Rectal Cancer Surgery in Mohali
Rectal cancer is a condition in which abnormal cell growth develops in the rectum, the final portion of the large intestine. Management of rectal cancer depends on several factors, including the stage of disease, tumor location, and the patient’s overall health. Surgery is commonly used as part of the treatment plan, often in coordination with other medical services
This page provides general information about rectal cancer and its surgical management.
Understanding Rectal Cancer
The rectum is located between the sigmoid colon and the anal canal and plays a role in stool storage before elimination. Rectal cancer may develop from changes in the lining of the rectum, sometimes beginning as benign polyps that may undergo malignant transformation over time.
Due to the rectum’s anatomical location, treatment planning often requires careful assessment to balance disease control with preservation of bowel function.
Role of Surgery in Rectal Cancer
Surgery is an important component of treatment for rectal cancer in many cases. The objective of surgery is to remove the tumor along with surrounding tissues as required, while following established oncological and surgical principles.
The surgical approach depends on:
- Tumor location within the rectum
- Stage of the disease
- Patient-specific clinical factors
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of rectal cancer can vary and may depend on the size and location of the tumor. In some cases, early stages may not cause noticeable symptoms.
Changes in bowel habits
Blood in stool
Rectal discomfort or pain
Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
Diagnosis of Colon CancerDiagnosis of Rectal Cancer
Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation and investigations, which may include:
- Digital rectal examination
- Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy with biopsy
- Imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans
- Histopathological examination
These investigations help confirm the diagnosis and determine disease extent.
Types of Rectal Cancer Surgery
Based on clinical evaluation, surgical options may include:
Low Anterior Resection (LAR)
Removal of the affected rectal segment with preservation of the anal sphincter, where feasible.
Abdominoperineal Resection (APR)
Removal of the rectum and anus in selected cases, with creation of a permanent colostomy.
Local Excision
For selected early-stage tumors meeting specific criteria.
Minimally Invasive Approaches
Laparoscopic techniques may be considered in appropriate cases.
The choice of procedure is determined after detailed assessment.
Pre-operative Assessment
Before surgery, patients generally undergo:
Prior to surgery, patients generally undergo:
- Detailed clinical evaluation
- Anesthesia fitness assessment
- Relevant laboratory and imaging investigations
This helps ensure appropriate surgical planning and patient safety.
Post-operative Care and Follow-Up
Post-surgical care typically includes:
- Monitoring during hospital stay
- Gradual resumption of diet and activity
- Scheduled follow-up visits
- Coordination with oncology services when required
Ongoing follow-up forms an important part of standard care.
Rectal Cancer: An Intricate Cancer Needing Specific Professionals
Rectal Cancer Surgeon – Cancer happening in the rectum is called rectal cancer. Rectum is the last several inches of the large intestinal tract beginning at the end of the final sector of colon and ends when it gets to the anal canal and opening. Cancer growth or lump inside the rectum (rectal cancer) as well as cancer growth inside the colon (colon cancer) are referred to with each other as “colorectal cancer.”
Rectal as well as colon cancers cells are treated very differently. This is mainly because the rectum is located in a very limited area, hardly divided from various other organs and also frameworks therefore making surgery to get rid of rectal cancer complicated
Signs and Symptoms of Rectal Cancer
- A modification in digestive tract practices like diarrhea, constipation or both; at times there is more-frequent bowel movements
- Dark maroon or bright red blood in feces
- Slim stools
- A sensation that your bowel does not empty totally
- Discomfort in the abdomen
- Inexplicable weight-loss
- Weakness or exhaustion
Examinations to detect as well as confirm rectal cancer
- Rectal cancer can be found throughout a screening examination for intestines cancer or it might be presumed based on signs and symptoms. Nonetheless, specific tests are required to be done to validate cancer and as well as also evaluate the spread of the cancer. These are:
- Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy is done by utilizing a long, adaptable tube (colonoscope) attached to a camera and display to see your colon and rectum. If cancer is found in your intestine, biopsy i.e. a small piece with a biopsy forceps is taken. The tissue is sent to a lab to be examined as well as confirm cancer cells, aggressiveness and genetics in the cancer cells. These will certainly figure out the treatment options.
Tests to Seek Cancer Cells Spread:
- Complete blood count (CBC). A reduced haemoglobin, recommends that a growth is creating blood loss.
- Liver Function Tests. Abnormal degrees of some of these chemicals may suggest that cancer has spread to the liver.
- Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), may be greater than typical in people with colon and rectal cancer. CEA testing is specifically useful in keeping track of success to treatment.
- CT Scan or PET Scan: It assists figure out whether rectal cancer has actually infected other organs, such as the liver and lungs.
- MRI of the pelvis. An MRI offers an in-depth picture of the muscular tissues, organs and various other cells surrounding a rectal tumor within the pelvis. An MRI also shows the lymph nodes near the rectum and anus and various layers of tissue in the rectal and anal wall. This is a really crucial examination to make a decision the sort of therapy to begin with.
- A few other tests might be called for to assess physical fitness for surgery.
