Surgery is normally the primary treatment for rectal cancer, although radiation and chemotherapy may be used prior to or after any surgery. The kind of surgery used is dependent on the cancer stage, the location, and the goal of the procedure. Based on these factors, here are the surgical options for treating rectal cancer.
What Are the Types of Rectal Cancer Surgeries?
We will focus on minimally invasive types of surgery.
Transanal Local Excision (TAE)
This newer type of surgery works especially well for those with small cancers located near the anus and sphincter which has not spread. It is minimally invasive and performed through the anus rather than an incision in the abdomen.
It is performed with instruments put into the rectum through the anus. It is done with local anesthesia which numbs the area, and the patient remains awake. Our board-certified general surgeons will cut through the layers of the rectum wall to remove the cancer along with some surrounding rectal tissue. The hole in the wall is then closed.
Lymph nodes are not immediately removed during this surgery, therefore radiation and/or chemotherapy may be recommended after the surgery if the cancer has spread deeper into the rectum wall or if it shows any signs it has spread to lymph nodes or other tissue.
Sometimes a more invasive surgery may be needed later.
Rectal Resection Surgery
When a cancer is more advanced, a rectal resection surgery is performed. Colorectal Surgical Associates removes the cancerous part of the rectum along with nearby lymph nodes. This is known as a low anterior resection.
The two healthy parts of the rectum are reattached using minimally invasive techniques. This helps to lessen complications and speed up the recovery.
- One option uses the da Vinci technique with very small and fewer incisions assisted by robotic technology. The instruments are inserted with a tiny camera for viewing as Colorectal Surgical Associates completes the surgery.
- Another option is laparoscopy also using small incisions with long handled tools to perform the surgery while magnified images from the laparoscope are shown on a video screen.
Schedule a Rectal Cancer Consultation in Kansas City
Contact Colorectal Surgical Associates at (816) 941-0800 if you have questions about rectal surgery or would like a second opinion in Kansas City.
Sources: Rectal cancer surgery: Your treatment options and what to expect | MD Anderson Cancer Center
Rectal Cancer Surgery | Side Effects of Rectal Surgery | American Cancer Society
Types of surgery for rectal cancer | Bowel cancer | Cancer Research UK