Colon Cancer Surgery

Removing cancer by surgery is a common first step for patients with colon cancer, and a possible second step after chemotherapy for patients with rectal cancer.

Our surgeons perform more than 90% of colon and rectal surgeries with minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic or robotic procedures. These advanced approaches offer patients several benefits over traditional, open surgery, including:

• Smaller incisions that heal faster with less scarring
• Less pain
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery

Request an appointment

To treat your cancer, our colorectal surgeons may recommend one of the following procedures:

Six questions to ask your colorectal surgeon

• Colectomy removes the portion of the colon containing cancer and reconnects the healthy portions back together. How much of the colon is removed depends on your blood supply, the drainage patterns of your lymph nodes, the tumor’s location and the extent of your disease.
• Colostomy creates a new path for waste to leave the body through the abdominal wall into a colostomy bag, a plastic pouch worn outside the body. This allows the colon and rectum time to heal after surgery to remove the cancer. For most of our patients, the colostomy is temporary and can be reversed with another small surgical procedure.
• Proctectomy removes all or part of the rectum, the last 6 inches of the large intestine. How much of the rectum is removed depends on your tumor's location and extend of your disease.
• Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is performed through the anus for early-stage rectal tumors, or for patients who have other health conditions that make other surgery types too risky for them. Roswell Park is one of few facilities that performs this procedure with robotics, called robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery (rTAMIS), taking the surgical precision to a higher level.
• Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a minimally-invasive procedure performed through an endoscope to remove early tumors of the colon or rectum.
• Lymph node surgery remove the lymph nodes near the portion of the colon or rectum that is removed. These lymph nodes must be analyzed properly to determine whether they contain any cancer cells. Cancer that has spread to lymph nodes means you’ll likely need other treatment beyond surgery, such as chemotherapy.
• Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) is a critical procedure for patients with rectal cancer. This surgery removes the rectum along with the surrounding lymphatic tissue, called the mesorectum. Ensuring complete removal by a skilled surgeon is essential to reduce risk for recurrent cancer.

Advanced, robot-assisted surgery was worth the 3-hour drive to Buffalo for Richard. Read more

Highlights of our surgical expertise

We offer less invasive, advanced surgical options that result in better outcomes and quality of life for years to come.

• High volume proficiency. Roswell Park has performed more than 1,500 robotic colorectal surgery procedures, including more than 200 colectomies, and treats more than 100 rectal cancer patients each year.
• Better chance to maintain normal bowel function. Our surgical experience and mastery of robotic techniques help most patients maintain normal bowel function, avoid a colostomy, and return to normal life more quickly — without compromising cancer outcomes.