Colorectal Cancer Treatment in Kansas City

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men and women. It includes both cancers of the colon and the rectum. Most colorectal cancer begins as polyps, which are abnormal growths of tissue cells. Typically, polyps are benign. But over time, they can develop into cancer. While colon and rectal cancers are similar in many ways, their treatments are different.

At Colorectal Surgical Associates we offer the most up-to-date care for patients and will take the necessary steps to determine your colorectal health and wellness. If you are experiencing symptoms of colorectal cancer, please call (816) 941-0800 to meet with our colorectal surgeons for screening and treatment today. Colorectal Surgical Associates has four convenient locations for patients located in Kansas City, including Gladstone, Overland Park, Independence, and Lee’s Summit.

Causes

People with a family history of colorectal cancer have a higher risk of developing it. Other risk factors are:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Diet high in fat and refined carbohydrates
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Older age, although rates are increasing among those under 50
• History of inflammatory bowel disease
• History of noncancerous colon polyps
• Diabetes
• Inflammatory intestinal conditions, e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
• African-American race

Symptoms

Many do not experience symptoms in the early disease stages, which is why regular colorectal caner screenings are essential.  Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Change in bowel habits, e.g., diarrhea, constipation, change in stool consistency
• Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, e.g., cramps, gas, pain
• Feeling that bowel doesn’t empty completely
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Symptoms of rectal cancer include:

• Change in bowel habits, e.g., diarrhea, constipation, frequency
• Dark maroon or bright red blood in stool
• Narrow stool
• Feeling that bowel doesn’t empty completely
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Diagnosis 

Cancer can be discovered during a colonoscopy screening test for colorectal cancer. If any suspicious areas are present, tissue samples are taken for analysis. 

Treatment

Surgery for early-stage colon cancer includes:

• Polypectomy – Polyps are removed during a colonoscopy. A wire loop is passed through the colonoscope and placed around the base of the polyp. An electrical current is passed through the wire to sever the polyp from the colon wall.
• Local Excision – Just like a polypectomy, this procedure removes harmful polyps. The main difference is the local excision removes part of the colon tissue. This is only necessary when cancer has begun to affect the colon lining. This minimally invasive technique is performed without making incisions in the abdomen which allows patients to recover more quickly and lowers the risk of complications.

A colectomy is performed for more advanced colon cancer when a substantial part of the colon, or the entire colon, needs to be removed.

• Partial Colectomy – Also known as a Segmental Resection, this removes a portion of the colon. After the necessary tissue has been removed, the surgeon will attach the remaining ends of the colon to one another.
• Total Colectomy – This removes the entire colon and is used to treat more chronic conditions like ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis.

When a colectomy is performed, nearby lymph nodes are also removed and tested for cancer.

Treatment options include targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery to remove the rectum and nearby lymph nodes, or a combination of these options depending on the type of cancer and how far it has advanced.

Treatment of Rectal Cancer

If rectal cancer is detected early, a transanal local excision can be performed through the anus without an incision to the abdomen.

Rectal resection surgery can also be performed in which our surgeons remove the diseased section of the rectum, plus nearby lymph nodes. This is called a low anterior resection. After removing the diseased section, the two healthy parts of the intestine are reattached. We utilize a minimally invasive approach to speed recovery and minimize complications versus traditional open surgery performed through an abdominal incision. There are two surgery options:

• Robotic-assisted surgery  – Made possible with da Vinci® technology, fewer, smaller incisions are made for insertion of surgical equipment and a camera for viewing to complete the procedure.
• Laparoscopic – Again, using small incisions, long-handled tools are inserted to perform surgery while viewing magnified images from the laparoscope (camera) on a video screen.

Following either surgery, these subsequent treatments may also be prescribed: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted drug therapy.