The most common surgery for colon cancer is a colectomy (removal of part of the colon, see opposite). Lymph nodes near the cancer are also removed. The surgeon cuts the bowel on either side of the cancer (with a small border of healthy tissue called the margin) and then joins the 2 ends of the bowel back together. This join is called an anastomosis.
Having a stoma
Sometimes one end of the bowel is brought through an opening made in your abdomen and stitched to the skin. Called a stoma, it lets faeces out to be collected in a bag. The stoma is usually temporary, and the operation is reversed later. In some cases, the stoma is permanent. Improved surgical techniques mean fewer people need a permanent stoma. Learn more about stomas.
Types of colectomies
There are different types of colectomies depending on which part of the colon is removed. The surgery may be done as open or keyhole surgery.
 | Right hemicolectomyThe right side of the colon is removed. |
 | Left hemicolectomyThe left side of the colon is removed. |
 | Sigmoid colectomyThe sigmoid colon is removed. |
 | Subtotal or total colectomyMost or all of the colon is removed. |
 | ProctocolectomyAll of the colon and the rectum are removed. |
→ READ MORE: Surgery for cancer in the rectum
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Prof Alexander Heriot, Colorectal Surgeon and Director Cancer Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Director, Lower GI Tumour Stream, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, VIC; Dr Cameron Bell, Gastroenterologist, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW; Graham Borgas, Consumer; Prof Michael Bourke, Director of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Westmead Hospital, The University of Sydney, NSW; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria, VIC; Amanda Connolly, Specialist Bowel Care Nurse, Icon Cancer Centre Windsor Gardens, SA; A/Prof Melissa Eastgate, Operations Director, Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD; Anne Marie Lyons, Stomal Therapy Nurse, Concord Repatriation General Hospital and NSW Stoma Ltd, NSW; Lisa Nicholson, Manager Bowel Care Services, Bowel Cancer Australia, NSW; Stefanie Simnadis, Clinical Dietitian, St John of God Subiaco Hospital, WA; Rafi Sharif, Consumer; Dr Kirsten van Gysen, Radiation Oncologist, The Nepean Cancer and Wellness Centre, NSW; Sarah Williams, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Lower GI, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC.
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