Local excision
People who have very early-stage rectal cancer or are not fit for a major operation may have a local excision. The surgeon puts an instrument into the anus to remove the cancer from the lining of the rectum, along with a margin of healthy tissue, without cutting into the abdomen. Methods include:
- transanal excision (TAE)
- transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS)
- transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS).
If there are two cancers
In a small number of people, 2 separate cancers may be found in the large bowel at the same time. The cancers may be discovered through tests or during surgery. In this case, there are several options for surgery, including to remove:
- 2 sections of the bowel
- one larger section of the bowel that includes both areas with cancer
- all of the colon and rectum (proctocolectomy) to prevent any chance of another cancer forming.
The type of surgery your doctor recommends depends on several factors, including your age, where the tumours are in the bowel, genetic and other risk factors, and your preferences.
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More resources
A/Prof David A Clark, Senior Colorectal Surgeon, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, QLD, The University of Queensland and The University of Sydney; Yvette Adams, Consumer; Dr Cameron Bell, Gastroenterologist, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW; Katie Benton, Advanced Dietitian Cancer Care, Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Queensland Health, QLD; John Clements, Consumer; Dr Fiona Day, Medical Oncologist, Calvary Mater Newcastle, NSW; Alana Fitzgibbon, Clinical Nurse Consultant, GastroIntestinal Cancers, Cancer Services, Royal Hobart Hospital, TAS; Prof Alexander Heriot, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Director Cancer Surgery, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and Director, Lower GI Tumour Stream, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, VIC; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Dr Kirsten van Gysen, Radiation Oncologist, Nepean Cancer Care Centre, NSW.
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