Surgery for cancer in the colon

The most common type of surgery for colon cancer is a colectomy (removal of a part of the colon). Lymph nodes near the cancer and some normal bowel around the cancer are also removed.

The surgeon usually 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 onto the skin. The opening – called a stoma – allows faeces (stools or poo) 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 hemicolectomy The right side of the colon is removed.
	Left hemicolectomy The left side of the colon is removed.
	Sigmoid colectomy The sigmoid colon is removed.
	Subtotal or total colectomy Most or all of the colon is removed.
	Proctocolectomy All of the colon and the rectum are removed.

→ READ MORE: Surgery for cancer in the rectum

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