The rate of colorectal cancer is rising among adults between their 20s and 40s. This rate is, however, declining in the 55-plus age group. It means that a lot of adults who are yet to build families and carriers face a risk of this deadly condition. In most cases, they struggle with the idea of taking off and undergo treatment or surgery.
Furthermore, several experts raise concerns about the long-term impact on the quality of life after colorectal cancer surgery. This surgery most typically results in the creation of an opening in the abdomen to divert the flow of wastes from the lower diseased part of the GI tract. This lower part includes the rectum and anus. The waste then falls into a bag attached to the skin around the opening. It is called a colostomy bag.
Contrary to what most people believe, 80% to 90% of patients undergoing to remove a tumor from their intestinal tract will not need an ileostomy or colostomy. Doctors have been able to detect cancers earlier and remove them with high precision. Such a procedure often eliminates the need to wear an ostomy bag.
What may come as good news is that even a permanent ostomy doesn’t stop patients from doing what they love. In most cases, an ostomy is not even visible to anyone else.
Advanced surgery that can eliminate the need for an ostomy
Surgeons are now using an advanced procedure through which they spare sphincter muscles during surgery, even if they have to remove a tumor close to the anal canal.
A study based on the data between 1990 and 2010 suggests that about 67% to 73% of patients receiving colorectal cancer treatment underwent sphincter-sparing surgery. It is, however, worth mentioning that this procedure requires expertise beyond general surgery. So, you would need to consult a specialist surgeon if you want to have this treatment.
Before this surgery, doctors have to locate a tumor concerning a line that distinguishes between the rectum and anus. A patient is a candidate for this procedure if the tumor in his rectum is not growing into the sphincter muscles.
During surgery, the surgeon will disconnect the rectum from the anus and remove the tumor and surrounding cells. It may require an abdominal and anal approach during the procedure. After removing the cancer-affected part of the rectum along with the fat and lymph nodes, the surgeon will join the colon and the anal canal. This procedure eliminates the need to wear an ostomy bag after the procedure. You may have to have a temporary colostomy until the surgery site recovers.
A temporary ostomy will stay on your abdomen for 6-16 weeks, depending on your speed of healing. It also depends on whether or not the patient will have to undergo chemotherapy.
After the surgeon reverses your stoma, you can go to the toilet like everyone else. It will take some time for you to adapt to a bowel movement routine without your rectum. If you have any concerns or questions, you can ask your doctor or ostomy care nurse.
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