Bowel cancer is becoming more common, which is thought to relate to changes in diet, lifestyle and environment. It begins when cells in the bowel wall multiply abnormally, usually forming a tumour. Most people diagnosed are aged 55 or older, although it does occur younger.
Once a cancer is confirmed, surgery to remove the affected segment of bowel is the main treatment. There are two broad approaches.
Laparoscopic surgery
Also called keyhole or minimally invasive surgery. Several small cuts are used instead of one long one. A laparoscope, a thin flexible tube carrying a light and camera, passes through one of the incisions so the operation can be performed while watching a magnified view on screen. Recovery is generally quicker and hospital stays shorter.
Open surgery
A larger incision is used to reach the tumour directly. Depending on where the cancer sits and how far it has spread, the surgeon removes the affected section or, less often, the whole colon. Open surgery remains the right choice in some situations, including significant scarring from previous operations.
Why timing matters
As with any cancer, early detection changes the outlook. People treated while the disease is at an early stage are far more likely to make a full recovery. Outcomes also depend on age, the extent of spread and the part of the bowel involved. Professor El-Khoury will explain which option applies to you and why.
Every cancer case is reviewed at a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting before a plan is finalised, so surgical, medical and nursing perspectives all contribute to your treatment.
Professor El-Khoury will talk through the operation with you in the rooms, covering why it is being recommended, what it involves, the risks and the benefits. He also provides Royal Australasian College of Surgeons information sheets on the procedure so you can read them at home and bring questions back.
This page is general information, not medical advice. What applies to you depends on your history, your examination and your results. Bring your questions to the consultation.