Does rectal cancer surgery treat rectal cancer?

Rectal resection can treat rectal cancer by removing the tumour and nearby tissue, when surgery is appropriate. Whether it is the main treatment depends on the tumour's position, size, spread, and your overall health.

A surgeon removes the affected part of the rectum along with a margin of tissue and nearby lymph nodes. The bowel ends may be joined, or a temporary or long-term stoma may be needed. Some people receive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or combined treatment before or after surgery to control disease and lower the chance of return.

Your specialist team will review scans, biopsy findings, tumour location, and your health before recommending an approach. Ask how the operation would affect bowel function, bladder or sexual function, recovery, work, and daily activities. Discuss stoma support, nutrition, pelvic-floor care, and which treatments are planned around the operation.

Contact the surgical team promptly for fever, worsening pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, heavy bleeding, wound redness or discharge, or a sudden change in stoma output. Urgent assessment is needed for collapse, severe breathlessness, or inability to keep fluids down.

Ask what the operation is intended to achieve, whether a stoma is likely, which alternatives exist, and how pathology results will guide further treatment.