Colorectal Cancer Surgery
A colorectal cancer diagnosis can be frightening, but expert surgeons at Adventist Health offer hope for healing.
Our services include research-based techniques that are gentler on your body and sophisticated procedures that preserve many patients’ ability to have a bowel movement. We care for your body, mind and spirit.
What is colorectal cancer?
This group of conditions occurs when abnormal cells grow out of control. Cancer in this area and side effects of treatment can affect organs that enable you to have a bowel movement.
This includes your:
- Colon: Absorbs fluid and nutrients from digested food
- Rectum: Stores solid waste (feces) before you remove it through a bowel movement
- Anal sphincter: Keeps the rectum closed until you are ready for a bowel movement
- Anus: Body opening through which feces leaves the body
Expertise in colorectal cancer surgery
Our team includes general surgeons with experience treating different stages of colorectal cancer. You have access to advanced techniques, like laparoscopic and robotic surgery, that remove hard-to-reach cancers while preserving nearby healthy tissue.
Our expertise helps more patients enjoy an excellent quality of life after treatment. This includes maintaining bowel control and avoiding a permanent colostomy (opening in your abdomen through which feces leaves the body).
Techniques that preserve your ability to have a bowel movement include:
- Sphincter preserving techniques: Surgeons use special methods to remove rectal cancer while protecting the anal sphincter. They then connect the remaining healthy part of the intestines to the rectum.
- Organ-sparing colon cancer surgery: Surgeons remove cancer but not healthy rectum tissue. They then connect the remaining healthy part of the intestines to the rectum.
- Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS): Our experts perform colorectal surgery using tiny instruments and a camera. Instead of making incisions, we slide these devices through the anus.
Comprehensive cancer care
Adventist Health is home to a multidisciplinary cancer team that provides comprehensive care, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy for colorectal cancer.
These therapies may improve the treatment results from surgery, so we work closely with cancer specialists to plan every step of your care. Our coordinated approach helps you receive the care that you need precisely when you need it.
Our whole-person approach includes support and additional therapies that help you heal, body, mind and spirit.
What to expect from colorectal cancer surgery
We provide all the information you need to feel prepared for your procedure. Learn more by reading our general surgery patient resources.
Surgeons discuss the type of procedure you need and how it can help you. We also explain what to expect during recovery. Our team is here for you through every step of your care.
Colorectal cancer surgery procedures we perform
Colorectal cancer surgery at Adventist Health may include:
- Laparoscopic and robotic colon or rectal resection: Removing the diseased part of the colon or rectum
- Lymph node dissection: Taking a sample of nearby glands (lymph nodes) if there’s a concern the cancer has spread
Complications in colorectal cancer surgery are rare. When they occur, people turn to our team for help. Even if the original surgery was not in one of our hospitals, we can help you. We perform re-operative procedures that repair issues, including intestinal blockages and leaks.
Let us be your partner in health
Learn more about our general surgery services, find a location near you or find a local doctor specializing in general surgery.