Surgery for Cancer in the Colon

Surgery for cancer in the colon is one of the main treatments for many people with colon cancer. The operation usually removes the section of colon containing the cancer, nearby lymph nodes and a small amount of healthy tissue around the tumour.

This article is for general information only. Your surgeon can explain the operation recommended for your diagnosis and what recovery may involve.

What Is a Colectomy?

A colectomy is an operation to remove part or all of the colon. The type of colectomy depends on where the cancer is located. Examples may include right hemicolectomy, left hemicolectomy, sigmoid colectomy or subtotal colectomy.

After the affected section is removed, the surgeon may join the healthy ends of bowel together. This join is called an anastomosis.

Open or Keyhole Surgery

Colon cancer surgery may be done as open surgery or keyhole surgery. Keyhole surgery uses smaller cuts, while open surgery uses a larger cut in the abdomen.

The best approach depends on the cancer, medical condition, previous operations and surgeon assessment.

Lymph Nodes

During colon cancer surgery, nearby lymph nodes are often removed and examined. This helps doctors understand the stage of the cancer and whether further treatment may be recommended.

For staging information, read our Staging Bowel Cancer article.

Will a Stoma Be Needed?

Some people need a temporary or permanent stoma after colon surgery, but not everyone does. A stoma may be needed if the bowel cannot be safely joined or if healing needs protection.

For more information, read our Having a Stoma and How the Stoma Works guides.

Recovery After Colon Surgery

Recovery may include wound healing, gradual return to eating, bowel habit changes, fatigue and follow-up appointments. Some people recover quickly, while others need more time.

Ask your healthcare team about activity limits, diet, pain relief, warning signs and when you can return to normal routines.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects can include pain, infection, bleeding, blood clots, bowel changes, fatigue or complications related to the bowel join. Report symptoms such as fever, worsening pain, vomiting, heavy bleeding or severe diarrhoea quickly.

You may also read our Risks of Bowel Surgery article.

Final Thoughts

Surgery for cancer in the colon is planned based on tumour location, stage and personal health. Ask your surgeon what type of colectomy is recommended, whether a stoma is possible and what follow-up care you will need.

For more treatment information, visit our Treatment for Early Bowel Cancer guide.