases, the ostomy is temporary, but in others, it may not be.
Without knowing your unique situation, it can be difficult to say with certainty whether a partial colectomy or an ostomy will be necessary for your treatment. Different individuals require different types of care, and depending on how much unaffected tissue you have left and if your bowels will need time to heal, you may or may not need an ostomy.
However, Dr. Belizon will discuss with you all the different effects, benefits, and circumstances present with your situation and help you understand the need for a partial colectomy, a temporary ostomy, or a permanent ostomy. After the surgery is over, additional treatments, like chemotherapy, may be necessary as well.
You can feel more prepared with information about how your surgery works and what to expect going forward. We’ll be here with you every step of the way!
Our Boca Raton, Florida, office provides everything from consultations to diagnosis to surgical procedures and recovery visits. To make an appointment, visit us online, or call today.
