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Colon Cancer Surgery

Colon Cancer Surgery involves the removal of cancerous parts of the colon to prevent the spread of cancer. It is a common treatment for colon cancer and may include removing a portion of the colon (colectomy) and nearby lymph nodes. The goal is to eliminate the cancer and restore normal bowel function.

Colon cancer (also called colorectal cancer) usually starts in the large intestine as small, noncancerous polyps that can slowly turn malignant over time if they are not detected and removed. Regular screening colonoscopy helps identify and remove these polyps at an early stage, significantly lowering the risk of developing advanced cancer.

If you are above 50 years of age, or have a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or inherited syndromes, your risk is higher and periodic screening is strongly recommended. Early-stage colon cancers are often curable with surgery alone, while more advanced stages may need a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.

Dr. Manish Jain offers advanced colon cancer surgery in Delhi NCR using laparoscopic and robotic techniques, focusing on complete cancer clearance, adequate lymph node removal, and rapid recovery. His expertise at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, ensures patients receive some of the best colon cancer treatment options in Delhi through a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach.

Most colon cancers are adenocarcinomas, arising from the glandular cells lining the inner surface of the colon. Less common types include carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), lymphomas, and sarcomas, which may behave differently and often require more specialized treatment planning.

Symptoms can be subtle in early stages, but warning signs include a persistent change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, and iron-deficiency anemia. Anyone experiencing these symptoms, especially if they persist, should seek prompt evaluation with a colonoscopy and appropriate imaging to rule out or confirm colon cancer.

Recovery Timeline

Hospital stay: 3–5 days (laparoscopic/robotic
Return to normal diet: within 1 week
Resume work: 2–4 weeks
Full recovery: 6–8 weeks

For most patients undergoing minimally invasive colon cancer surgery (laparoscopic or robotic), the hospital stay is typically short, often around 3–5 days in uncomplicated cases. Enhanced recovery pathways, early mobilization, and pain control help patients walk, pass gas, and start oral intake earlier after surgery.

Many individuals are able to return to a normal or near-normal diet within about a week, gradually progressing from liquids and soft foods as bowel function returns. Depending on the nature of their work and overall fitness, patients can usually resume office-based jobs in 2–4 weeks, while full internal healing and complete recovery from major colon resection can take 6–8 weeks or longer.

Dr. Manish Jain’s use of minimally invasive techniques, including advanced robotic surgery for colon cancer, is designed to reduce pain, shorten hospital stay, and help patients in Delhi NCR return to their daily routine as early and safely as possible.

Diet and Lifestyle

Start with soft
Low-fiber diet
Gradually reintroduce fiber
Stay hydrated
Avoid processed foods
Regular follow-ups with CEA monitoring and colonoscopy surveillance every 1–3 years

Immediately after colon cancer surgery, patients are usually started on clear liquids and soft foods before progressing to a low-fiber diet, which is easier for the healing bowel to handle. Over time, fiber is gradually reintroduced to support healthy digestion, regular bowel movements, and long-term colon health.

Adequate hydration is essential, especially in the early recovery phase, to prevent constipation and support overall healing. A long-term lifestyle pattern emphasizing fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and minimal processed or high-fat foods is associated with better gut health and may help reduce the risk of recurrence.

Regular follow-ups with CEA monitoring and colonoscopy surveillance every 1–3 years are critical to detect any recurrence, new polyps, or second primary cancers at an early and treatable stage. Dr. Manish Jain and his team at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi, provide structured follow-up plans and survivorship counselling tailored to each patient’s stage and risk profile.

Diagnostic Tests

Colonoscopy with biopsy
CT Scan (Abdomen & Pelvis)
CEA Blood Test (tumor marker)
MRI (for rectal involvement)

A colonoscopy with biopsy is the gold standard test to visualize the inside of the colon, detect polyps or tumors, and obtain tissue samples for confirmation of cancer. Cross-sectional imaging such as CT of the abdomen and pelvis helps assess the local extent of the disease, involvement of lymph nodes, and possible spread to organs like the liver or lungs.

CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) is a tumor marker that can assist in staging, treatment response assessment, and long-term surveillance, especially in patients with elevated baseline levels. MRI is particularly valuable when the rectum is involved or when more detailed visualization of the pelvic structures is required, helping the surgical team plan a precise, nerve-sparing operation.

At BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, these diagnostic tests are integrated into a comprehensive evaluation protocol so that every colon cancersurgery planned by Dr. Manish Jain is based on accurate staging and multidisciplinary tumor board discussion.

Treatment

Adjuvant Chemotherapy: Standard for Stage III and high-risk Stage II colon cancers, using regimens like FOLFOX (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin) or CAPOX/XELOX.
Immunotherapy: For patients with dMMR/MSI-H (deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite instability-high) tumors, immunotherapy (e.g., Pembrolizumab, Nivolumab/Ipilimumab) is a significant advancement showing excellent responses.
Targeted Therapies: For specific gene mutations (e.g., BRAF, KRAS, HER2) in advanced cases.

Surgery is often the primary treatment for localized colon cancer, and adjuvant chemotherapy is added for Stage III and selected high-risk Stage II disease to reduce the risk of recurrence by eliminating microscopic residual cancer cells. Regimens such as FOLFOX or CAPOX/XELOX are internationally accepted standards and are selected based on stage, patient fitness, and toxicity profile.

For tumors that are dMMR/MSI-H, immunotherapy has transformed outcomes by harnessing the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells more effectively, sometimes achieving durable responses even in metastatic disease. In advanced or metastatic colon cancer, molecular profiling for mutations in BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, and HER2 enables the use of targeted drugs that block specific growth pathways, offering a personalized treatment strategy.

Radiation therapy is less commonly used for colon tumors than for rectal cancers, but in selected scenarios—such as fixed or locally advanced disease, or palliation of symptoms—it may be part of the treatment plan. Under Dr. Manish Jain’s care, each colon cancer case in Delhi NCR is discussed in a multidisciplinary setting, combining surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and supportive care to deliver the best colon cancer treatment tailored to the individual.

Surgical Options

Laparoscopic Colectomy: Minimally invasive removal of the affected colon segment (e.g., Right/Left Hemicolectomy, Extended Colectomy).
Robotic Colectomy: Offers enhanced precision and dexterity, especially for complex cases.
Open Colectomy: Traditional approach when minimally invasive surgery is not feasible.
Lymph Node Dissection: Essential for complete cancer clearance and staging.

Laparoscopic colectomy uses small incisions, a camera, and fine instruments to remove the diseased segment of colon and nearby lymph nodes, often resulting in less pain, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay than open surgery. Robotic colectomy builds on these advantages by providing 3D visualization and wristed instruments, which can be particularly beneficial in obese patients, reoperative abdomens, or anatomically challenging tumors.

Open colectomy remains an important option when minimally invasive surgery is not appropriate—for example, in very bulky tumors, extensive adhesions, or emergency presentations like perforation or obstruction. Lymph node dissection is a critical part of all oncologic colectomies, both to ensure adequate cancer clearance and to accurately determine the pathological stage, which guides the need for chemotherapy and follow-up.

Dr. Manish Jain is a leading GI oncosurgeon in Delhi NCR with extensive experience in all these surgical approaches, including advanced robotic and laparoscopic colon cancer surgery at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi. Patients seeking the best colon cancer treatment in Delhi can benefit from his expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and a highly coordinated cancer care team.