Other Types of Surgery for Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer surgery is not the same for every person. The operation recommended may depend on whether the cancer is in the colon or rectum, how early it is found, whether it has spread and whether the person is fit enough for major surgery.

This article is for general information only. Your surgeon can explain which operation is suitable for your diagnosis and why.

Local Excision

Local excision may be considered for some very early rectal cancers. This type of surgery removes the cancer from the lining of the rectum without removing a large section of bowel.

It is only suitable for selected cases. Your specialist can explain whether this approach is safe and appropriate.

Keyhole Surgery

Keyhole surgery, also called laparoscopic surgery, uses several small cuts instead of one larger cut. It may help some people recover faster, but it is not suitable for everyone.

The decision depends on the cancer, previous surgery, body shape, surgeon experience and medical condition.

Open Surgery

Open surgery uses a larger cut in the abdomen. It may be needed for larger tumours, complex surgery, emergency operations or situations where keyhole surgery is not suitable.

Your surgeon can explain the reason for choosing open or keyhole surgery.

Surgery for More Than One Cancer Area

In some situations, more than one cancer may be found in the bowel. Surgery may need to remove more than one section of bowel, depending on where the cancers are and how much bowel is affected.

This kind of decision usually requires careful planning by a specialist team.

Surgery for Spread Outside the Bowel

If bowel cancer has spread to another area, such as the liver or lung, surgery may sometimes be considered if the spread is limited and can be removed safely.

For more detail, read our Surgery for Advanced Bowel Cancer and Treatment for Advanced Bowel Cancer articles.

Stoma Surgery

Some types of bowel surgery may involve a temporary or permanent stoma. A stoma nurse can help explain how the stoma works and how to care for it.

You may also read our Types of Stoma guide.

Final Thoughts

Other types of bowel cancer surgery may be considered depending on the cancer stage, location and personal health. Ask your surgeon what operation is recommended, what alternatives exist and what recovery may involve.

For more preparation, read our Preparing for Treatment article.