Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal surgery is a medical/surgical speciality that deals with the diagnosis and treatment problems along the gastrointestinal tract, in the rectum, anus or colon. Colorectal surgery may also be necessary following injury or ischemia which refers to restricted or limited blood flow in an area of the body.

Our highly experienced Colorectal consultants will provide you with their clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating conditions such as haemorrhoids, piles, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colon and rectal cancer, anal bleeding and persistent diarrhoea. With access to a world-class facility and diagnostic imaging, the Colorectal team offers a fully comprehensive service.

Colorectal Cancer

The most common reason for colorectal surgery is colorectal cancer. As with other forms of cancer, colorectal cancer is a disease where cells in the colon or rectum grow uncontrollably. Whilst the exact cause of this cancer remains unknown, there are a number of factors that can increase risk:

Age
Diet
Weight
Exercise
Family history
Alcohol
Smoking

Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon called polyps. While not all polyps will become cancerous, in some instances they do over time. The likelihood of a polyp turning into cancer depends on the type of polyp, how large it is and how many polyps there are.

If the polyp is cancerous, it can grow into the wall of the colon, progressing into the blood vessels or lymph vessels through which they can travel to nearby lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.

There are 3 main symptoms of colorectal cancer:

Persistent blood in your faeces
Persistent change in bowel habits
Constant lower abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort

Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment at New Victoria Hospital

Following a referral to New Victoria Hospital, you will have a consultation with one of our Consultant Gastroenterologists or Colorectal Surgeons. Initial investigations will often involve one of a number of bowel cancer screening examinations.

A colonoscopy is one of the most informative screening examinations and will help determine whether a gastrointestinal tract issue is cancer or otherwise. If polyps are discovered, they can sometimes be removed during the colonoscopy. If the polyps are cancerous however, your consultant will advise you on the best course of treatment. Following a biopsy, colorectal surgery is usually the best mode of treatment for colorectal cancer, often accompanied by chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological treatments, depending on specifics of the diagnosis.

As with all forms of cancer, recovery time depends on how far the cancer has developed before diagnosis. If the cancer is purely confined within the bowel, colorectal surgery will usually be able to remove it.