Colon Cancer Treatment and surgery in Delhi, India

The large intestine starts with the colon, which is about 5 feet long and ends in the rectum and anal canal. Caecum and ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon are four parts of the colon.

Colon cancer arises when cells in the colon develops mutations, becomes cancerous (malignant), begin to multiply out of control, form a mass and then spreads. Colon cancer begins in the innermost layer, the mucus-producing cells that line the colon.

Most colorectal cancers start as small mounds of flesh called polyps. Over time, some of these polyps develop into colon cancer.

Some stage IV cancers have spread limited to few spots of cancer in the lung, liver and peritoneum. If both colon and all these spots can be safely removed, then surgery can attempt to cure the disease. Besides colectomy, such patients undergo liver resection, lung resection or cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC.

Laparoscopic, minimally invasive, or keyhole surgery is an important innovation and is beneficial for the patient in several ways. In laparoscopic surgery, we make a few small holes called ports over the abdomen. One of them is used to insert a slender high-resolution camera that projects a magnified view of the inside of the abdomen onto a high definition monitor. The rest of the ports are used for long and thin instruments. The surgeon deftly manoeuvres the instruments looking at the monitor.

Post-operative stress and pain are markedly reduced, leading to a faster recovery and shortened hospital/ICU stay. The amount of blood loss in the process of surgery has decreased. There is a quicker return of intestinal movement. The overall complication rate is decreased. All this results in an earlier return to home and work.

Robotic surgery combines a surgeon's expertise with advanced robotic technology, featuring a 3D high-definition camera for enhanced vision. The system includes a surgical console for the surgeon and robotic arms with instruments that can maneuver in ways the human hand cannot, making it easier to operate in confined spaces. During the procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen and inserts ports for the robotic arms and instruments. A camera is also inserted through one port to provide a clear internal view. The surgeon controls the robotic arms from the console, while an assistant helps by managing instruments and providing support.

The best treatment for Colon cancer is surgery, if it is possible. Surgery should only be considered if the tumor can be completely removed, as partial removal does not improve patients' chances of living longer. In some cases, complete removal of tumour is possible after a few cycles of chemotherapy.

Advanced stage 4 colon cancers are treated with chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.