What is Rectal Cancer Surgery?
Rectal cancer surgery removes cancerous tissue from the rectum — the last segment of large bowel before the anal canal — with a margin of surrounding tissue and, where indicated, the mesorectum and regional lymph nodes. Reconstruction may restore bowel continuity, or a stoma may be formed when a join is not honest. Tumour location matters more here than in most abdominal cancer operations. A high rectal tumour and a very low tumour that sits on the sphincter are not the same sitting. LAR aims to keep the anus when clinically possible. APR removes the rectum and anus and ends in a permanent colostomy.
