Laparoscopic colonic cancer surgery is the standard of care today. Extensive evidence exists to prove that laparoscopic colon cancer surgery is safe and effective. In the hands of expert laparoscopic cancer surgeons the disease clearance is proven to be better than conventional open surgery. Laparoscopic colon cancer surgery is less traumatic to the patients and is better accepted by patients. Most of our patients are discharged within 4 days of surgery.
Colonic cancers can come with anemia due to slow loss of blood or with obstruction to bowel. However, these symptoms occur only when the disease is infiltrated locally. Screening methods are available that can detect colonic and rectal cancer before symptoms appear (stage 0). When detected early, these cases can be cured with much simpler surgery.
Symptom of colon cancer depends on the location of the tumor in the colon (ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon).
- Change in bowel habits like diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
- Bright red or very dark blood in the stool
- Narrow stools
- Vomiting, gas pains, bloating, fullness, and cramps
- Unexplained weight loss
- Chronic fatigue
- Anemia
People with any of the above symptoms should seek medical help. Stool occult blood test detects small amounts of blood in stool which may indicate colonic cancer. Colonic cancer is diagnosed by colonoscopy. A biopsy is performed during these procedures to prove the diagnosis.
