Colorectal surgery tries to remove as much of the cancer as possible. We use the least invasive procedures available to help you feel better faster. Our surgeons and gastroenterologists specialize in advanced endoscopy, which allows them to examine the large intestine and perform minimally invasive procedures.

We offer several types of polyp and colon resection (removal) surgeries:

• Polypectomy: Your doctor removes polyps from the large intestine, usually during a colonoscopy. For larger, hard to reach polyps, our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive techniques.
• Colectomy: Experienced surgeons remove the area of the colon with cancer. Since the colon is part of one long tube, surgeons connect the remaining sections of the colon together. Nearby lymph nodes are also removed in case the cancer has spread.
• Colostomy: Surgeons perform this type of colon resection when connecting the parts of the colon is not an option. Instead, surgeons reconnect the colon to an opening that goes outside the body into a waste bag. This “diverts” digestion away from the rest of the digestive tract (the rectum and anus).

Tumor ablation therapies use minimally invasive methods to destroy colorectal cancer cells that have spread to other organs, such as the liver. Guided by imaging of the body, these methods inject cancer-killing treatment directly into the tumor while you are sedated. Ablation can be an effective alternative to surgery.

Our ablation techniques to kill cancer cells include:

• Cryoablation (cryosurgery), which freezes cancer cells using a cold gas
• Ethanol ablation, which injects ethanol, a concentrated alcohol, into the tumor
• Microwave ablation, which delivers microwaves to the tumor that heat the cells
• Radiofrequency ablation, which heats the tumor cells using high-frequency (high in energy or heat) radio waves

Radiation therapy uses a high-energy X-ray (radiation) to treat colorectal cancer and prevent its spread. This therapy works to target cancer cells while minimizing harm to the surrounding healthy cells. Radiation therapy is painless and safe. You will not be radioactive afterward and can safely be around others.

Radiation therapy can be external or internal. You may receive one or a combination of different types of radiation therapy.

Some treatment plans involve both surgery and radiation. Both external and internal radiation therapy can be given during your surgery to target any remaining cancer cells.

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) uses machines that move around your body for a few minutes to deliver radiation to the tumor. The machines do not touch you and you can’t feel the radiation as it works. A radiation specialist may deliver radiation beams in different ways, including:

• 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), which uses imaging of the tumor to match the angles of the radiation beams to the exact shape of the tumor
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which works like 3D-CRT while also customizing the strength of each beam
• Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR/SBRT), which is a very powerful form of radiation given in just 5 or less treatments (also called stereotactic body radiation therapy)

Internal radiation therapy, or brachytherapy, is a treatment for rectal cancer. This treatment places a small implant in the rectum that emits radiation. Depending on the strength of the radiation, the implant may remain in your body for a couple hours or up to several days.

Since this method so precisely targets the tumor, it especially limits harm to healthy cells. Types of internal radiation therapy include:

• Interstitial radiation, which places the implant in or near the tumor
• Intracavitary radiation, which places the implant in the space, or cavity, of the rectum

We offer another advanced type of internal radiation therapy for colon cancer that has spread to the liver. This therapy, called radioembolization or Y90, combines radiation with embolization, a technique that blocks blood flow to the tumor. Radioembolization inserts small radioactive beads into the blood vessels near the tumor to kill cancer cells.

Cancer medications shrink or kill cancer cells to stop the spread of cancer. Your doctor can prescribe the medications in pill form or as an injection into your veins. As a result, they circulate throughout your entire body.

If given before surgery, cancer medications can shrink the tumor to make surgery more successful. If given after surgery, the medications kill any remaining cancer cells.

Types of colorectal cancer medications include:

• Chemotherapy: These powerful cancer medications usually treat more advanced cancer. Chemotherapy works by stopping cancer cells from growing.
• Immunotherapy: This therapy uses the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells. The immune system naturally protects the body from harmful toxins and disease.
• Targeted therapy: Each type of this medication attacks a specific type of cancer cell. Since it’s so focused, this therapy may cause fewer side effects than other medications.

Our team at the Cancer Pain Management Center understands the impact pain can have on your functioning and independence. You can access a variety of therapies and medications to ease any pain from colorectal cancer. We focus on treating your physical and mental wellbeing to restore your quality of life.