Introduction
The diagnosis of colorectal cancer, like any other cancer, is a difficult one and requires a high degree of adaptability from the person affected. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women. Generally, surgery is considered the treatment of choice for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.
However, there are situations in which surgery cannot be performed. In this case, chemotherapy is attempted to reduce the extent of the disease. Irradiation is only used on the rectum, as this section is intertwined with the surrounding area, and it is only here that it is possible to perform the radiation cycles with an exactly calculated alignment.
When should colorectal cancer be operated on?
In principle, surgery for colorectal cancer is the method of choice if the tumor can be completely removed by surgery. This is the case if the tumor has not grown into the peritoneum over a large area. In addition, the tumor can be removed if it has not grown into large blood vessels in the peritoneum.
It should also be possible to remove the distant metastases to other organs, otherwise the cancer cells will spread further and the disease will not be stopped. A further prerequisite for colorectal cancer surgery is the patient’s general surgical fitness. This means whether the patient can survive the strains of the operation and the general anesthesia required.
When should colorectal cancer not be operated on?
Factors that speak against a colon cancer operation are on the one hand the impossibility of completely removing the tumor. On the other hand, a patient should not be operated on if he or she would most likely not consider the operation. Another very important reason for not having surgery is the will of the patient. If a patient who is able to consent is not willing to undergo surgery, he or she should not be forced to undergo surgery. This is also the case if the operation would very likely cure the patient and he or she would certainly not be able to survive without the operation.
