What are the precautions for rectal cancer surgery?

Rectal cancer is the most common cancer in the digestive tract, second only to gastric cancer. So what is rectal cancer? What should we pay attention to during rectal cancer surgery?

What is Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer refers to cancer between the intestines and is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive tract. Rectal cancer is located low and deep in the pelvic cavity, with complex anatomical relationships. It is not easy to completely cure with surgical treatment, and the postoperative morbidity is high. It is difficult to preserve the anus and its function during surgery, which is a difficult problem for surgery. The main manifestations are bloody stools, constipation, diarrhea, etc. in the early stage of defecation, and the stool gradually becomes thinner. In the late stage, there is defecation obstruction.

Surgical treatment methods

Surgical treatment is generally divided into two types: radical and palliative. Radical surgery includes: abdominoperineal resection, anterior rectal cancer resection, and rectal cancer resection with preservation of the anal sphincter. Palliative surgery is to perform limited resection of the intestinal segment with cancer and then close the rectum, also known as sigmoid colostomy.

Rectal cancer surgery considerations

Patients with rectal cancer also have a 35% chance of recurrence after surgery. Therefore, patients with rectal cancer need to go to the hospital for regular checkups after surgery. During the checkups, they should also check whether other organs may become cancerous. Patients should also pay attention to quitting smoking and drinking, maintain a normal daily routine, and eat foods that are easy to digest. Try to avoid eating foods that are too watery or have too much crude fiber.

Diet and health care after rectal cancer surgery

Patients with colorectal cancer should have a diversified diet, should not be picky about food, and should not eat too much high-fat and high-protein food. They need to regularly eat fresh vegetables rich in vitamins and cancer-preventing foods, such as tomatoes, celery, cabbage, radishes, citrus fruits, yogurt, etc.