What Are the Risks of Colon Cancer Surgery?
The decision to have colon cancer surgery, or any kind of surgery, is a big one and should not be made lightly. With that said, surgery is one of the most common treatments for colon cancer, and often results in very positive outcomes if a patient’s tumor is removed before it grows too large. Additionally, there are several types of colon cancer surgery, and numerous factors influence which procedure will be most effective. If your physician recommends you have a colectomy or other form of surgery as part of your colon cancer treatment, it is important to ask them any questions you may have, such as why colon cancer surgery is your best option and what your recovery would be like following the procedure.
Another important consideration when deciding whether or not colon cancer surgery is right for you are the risks that come along with your procedure. Your physician is the best person to ask about the risks of surgery, since these can vary from patient to patient depending on factors like the patient’s overall health, as well as the specific kind of colectomy that is performed. Generally speaking, some risks and side effects of colon cancer surgery include:
- Pain
- Bleeding during or after the procedure
- Infection
- Scar tissue in the abdomen (adhesions)
- Blood clots in the legs
What to do if you decide to have colon cancer surgery
To minimize any risks associated with having a colectomy, it is important to have your procedure performed by an experienced surgeon at a reputable cancer center. For this reason, patients from across the country travel to Moffitt Cancer Center to have colon cancer surgery. Because Moffitt is a high-volume cancer center, our surgeons regularly treat patients with even the most complex cases of colon cancer. Our surgeons are also highly trained in the latest surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures.
To speak with a Moffitt physician about the advantages of having your colon cancer surgery performed at our cancer center, schedule a consultation with or without a referral by calling 1-888-663-3488 or submitting a new patient registration form online.