The colon is about 1.0 to 1.5 m long section of the intestine, which is adjacent to the small intestine. It starts in the right lower quadrant (appendicitis - cecum) and proceeds from there to the top (the colon ancestry), then crosswise (transverse colon) to the left side down (colon descendants), later moving to an s-shaped curve (sigmoid colon ) in the left lower abdomen approximately 16 cm above the anus into the rectum (rectal) over.
The colon is the reabsorption of water and trace elements from the digestive juice of the small intestine, producing a molded solid bowel movement.
What are the causes of the colon tumors?
The exact causes for the emergence of The colon tumors are not known. Genetic changes in individual cells of the colonic mucosa leading to increased growth and division trend. There are still often initially benign polyps, which can then degenerate into malignant tumors of the colon.
There are also hereditary forms of the colon cancer, which require special treatment (so-called familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer).
Finally, specific, long-lasting inflammation of the colon (see also: Inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis) lead to the formation of the colon cancer.
What are typical symptoms of the colon cancer?
The sign of colon cancer is very non-specific, so that elapses among the first signs and the diagnoses are often more than half of a year.
Evidence of a colon tumor may be longer-lasting conspicuous constipation but also diarrhea, bloating or increased wind outlets. The most important sign of a tumor of the colon mucosa and blood deposits are on the stool.
Should be investigated fully with such symptoms of colon: Although the most common cause of an admixture of blood in the stool is haemorrhoids (hemorrhoids, inflammatory diseases of the anal canal and see).
Alternately, any pain, weight loss and anorexia can also be caused by colon cancer.
What tests are used in diagnosing tumor in the colon necessary?
The main examination for the diagnosis and treatment planning of a colon tumor is the colonoscopy (colonoscopy), in a tissue sample can be taken. Alternatively, can also be performed a radiological examination after administration of a contrast medium enema (colonic enema). For tumors in the sigmoid colon also is a reflection of the rectum (proctoscopy) is required by a surgeon. For the avoidance of possible metastases (metastasis), an ultrasound examination of the liver and a chest X-ray is performed.
The majority of these studies can be performed as an outpatient. If the written reports of findings or x-rays be taken, these studies must be repeated, of course.
What purpose does the surgery and what surgery is performed?
The goal of surgery is to remove the tumor with an adequate safety margin and the removal of lymph nodes, which could be affected by a cancer tumor.
Depending on the location of the tumor, the remote part of the intestine between 15 cm and 1 m in length. The extent of the resection will be discussed in detail with each patient before surgery.
The two remaining intestine ends are connected after removal of the affected intestinal segment by a seam. The surgery is usually done by an approximately 20 cm long vertical incision in the middle of the abdomen. In appropriate cases, surgery can be performed in minimally invasive technique under video endoscopic control over several smaller cuts.
See also: through the keyhole surgery, which is minimally invasive surgery?
What surgical technique is useful to be decided by the surgeon for each patient individually? The surgery takes 1-3 hours.
Only with far advanced cancer or in complex emergency surgery a colostomy is required.
What preparation is required for surgery?
Prerequisite for a healthy recovery after the colon resection, careful preparation of the patient.
This includes not only general measures to improve heart and lung function (absence of cigarette smoking, breathing exercises with specific breathing coach, climbing stairs), especially the complete stool from the colon. This happens at least one day before surgery with the help of a special drink solution.
In addition, the abdominal skin using a cream hair is freed.
What complications are possible after the colon resection?
All sorts of complications and the risk that they occur are discussed in detail with the patient before surgery.
Beyond the immediate success of the operation decides whether the seam of the two remaining ends of bowel (anastomosis) healed without problems. A rare malunion of the intestinal suture may be expelled from colonized bacteria bowel into the abdominal cavity and thus lead to peritonitis. Such peritonitis can have life threatening consequences.
For this reason, the production of intestinal suture, a highly standardized and carried out with extreme precision of the operation. The rupture of the intestinal suture is fortunately very rare. Get as even a surgery on very well cleaned intestine still bacteria into the abdominal cavity, the station doctors eighth after the operation, particularly the signs of wound infection. Other complications that can occur with any procedure at an institution of the abdominal cavity is bleeding, injury to adjacent organs, angulation of the intestine and adhesions.
See also: What are the general risks and complications have a surgery in general?
Are there special techniques that are available in our hospital?
In suitable patients, the colon resection by 2-12 mm small incisions are made under video endoscopic control.
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ReplyDeleteColorectal cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. More than 90 percent of people with this disease are diagnosed after age 50.