Colorectal Cancer Program

Colorectal cancer is a cancer affecting the colon or rectum. Also known as bowel, colon or rectal cancer, it occurs when cancerous cells form in the inner lining of the colon or rectal wall.

Screening tests can detect colorectal cancer early and can increase chances of successful treatment and survival. Regular screening can also reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer altogether.

Our multidisciplinary Colorectal Cancer Program team, in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Foundation main campus in Ohio, provides state-of-the-art, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care for patients with colorectal cancer in the region. We partner with the patient and their family to provide the best chance of cure with a focus on improving quality-of-life.

We offer minimally invasive robotic surgery to help patients return to their normal way of life as quickly and effectively as possible.

What We Treat

Our Colorectal Cancer team treat a range of colorectal cancers including:

• Anal cancer
• Colon cancer
• Genetic syndromes causing colorectal polyps and cancer such as Lynch Syndrome and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
• Large colorectal polyps
• Metastatic colorectal cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST’s) of the colon and rectum
• Neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoid tumors) of the colon and rectum

Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

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Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer

If a screening test shows any anomalies, our program experts will advise the next steps for a conclusive diagnosis. Diagnostic tests can include blood tests, a biopsy, colonoscopy or certain scans.

Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

If colorectal cancer is diagnosed, a treatment plan tailored to you is developed. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach, with experts from multiple specialties coming together to find the most appropriate course of action for you.

Treatment may involve surgery and, depending on the size and location of the tumor, chemotherapy and radiation may be necessary. The colorectal surgery team can usually perform minimally invasive surgery. Using state-of-the-art precision laparoscopic and robotic techniques, minimally invasive surgery means less pain, faster recovery and better treatment outcomes. Treatments may include:

• Colon or rectal resection with liver resection
• Colonoscopy with polypectomy, colonoscopy with endoscopic mucosal resection EMR)
• Genetic counseling
• Ileostomy and colostomy creation
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Proctectomy or rectal resection (low anterior resection, abdominoperineal resection, sphincter-sparing intersphincteric restorative proctectomy)
• Minimally invasive Robotic surgery
• Segmental (partial) or total colectomy
• Small bowel resection
• Total proctocolectomy with ileal J pouch reconstruction
• Transanal excision, transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM)