Colorectal surgeons treat hundreds of conditions that affect the colon, rectum and anus. These conditions include colon cancer, polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove a tumor or treat an obstruction. In some cases, chemotherapy or radiation may be used in addition to surgery. Contact Copper Mountain Surgical now!
A colorectal surgeon focuses on medical concerns related to the lower portion of the digestive tract, which includes the colon and the rectum. If you have a medical issue with this area of the body, your primary physician or gastroenterologist may refer you to a colorectal surgeon. A colorectal surgeon has advanced training in identifying and surgically treating conditions of the colon, rectum, and surrounding structures. They can also conduct minimally invasive procedures to help relieve symptoms.
A sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy are tests that help identify polyps and other health issues in the colon and rectum. These tests allow your doctor to insert a thin, flexible, lighted tube into the rectum and colon to inspect up to 25 inches of the lower digestive tract. Polyps and other suspicious tissue can be removed during these exams. A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is often done with these tests to detect blood not visible to the naked eye in stool. This can be a sign of polyps, other benign growths, or cancer.
If a colonoscopy shows signs of colorectal cancer, your doctor will order other diagnostic tests to find out how far the tumor has spread. These tests can include a CT or MRI scan of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest, blood work, and a special type of scan called a PET scan. The results of these tests will determine your stage of colon cancer and help guide your treatment plan.
Other conditions that a colorectal surgeon can treat include inflamed, painful, swollen or bleeding hemorrhoids and diverticulosis. Diverticulosis occurs when small pouches develop in the intestinal tract and become inflamed or infected. If you have chronic or severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the diseased section of the bowel and then reattach healthy sections.
If you have a hemorrhoid that won’t go away, your doctor may perform a minimally invasive procedure such as hemorrhoid banding or laser ablation. He or she may also recommend lifestyle changes and medication. Before scheduling an appointment with a colorectal surgeon, ask about their board certification and if they have experience performing the procedure you need. The Adler MicroMed Find a Doctor tool can help you select a colorectal surgeon with the right background and skills for your condition.
Treatment
If your primary care physician has found signs of disease in the colon, rectum or anus, they will refer you to a colorectal surgeon. These specialists diagnose and treat conditions affecting the lower digestive tract such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis and colon and rectal cancer. They use minimally invasive techniques that reduce pain, scarring, and recovery time.
During surgery, your surgeon may remove polyps from your colon or rectum by inserting a long, thin tool with a camera (colonoscope) into the rectum. They also perform surgery to treat a condition called diverticulitis, which is when small, bulging pouches develop in your digestive tract and become inflamed or infected. Your surgeon can repair this problem by removing the diseased segments of your intestine and connecting the remaining sections. They may also use this procedure to repair a condition called rectal prolapse, which is when the colon or anus becomes swollen or falls out of place.
Colorectal surgeons use laparoscopic surgery, which is less invasive than traditional open surgeries. Instead of making one long incision in your abdomen, your surgeon will make several small incisions around the belly button (navel) and insert a long, thin tool with a video camera (laparoscope). This allows them to operate on your intestines without completely opening up your abdomen.
For certain conditions, such as cancer or very early-stage rectal cancer, your surgeon may need to cut through all layers of your colon. This is called a total colectomy. This type of surgery is rarely needed, but it can be used if the tumor is very large or if lab tests show that the cancer might have spread.
Hemorrhoids can be treated with medication or a simple procedure, such as hemorrhoid banding. Your surgeon can also treat inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In these cases, your surgeon can recommend treatment such as dietary changes and physical therapy.
If the doctor suspects colon cancer, they will need to do a more thorough exam to detect it in the earliest stages. They can do this with a colonoscopy or by performing a more-extensive operation called a colectomy, in which they will remove several inches of your colon that contains the tumor and nearby lymph nodes. The surgeon can then reconnect the colon, and in most cases, this procedure will cure you of colon cancer.
Surgery
Your large intestine, or colon, is the last part of the journey food takes through your lower digestive tract. If you have symptoms in this area, a colorectal surgeon can help. They treat conditions involving the colon, rectum and anus, such as hemorrhoids and cancer. They also perform surgeries to relieve blockages and ease painful symptoms. These surgeries are sometimes the first step in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.
A colorectal surgeon can remove polyps during a procedure called a colonoscopy. In this minimally invasive surgery, the surgeon makes several small cuts in your abdominal wall and inserts instruments with attached cameras to see inside your colon. The surgeon can also use this type of surgery to treat enlarged lymph nodes, such as those found in Crohn’s disease.
In a colectomy, the surgeon removes all or part of your colon and some of the tissue on either side of the tumor. They may also take samples of nearby lymph nodes. This is the most common treatment for colon cancer. It can be done with open surgery or using a less invasive technique known as laparoscopy.
If a colon or rectal cancer is advanced, it might not be possible to fully remove all of the tumor. Instead, a colorectal surgeon might remove some of the colon or rectum and connect it to the remaining parts. This is called a partial colectomy or segmental resection. This is more likely to be used for patients with early stage cancers or whose cancer hasn’t spread beyond the colon or rectum.
Sometimes a patient might need a temporary opening in the abdomen, called a stoma, to allow stool to leave the body. Your surgeon might recommend a colostomy or ileostomy. You wear a bag that fits over the opening and collects your waste. Your doctor will talk to you about whether this is temporary or permanent and will refer you to a specialist stoma nurse for support.
If you’re recovering from a colectomy or other types of surgery to treat bowel cancer, you might need to follow a low-residue diet for a few weeks as your intestines heal. This means eating a lot of foods that aren’t high in fiber, such as white bread and rice.
Recovery
Once you’ve had surgery, your recovery will depend on the procedure and your condition. For example, some bowel surgeries take longer to heal than others. In general, you should rest and try not to lift heavy objects until your doctor says it’s safe to do so. You may also experience bloating, changes in your bowel movements, and fatigue during recovery. Talk to your surgeon about any concerns you have and ask for advice.
You might have a temporary ostomy after some colorectal surgeries. If so, your surgeon will tell you when you can schedule a procedure to remove the ostomy. You’ll need to follow a special diet, too, so your doctor can monitor you for any nutritional deficiencies.
Many conditions that affect your lower digestive tract can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. When that doesn’t work, a colorectal surgeon can recommend less invasive surgical procedures.
Colon cancer is one of the most common diseases affecting the lower digestive tract. It’s important to catch colon cancer early so you can receive treatment before the tumor spreads. A colorectal surgeon can diagnose colon cancer using various tests, including a virtual colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.
If you’re diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your doctor will talk to you about the best treatment options for you. Your treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. If your doctor suggests surgery, they may use laparoscopic or robotic techniques. These minimally invasive procedures can help you recover faster and reduce your risk of complications after surgery.
Colorectal surgery treats a wide range of issues that affect the colon, rectum and anus. These conditions can include benign problems like hemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel disease to more serious disorders like colon and rectal cancer.
Whether you have a minor problem or a more serious issue, a colorectal surgeon can help you manage your symptoms. Talk to your primary care physician about your symptoms and ask for a referral to a colorectal surgeon. A colorectal surgeon has specialized training in the lower digestive tract and can offer you the most effective treatment for your conditions.