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Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Bowel resection for colorectal cancer

Bowel resection for colorectal cancer

Anatomy of the colon and rectum

The colon and rectum and where they are in the body
slide 1 of 5
slide 1 of 5, Anatomy of the colon and rectum,

The colon and rectum are the last parts of the bowel (intestine). The bowel extends from the opening where food leaves the stomach to the opening where feces leave the body (anus). The bowel helps to process food, absorb nutrients and water, and get rid of waste.

Colon cancer site

Cancer in the wall of the descending colon
slide 2 of 5
slide 2 of 5, Colon cancer site,

Cancer is shown in a section of the descending colon.

Bowel section removed

Section of colon removed
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slide 3 of 5, Bowel section removed,

Resection is another name for any surgery that removes tissue or part of an organ. Bowel resection, also called partial colectomy, for colorectal cancer removes the tumor and part of the colon or rectum around the tumor. Both ends of the bowel section being removed are stapled and cut. Nearby lymph nodes, lymph drainage channels, and blood vessels are also removed.

Bowel reattached

Ways the cut ends of the colon may be reattached
slide 4 of 5
slide 4 of 5, Bowel reattached,

The remaining ends of the bowel are reattached, either end-to-end, side-to-side, or side-to-end.

Surgery scars

Comparison of laparoscopic surgery scars and open surgery scar
slide 5 of 5
slide 5 of 5, Surgery scars,

If you have laparoscopic surgery, you will have 3 to 6 small scars. An example is in the picture on the left. Your surgeon may make 1 or 2 of the small openings a little bigger to allow space to complete the surgery. If so, those scars will be a little longer than the others. If you have an open resection, you will have one long scar. An example is in the picture on the right.

Current as of: October 19, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

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