“Is it worth it to have colon resection surgery?”
My doctor recommended surgery for my colon cancer. Is it worth it to have colon resection surgery?
8 Answers
This is an important question to answer in discussion with your surgeon and your oncologist, who frequently meet (together with pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists) in "tumor boards" to discuss cases and treatment options. The decision to operate depends on the health of the patient and the benefit of the surgery which arises from the STAGE of the colon cancer presentation. The stage describes how far the cancer has spread, along clinically demonstrated important criteria. The stages are described differently for every cancer.
Classic colon adenocarcinoma can be potentially cured by surgery for stages 0-3, but not typically in stage 4. In short, the details of the case matter very much.
Classic colon adenocarcinoma can be potentially cured by surgery for stages 0-3, but not typically in stage 4. In short, the details of the case matter very much.
Absolutely. Colon cancer is a survivable problem if you can resect the tumor. It is lethal if you can't. If your goals include extending your life, than do it.
Yes. You will need to have surgery followed by chemotherapy if the cancer is advanced.
It would be life threatening not to have a colon resection. My wife had a colon cancer 8 years ago and her life was saved by having a colon resection.
Yes!
Your doctor recommended the standard treatment for a biopsy proven colon cancer. Without the resection, the cancer can spread and become non-treatable.
Yes, it is absolutely worth having the surgery. The only time it may not be worth it is if the cancer has spread to the liver or other organs, but if the cancer is confined to the colon, surgery is still the # 1 treatment.
Best wishes,
William L. Diehl, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Best wishes,
William L. Diehl, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Colon cancer is a very treatable cancer in the earlier stages. Surgery is usually recommended as surgery alone could lead to a cure. Surgery for colon cancer has advanced significantly - where minimally invasive techniques including robotics as well as enhanced recovery pathways allow for quick recovery with minimal discomfort.
Another important reason to have surgery is that many times, there is microscopic disease in the surrounding lymph nodes that cannot be seen on imaging. By removing the lymph nodes along with the colon and the cancer, a full cancer picture can now be obtained - dictating whether or not chemotherapy will be recommended.
Another important reason to have surgery is that many times, there is microscopic disease in the surrounding lymph nodes that cannot be seen on imaging. By removing the lymph nodes along with the colon and the cancer, a full cancer picture can now be obtained - dictating whether or not chemotherapy will be recommended.
