Tiny incisions make a big difference in treating colon cancer
Mrs. Loretta Taylor was doing everything right. Since her mother died of colon cancer, 76-year-old Taylor made sure she underwent a regular colonoscopy. It's a test that enables a surgeon to examine the entire length of the colon for abnormalities. Her vigilance paid off when a large cancerous polyp was discovered during her annual screening.
Charles Hughes, MD, Virtua colorectal surgeon, recommended removing the cancerous colon section using a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure.
Although laparoscopic surgery has long been performed for benign colon conditions, it was not performed for colon cancer until mid-2004. At that time, results from long-term, national clinical studies demonstrated that laparoscopic colon cancer surgery was as safe and as effective as open surgery to remove colon cancer tumors.
A minimally invasive option
Dr. Hughes explains Taylor's procedure: "Removing the tumor meant making four tiny incisions into the abdomen, each a half-inch long. I inserted a high-resolution laparoscope into one incision. This served as the 'eyes' of the operation, projecting everything onto a television screen. Tiny surgical instruments were placed into the other three 'ports' to cut away only the cancerous segment of colon. It was then removed through one of the incisions."
Eytan Irwin, MD, Virtua colorectal surgeon, encourages patients to discuss treatment options with a surgeon to determine the most appropriate approach: "This minimally invasive procedure is now an effective alternative to an open procedure, but may not be appropriate for everyone."
Not for everyone
For some individuals, open colon cancer surgery may be required.
William Cody, MD, a Virtua laparoscopic surgeon, explains: "About 10 to 20% of patients undergoing laparoscopic colon surgery will require a larger incision to complete the operation. Adhesions, bleeding and poor visualization are the most common reasons a surgeon may need to convert to an open incision during a laparoscopic procedure. However, all patients with colon cancer can elect to have a laparoscopic colon resection."
Taylor is living proof of the potential benefits of laparoscopic colon cancer surgery. "I had my surgery on November 9, 2004," says Taylor. "By the first week in December, my husband and I went to Manhattan to visit friends and attend the theater — pretty amazing when you think about it."
Clinical trials for colon cancer
Patients who participate in these voluntary studies gain access to the newest approaches in cancer care, developed by the nation's foremost cancer specialists. Through the
Fox Chase Virtua Health Cancer Program, patients have access to a broad range of national clinical trials as well as some of those conducted by the Fox Chase Cancer Center. For colon cancer
clinical trials, call
1-888-Virtua-3 and ask to speak with a protocol coordinator.
Meet the physicians
Charles Hughes, MD, graduated from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. Dr. Hughes completed a residency in colon and rectal surgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and is board certified in both general surgery and colon and rectal surgery.
Eytan Irwin, MD, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon. He graduated from Rutgers Medical School and completed a surgical residency at University Hospital in Newark. Dr. Irwin completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Carle Foundation Hospital in Illinois.
William Cody, MD, is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon. He graduated from Columbia University College of Physicians in New York and completed a surgery residency at Cooper Medical Center. Dr. Cody completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Ferguson Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.