Ranked No. 7 in the Nation for Gastroenterology and GI Surgery by U.S. News & World Report
Houston Methodist Hospital is ranked No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for gastroenterology and GI surgery. U.S. News & World Report also nationally ranks Houston Methodist for cancer and considers it high performing for colon cancer surgery.
The Five Stages of Colorectal Cancer
If you receive a colon or rectal cancer diagnosis, your oncologist will also determine the stage to understand the cancer size, location and metastasis (spread). Cancer staging helps your health care team know what areas of the body are affected and in need of treatment:
- Stage 0 – Cancer is detected in the thin innermost lining (mucosa) of the colon or rectum. It has not spread.
- Stage 1 – Cancer has spread beyond the inner layer into the muscular second (submucosa) or third (muscularis propria) layer but remains within the colon or rectum. It has not spread into nearby tissues or lymph nodes.
- Stage 2 – Cancer has spread to the outer layers of the colon or rectum and into nearby tissues but not into lymph nodes.
- Stage 3 – Cancer has grown outside the colon or rectum and into one or more lymph nodes. It has not spread into other parts of the body.
- Stage 4 – Cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the abdominal wall, liver, lungs or distant lymph nodes.
Leading Surgical Techniques for Colon and Rectal Cancers
If colorectal cancer surgery is needed, our experts use minimally invasive approaches and robotic surgical techniques whenever possible. These advanced procedures can result in less pain and fewer complications, so you can recover more quickly. Our specialists also developed an opioid-sparing protocol using nerve blocks to enhance recovery and reduce the complications opioids can cause.
We are among the few hospitals nationwide to offer blood conservation techniques (or bloodless surgery). This technique is for patients who, for personal, religious or medical reasons, want to avoid blood transfusions during surgery. With this technique, our specialists perform some of the most complicated procedures, including colorectal surgery, without using donated blood.
Colorectal Cancer Program Nationally Recognized for Quality, Outcomes
The Houston Methodist Colorectal Cancer Program is part of a renowned national quality consortium. We perform at the highest possible level for colon polyp detection and cancer prevention and treatment. Our surgeons use minimally invasive approaches in more than 95% of colorectal surgeries, resulting in faster recovery, less pain and fewer complications.
Colorectal Cancer Clinical Trials
Colorectal Cancer Treatments We Offer
Polypectomy
A polypectomy is the removal of a polyp (or growth) from an organ. It is used most often for early-stage colorectal cancers. A polypectomy is usually performed during a colonoscopy by passing a wire loop through the colonoscope to cut the polyp from the colon wall.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
An EMR is a minimally invasive procedure that uses suction and saline water injected via a needle to remove a small tumor or an area of abnormal tissues. An EMR is used most often for early-stage colon cancers.
Colectomy
Some colorectal cancers require removal of part of the colon, called a colectomy. During this procedure, the cancerous area of the colon is removed, as well as some healthy tissue. The colon is then reconnected. This surgery also is known as hemicolectomy or partial colectomy.
A colectomy can be performed via open surgery using an abdominal incision or minimally invasively using a laparoscopic or robotic procedure.
J-Pouch Surgery
When complete removal of the colon and rectum is necessary, our surgeons may perform J-pouch surgery. The J-pouch is a small pouch formed from the end of the small intestine into a “J” shape where stool can wait until it is time for a bowel movement.
This intestinal J-pouch can not only store stool until it is time for a bowel movement, but it allows you some control over the timing of the bowel movement. While the rectum is removed during the J-pouch procedure, the J-pouch is essentially a surgically created rectum, allowing stool to continue to pass through the anus.
Reconstructive Surgery
In more advanced cases, our experts perform reconstructive procedures to spare tissue and preserve function and quality of life by avoiding colostomies whenever possible. Reconstructive surgery can also help to rebuild the areas of your body affected by cancer or cancer treatment to re-establish shape and function.
Endoluminal Stent Placement
Endoluminal stent placement may be used for patients with blockages in the colon or rectum when surgical treatment is not initially possible or recommended for safety reasons.
With an endoluminal stent placement, expanding metal stents are inserted using an endoscope (narrow tube) placed through the anus. This procedure is conducted to relieve bowel obstruction, as either a method of palliative care (to reduce pain or symptoms), or as a bridge to surgery.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells by killing them or halting cell division and growth. This treatment is typically administered orally (by mouth) or intravenously (with an IV).
For colorectal cancer treatment, chemotherapy may be used to destroy any cancer cells that remain after surgery. In some cases, chemotherapy may be given before surgery to help shrink tumors to make them easier to remove.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is commonly used before surgery for rectal cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing in a targeted, specific area. Radiation works by targeting abnormal cells, damaging their DNA so they are unable to reproduce.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy uses drugs that specifically recognize and target cancer cells to stop their growth without harming normal cells. Targeted therapeutic drugs often pinpoint specific mutations or proteins that are involved in the growth and survival of cancer cells.
Your doctor may use targeted therapy as an initial treatment or combined with other treatments.
