Colon carcinoma or colorectal cancer or bowel cancer or rectal cancer, is any growth, lump, tumor of the colon and the rectum. It is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth that happens in the cells of the large intestine.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer

• Pain , cramps, or gas in the abdomen

• A lump in the tummy or in the back passage

• Diarrhea or Constipation

• Changes in stool consistency

• Frequent toilet visits

• A feeling of incomplete bowel

• Blood in stool

• Bloating

• A feeling of fullness in the abdomen

• Nausea or Vomiting

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Unexplained iron deficiency in men, or in women after the menopause

Diagnosis of colorectal cancer

The following are the most common screening and diagnostic procedures for colorectal cancer:

• Faecal occult blood test (blood stool test)

• Stool DNA test

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy

• Barium enema X-ray

• Colonoscopy

• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy)

• Ultrasound scan

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Laparoscopic (including laparoscopically assisted) resection for Colon Cancer

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery for colon cancer is performed under general anaesthesia through 3 to 5 small incisions in the abdominal wall. One of the incisions is used to insert the laparoscopic instruments and another one is used to insert a port (nozzle) that fills the carbon dioxide gas into the abdomen to inflate it. This allows better view of the internal organs on the monitor outside. Various surgical instruments are inserted through the other to dissect tissues around the tumour. The tumour is usually removed through an enlarged abdominal incision, the length of which depends on the size of the tumour.

Laparoscopically assisted surgery refers to the procedure in which one of the incisions is enlarged to complete the dissection before the tumour is removed.

Hand-port-assisted laparoscopic surgery involves the use of a hand-port through which a gloved hand is inserted intracorporeally.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Colon Surgery

• Faster recovery

• Only few hours or overnight hospitalization

• Sooner return to work

• Very less pain during and after the procedure

• Smaller incisions without any cut on abdominal muscles

• Negligible risks and complications

• Less chances of wound infection

• Faster return to normal diet

• Earlier return of intestinal function

• Earlier ambulation

Authored By DR.R.K.Sinha