What You Can Expect After Colon Cancer Surgery
Surgery for Colon Cancer is one of the best treatment options for eliminating the cancer. However, even after a successful surgery, it is still possible for cancerous cells to be present in other parts of the body and even in the rectum. These cells are usually invisible to the naked eye and starting growing with time. It is not uncommon for the cancer to return as its return depends upon the severity of the original cancer and effectiveness of chemotherapy. It is important to take great care after colon cancer surgery so that if any signs of cancer are detected, it can be treated easily and successfully. It is important to have a postoperative follow up program because one in five people who had colon cancer generally develop new polyps after surgery. These polyps are the place where cancerous cells tend to grow in the rectum and are quite hazardous. It becomes necessary to detect all existing polyps in order to eliminate them as soon as possible. Great care and patience is the key to a successful life after colon cancer surgery. A follow up program is necessary because most cancerous growths that reoccur are usually discovered within the first two years after surgery. Therefore, follow up treatment should be more frequent at this point of time. Five years after surgery, the chance of developing new cancerous cells is quite less and follow up treatments are usually done to detect any new polyps. Therefore, the treatment becomes less frequent but is still advisable in order to be on the safe side. After surgery, doctors usually tend to examine the patient every two to three times a month in order to track the progress. Blood tests such as CEA are done in order to detect any new cancerous growths. A blood test is not the only reliable source of information therefore other sorts of tests are performed on the patient. These tests may include flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, chest x-rays, CT scans and ultrasound tests. It is important to know that almost every cancer treatment has bad side effects which can last for a few weeks or several months. Some are even permanent. Therefore you must be prepared to deal with them after colon cancer surgery. It is necessary to discuss the signs and symptoms with your doctor. Another important thing to take care of after surgery is your medical insurance. A lot of people become bankrupt due to cancer reoccurrence. It is a good idea to be prepared incase the cancer reoccurs. Completing surgery for colon cancer can be rewarding yet stressful. If you really want to make sure you stay healthy, you must start taking care from the day the surgery is completed. It will take some time for your confidence and normal lifestyle to return, but it will be worth the wait. |
