Colorectal Cancer Surgery
Leading-Edge Surgical Expertise
Colorectal cancer affects more than your health — it can disrupt your comfort and daily life. That’s why we combine leading-edge surgical expertise with compassionate, whole-person care. Every treatment plan is designed to preserve function, support recovery, and help you move forward with strength and confidence.
Expert Care & Innovative Techniques
At the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, our highly skilled colorectal surgeons are advancing the field by training the next generation of experts. Their leadership and innovation allow them to bring you the most advanced surgical techniques, including robotic and laparoscopic procedures, as well as sphincter-preserving surgeries that help maintain normal bowel function.
We understand that undergoing surgery can feel overwhelming, which is why we focus on techniques that promote faster recovery, reduce complications, and improve your quality of life. And because healing extends beyond surgery, we provide comprehensive support — from ostomy care and nutrition counseling to rehabilitation services — to help you recover with confidence.
Advanced Colorectal Surgery
We offer advanced, minimally invasive colorectal surgeries, from laparoscopic and robotic techniques to highly specialized options like HIPEC and TAMIS. Surgical options include:
Other colorectal surgery options
Abdominoperineal resection is surgical removal of the anus, rectum and part of the colon through an incision in the abdomen. It is often used to treat cancer in the lower rectum when other treatments aren’t an option. While this procedure requires a permanent colostomy, it can be an effective way to remove cancer and prevent it from recurring.
Ablation uses radiation, chemicals, or energy-based technologies like microwave or laser therapy to destroy cancer cells. Depending on the location and size of the tumor, the procedure may be done using a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach or through traditional open surgery. This technique can help shrink tumors and relieve symptoms.
Coloanal anastomosis using total mesorectal excision is surgery to attach the colon to the anus. This procedure is often used to treat lower rectal cancer while preserving normal bowel function, so patients maintain a more natural way of passing stool.
Low anterior resection is surgery for rectal cancer that involves removing part of the rectum. This approach allows many patients to maintain normal bowel function without the need for a permanent colostomy, supporting both recovery and quality of life.
Partial colectomy removes the cancerous part of the colon while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The remaining sections of the colon are reconnected, allowing normal digestion and bowel function. Using minimally invasive techniques when possible, this approach can help reduce pain, lower the risk of complications, and support a faster recovery.
Metastasectomy/cytoreductive surgery is a surgical procedure to remove visible or accessible metastatic tumors in various parts of the body. This approach can help relieve symptoms, improve your quality of life, and make other treatments more effective.
Total colectomy is surgery to remove the entire colon. Depending on your needs, the small intestine is either connected to the rectum for continued bowel function or redirected through a stoma for waste removal. This procedure can help relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and improve overall digestive health.
Transanal excision is a surgical treatment for colorectal cancer that allows a surgeon to remove tumors and some surrounding tissue, leaving the anus and sphincter in place, which may help avoid colostomy bags in some cases. Because it’s a minimally invasive surgery, there’s often a quicker recovery, less pain, and a lower risk of complications compared with more extensive surgeries.
Robotic/laparoscopic low anterior resection is a procedure in which a portion of the rectum is removed; the colon is then attached to the remaining part of the rectum. This allows the patient to have bowel movements normally.
Robotic-assisted surgery allows for better and more controlled access, giving the surgeon a clear and magnified view of the surgical area. It allows them to use smaller instruments and move with greater precision in a minimally invasive fashion, all of which results in less pain and a quicker recovery.
This advanced procedure requires a sophisticated facility and equipment, along with highly specialized physicians. It is available at some Swedish locations.
What to Expect
Your care team takes time to understand you beyond your diagnosis — learning everything from your physical and emotional needs to your personal goals. This personalized approach is supported by the expertise of our entire colorectal cancer team. Our specialists collaborate in multidisciplinary tumor boards, where cancer experts come together to review complex cases and share insights.
About a week before surgery, we'll schedule a pre-admission visit to:
- Assist with any remaining pre-surgical lab work or tests
- Review what will happen during your surgery
- Explain potential side effects
- Discuss medications and post-surgery care, including in-home help or equipment if needed
You'll receive information to prepare for your hospital admission. If you have any questions after your pre-admission appointment, you can reach out to your nurse or care coordinator, who will be happy to help.
