It can take quite some time to heal after receiving a colon cancer treatment. The recovery period generally lasts from several weeks to two months. According to the National Institutes of Health, the type of colorectal cancer treatment a patient receives depends on the stage of the disease. A common treatment for colon cancer is surgery.
Surgery is used to get rid of the cancer during its early stages, or to provide relieve from the discomfort the disease causes during the more advanced stages. According to ehealthM.D, colon cancer surgery is usually a major operation. However, most patients are able to eventually resume their normal activities.
Types of Surgery
Four different surgeries are used as a colon cancer treatment. A colonoscopic excision involves the use of a colonoscope to remove cancer from the colon during its early stages. The colonoscope allows surgeons to thoroughly examine the patient's colon to get a precise assessment of the cancer. It can also be used to remove polyps, which is a procedure known as a polypectomy.
Another colorectal cancer treatment is known as the local excision, which is used for small cancers in the rectal area. This surgery is generally performed on the anus to remove cancerous tissue in that region. The tissue will then be examined by doctors to determine how far advanced the cancer is.
A bowel resection is a procedure in which surgeons remove the part of the bowel that contains the cancer. Tissue near the bowel may also be taken to ensure that all of the cancer has been eliminated. Surgeons will then re-connect the two ends of the bowel. This part of the procedure is called anastomosis.
An abdominoperineal resection is sometimes used to treat the more advanced colon cancers that can't be treated with a small incision. This treatment for colon cancer involves the removal of the anal canal and rectum. This procedure is rarely used, due to new advances that have been in medical technology.
Recovery
Most patients will remain in the hospital for several days following colon cancer surgery. For many days, the intestines will not function and the patient will receive intravenous fluids in order to stay hydrated. The patient will not be able to eat food for the first week. Pain medication will be administered through an intravenous pump, which the patient can control. After the intestines begin functioning again, the patient can start eating liquid foods.
The recovery period from colon cancer treatments can last as long as two months. During this time, a patient should not lift heavy objects. Doing so can lead to a herniation, or tear abdominal muscles. The patient can get advice from a physician on how to slowly begin exercising to strengthen the abdominal muscles.
A high fiber diet is recommended for patients who have are in the process of recovering from colon cancer treatments. Foods that are rich in fiber include whole wheat, bran, bananas, and legumes. This can help get the digestive system working properly again. Eating rice, applesauce, and bananas can alleviate diarrhea, which some patients experience after receiving a colorectal cancer treatment.
 |