Staging of Rectal Cancer
- The stages of anal cancer are suggested by an array from stages ranging from 0 to IV. The I stage suggests cancer cells that are restricted to the lining of the wall within the lumen of the rectum and anus. By phase IV, the cancer is thought to be complex and also has actually spread out (spread) to various other areas of the body.
Rectal Cancer Treatment
- Rectal and anal cancer therapy typically involves a mix of treatments. Surgery is made use of to cut away the cancer. Various other therapies, such as chemotherapy and also radiation treatment, may be used after or before to decrease the danger that cancer will return or make the surgery possible.
- If doctors are concerned that the cancer can’t be gotten rid of totally without removing nearby organs and also structures, a mix of radiation treatment and chemotherapy treatment as preliminary treatment is advised. These combined treatments reduce the cancer and make it easier to eliminate throughout an operation.
Rectal Cancer Surgery
- Surgical procedure is the mainstay of therapy. Which procedure is applicable relies on a particular situation, such as the area as well as stage of cancer, aggressiveness of the cancer cells, general health, and occasionally choices.
Workflow used to treat rectal cancer consist of:
- Extremely small cancers may be gotten rid of utilizing a colonoscope or another specialized sort of scope placed via the rectum (trans anal regional excision). This is utilized in limited scenarios or to get rid of polyps. In some cases, after the biopsy is back, we suggest additional surgical procedure.
- Bigger rectal cancers that are far sufficient far from the anal opening are eliminated in a procedure (anterior resection) that removes all or part of the rectum. Nearby tissue and also lymph nodes are additionally eliminated. This treatment protects the rectum to make sure that waste can leave the body generally.
- For rectal and anal cancers that are located near the anal opening, it is not possible to remove the cancer completely without damaging the muscular tissues that control defecation. In these scenarios, we advise a procedure called (APR) to get rid of the anus, rectum and also some part of the colon, along with nearby tissues and also lymph nodes. An opening in the abdominal area is developed and also affixes the remaining colon (colostomy). Waste is discharged with the opening and also accumulates in a bag that affixes to abdomen.
Chemotherapy for Rectal Cancer
There are lots of reasons why chemotherapy is required and is called for. These are:
- Might be recommended after surgical procedure to kill any type of cancer cells that might remain.
- Radiation treatment integrated with chemotherapy can also be used prior to a procedure to reduce a huge cancer so that it’s less complicated to eliminate with surgical procedure.
- Chemotherapy can likewise be made use of for palliation to control symptoms of rectal and anal cancer that cannot be removed with surgery or that has actually spread to other locations of the body.
Radiation Treatment for Rectal Cancer
- Radiation treatment uses powerful energy resources, such as X-rays and also protons, to kill cancer cells. In people with rectal and anal cancer, radiation treatment is frequently integrated with chemotherapy or It can be utilized after surgical treatment to kill any type of cancer cells that may stay or used before surgery to shrink a cancer cells as well as make it much easier to remove.
- In advanced cases, when surgical procedure isn’t an option, radiation treatment is made use of to eliminate symptoms, such as pain or blood loss.
Combined Radiation Treatment and Also Chemotherapy for Rectal Cancer
- Integrating chemotherapy as well as radiation treatment (chemoradiotherapy) makes cancer cells extra receptive to radiation. Thus this mix is utilized for advanced or bigger rectal cancers and those that have a higher risk of returning after surgical procedure.
Various other modalities for rectal cancer recommended:
- Targeted drug therapy concentrate on some aberrant portion existing within cancer cells. By blocking these abnormalities, targeted medication treatments can cause cancer cells to die. These are normally integrated with radiation treatment. Targeted medicines are scheduled for individuals with advanced rectal and anal cancer.
- Immunotherapy is a drug therapy that uses your body immune system to eliminate cancer. Immunotherapy is generally booked for advanced rectal cancer cells.
- Supportive (palliative) treatment focuses on giving relief from pain and various other signs of extreme as well as advanced cancer.
Conclusion:
- Thus rectal and anal canal cancers are different from other colonic and intestinal cancers because of the location, type and its features. The management is also varied and complex as it will always require the use of all modalities available to us. As surgery remains the mainstay, the other modalities have to be judiciously used to achieve maximum benefits. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy plays a major role in advanced rectal cancers.
- Surgery, the mainstay of treatment also need a particular kind of expertise, which comes with specific training and experience. Surgery has to be performed in a very precise manner in a very difficult area to access because of the narrowness of the pelvis as well the variety of structures around the rectum. Reproductive and urinary systems have to be safeguarded.
- Modern surgery also utilizes use of minimal access surgery. This could be laparoscopic or robotic surgery. The decision to use which modality in what cancers is also another complex area, which requires a very experienced team. It also depends on the stage of the cancer as well as previous surgical history of a patient. We will discuss these modalities separately.
If you are looking for a doctor to do rectal cancer surgery, Dr. Rajeev Kapoor is the right doctor for you. Book your appointment for consultation.
Also Read: Rectal Cancer survivor
About the Author of This Information
Dr. Rajeev Kapoor is a practicing surgeon based in Mohali, Punjab. He provides clinical services in the field of gastrointestinal, colorectal, and general surgery. This website is intended for informational and educational purposes only.
Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment decisions should be made after consultation with a qualified medical professional, based on individual clinical evaluation.