On the day of your surgery, you will meet with an anesthesiologist, who confirms details of your medical record, clarifies any questions about your medical history, and performs a physical exam.
During this time, you can discuss the plan for your care, express any concerns about potential side effects, and ask any questions that you have about the anesthesia.
The specifics of your surgery are determined by your surgery type and individual needs, but one factor is always consistent – you’re being treated by an expertly trained team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical nurses, and technicians.
The length of your surgery depends on several factors, including the type of procedure, whether reconstruction is being done, and the complexity of the procedure. The care team will inform your loved ones of your progress and provide updates during surgery.
Following surgery, you’ll be moved to recovery where your care team can monitor your vital signs and manage your pain as the anesthesia wears off.
Postoperative care instructions will be provided before being discharged. Instructions could include information about wound care, activity restrictions, and pain management.
For more extensive surgeries, you may be required to stay overnight, or longer, to ensure proper recovery.
Typically, you'll have follow-up appointments after surgery for the first few weeks. This is to monitor your healing and effectively manage the potential for complications. Your follow-up appointment schedule will depend on the type of surgery you have.
As time goes on, we'll see you less frequently, but you'll still come in for regular checkups. During these visits, we manage any ongoing treatments, such as medical or radiation oncology, and monitor for signs of recurrence.
We also offer extensive supportive care services to help you through every treatment stage.
Learn more about our supportive care services.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s natural to feel nervous about surgery, but your care team will talk you through the process, helping you prepare for surgery and answering all your questions well in advance.
As part of your personalized care plan, we offer advanced surgical options tailored to your diagnosis and goals, including minimally invasive procedures, when possible, along with reconstruction if needed. After surgery, we provide detailed recovery instructions and make sure that you have all the ongoing support you need to help you heal with confidence.
Surgery may be all that your care plan requires if your cancer was diagnosed in its early stages and hasn’t spread to other parts of the body.
However, surgery can be accompanied by medical oncology treatment such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy to meet your specific needs and give you the highest likelihood of a successful outcome.
Radiation may also be recommended to help shrink tumors prior to surgery or following surgery to decrease the chance of recurrence.
Your recovery time depends on which type of surgery you have.
You may be in the hospital for one or two days following your surgery, although some procedures are done on an outpatient basis. Some patients can return to their regular activities within a few weeks, while others may take longer.
Before surgery, your care team will walk you through what to expect and provide a detailed recovery plan. This includes guidance for managing pain, any activity restrictions, and information about follow-up visits — so you can make arrangements and feel confident going into surgery.
Treatment timelines vary depending on your diagnosis. Some surgical procedures are done on an outpatient basis. More complex cases may require a hospital stay.
Medical oncology and radiation treatments typically involve multiple treatment sessions over a period of days or weeks. Treatment timelines vary depending on the type and stage of your cancer. Your care team reviews your treatment plan with you, as well as any options that may impact length, frequency and duration of treatment.
Following active treatment, you will see your physician periodically to monitor any signs of recurrence.
There’s no one-size-fits-all diet during cancer treatment but eating well can help you feel stronger and support your recovery. Many people find it helpful to focus on small, balanced meals with plenty of protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A Providence Swedish Cancer Institute nutritionist can help you find foods that work for your needs, manage side effects like nausea or appetite changes, and support your overall well-being throughout treatment.
Getting a second opinion can help you feel more confident in your diagnosis and treatment plan. If you’ve already been diagnosed somewhere else, we’re here to help you take the next step. Call 855-XCANCER, 855-922-6237 - our care coordinators will match you with the right cancer specialist and help schedule your visit. They can also work with your current physician to collect your medical records and test results.
We provide a full range of supportive care services to support you during and after your cancer treatment. Some of these services include:
- Art therapists
- Cancer rehabilitation (onco-physiatry)
- Care coordinators
- Genetic counseling (cancer geneticist)
- Health educators
- Medical massage (edema, lymphedema management)
- Music therapist
- Naturopaths
- Nutritionists
- Oncology nurses
- Social workers
- Speech and language pathology
We can also help with finances, food, transportation, and other challenges for eligible patients through our patient assistance fund.
See the full list of supportive care services.
Note: Some services are provided by local partners and vary based on location. Please contact your clinic for more information.
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