Location Matters with Colorectal Cancer

Location, location, location. As with many things, it counts when it comes to colorectal cancer. Disease that affects the lower GI tract is divided into colon and rectal cancer. They are treated differently based on location.

“Colon cancer is a bit more straightforward. Usually you just take it out and if the lymph nodes are positive then you get chemo,” says Dr. Janette Gaw, who is a colorectal surgeon on medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System.

Ken Lemme learned firsthand. A large tumor in his colon reached down to the rectum; requiring extra steps to treatment.

“I started radiation treatments in December. I had 28 treatments and February 17th I was in the hospital doing surgery,” says Lemme.

When treating rectal cancer, radiation and chemo typically come first. Followed by surgery and many times, more chemo.

“I am in the end of that segment now. I’ve got two more weeks of chemotherapy,” says Lemme.

Rectal cancer has deeper implications because the lower GI tract is situated inside the pelvis. A small space, it makes getting clear margins during surgery more difficult. Undergoing treatment first leads to greater success.

“Chemo and radiation, when you receive it beforehand it helps with the surgery because it shrinks the tumor and also decreases the local recurrence,” says Dr. Gaw.

Historically, patients with rectal cancer faced a permanent colostomy. Now it is often a temporary state.

“Once that area heals then we just reverse them and so they can go to the bathroom normally,” says Dr. Gaw.

“I was lucky enough to be where I am and able to get it early enough and to be able to move on,” says Lemme.

A tough diagnosis, with the right approach to treatment, rectal cancer still has good outcomes.

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Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

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