Surgery to remove cancer may be used to treat metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer. The type of surgery chosen depends upon the stage of the cancer.

Surgery Choices

Surgical options include:

• Bowel resection. This operation involves cutting into the abdomen to reach the area of the colon or rectum that is affected by the cancer. The surgeon cuts out the cancer as well as the parts of the colon or rectum that are next to it. Then the two healthy ends of the colon or rectum are sewn back together.
• Liver resection. In this operation the surgeon cuts out cancer that has spread to the liver, as well as parts of the liver that are next to the cancer. Up to half of your liver can be removed as long as the rest is healthy. Two other methods to destroy cancer cells in the liver include radio waves (radiofrequency ablation) and heat (microwave coagulation).
• Cryosurgery. Also called cryotherapy, this type of surgery uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver. It is used when the tumors in the liver are still fairly small.

If cancer that has returned to your intestine is large, more of your colon or rectum may have to be removed. The ends of your colon or rectum are rejoined during surgery. If they can't be rejoined, you may need a colostomy. Most people do not need a permanent colostomy.

For more information, see:

Bowel disease: Caring for your ostomy.

When cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the kind of surgery you will need depends on where the cancer is and how big the tumor is. Sometimes surgery is used not to cure your cancer but to make your life more comfortable. If a tumor is blocking your colon, for example, the surgeon may remove it to allow your intestine to work normally. If advanced cancer is blocking your rectum, your doctor may place an expandable tube, called a stent, in the rectum to unblock it.

What To Think About

Surgery may be used to remove metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer that is confined to the colon or that has spread to the liver, lungs, or ovaries. Surgery does not usually cure metastatic or recurrent colorectal cancer, but it may relieve pain and discomfort, slow the spread of the disease, and help you live longer.