Your options: What type of surgery is best for you?
Types of colorectal cancer surgery
Minimally invasive surgery
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Remove part of the colon
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Remove the entire colon
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Create an ostomy
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Reconnect and reconstruct the colon, or
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Remove rectal tumors.
Video: The benefits of minimally invasive surgery with Dr. Craig
Having surgery for colorectal cancer used to mean large wounds and a long recovery. Now many patients have other options, according to Dr. Nicholas Craig. Learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.
What to know about surgery types, risks, and preparation
It’s hard to know what questions to ask your doctor. Here is some information to help you work with your doctor to make the best healthcare decisions to treat your colorectal cancer.
Video: A tale of two surgeries
Colorado resident Brittany Sliter's life was turned upside-down by a colon cancer diagnosis at age 23. Hear about her experiences with open and laparoscopic surgery.
Surgical options that help you recover
Discussing your options for surgery can lead to faster and less painful recovery times. Laparoscopic surgery can have many advantages, including less bleeding, less pain, and less need for pain medication. Healing is often easier with minimally invasive surgeries because there are fewer infections and complications with the cuts (“incisions”) than with open surgery. Bowel functions are restored more quickly, which may mean leaving the hospital and getting back to normal sooner. For patients over 65, minimally invasive options can improve the chance of survival, and the surgery options are safe for all patients.
Learn more about minimally invasive surgery here.
What can you expect when you have a colectomy?
A colectomy is the surgical procedure to remove all or part of your colon. Watch this video so you know what to expect.
You are not alone
See how your treatment plan compared to other allies.
Need help finding a second opinion?
We recommend seeking as much advice from different doctors as possible before making a final decision about surgery and treatment options. Some doctors may not be comfortable performing minimally invasive surgery, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the right procedure for you. Check out the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) database to find one of their member surgeons in your area.
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