Contents:
- Medical Video: Video 3: Warning Signs after Colorectal Surgery
- What are the possible side effects of colon cancer?
- 1. Colostomy or ileostomy
- 2. Difficult to ejaculate or ejaculate best (for men)
- 3. Pain during sex (for women)
- Overcome the symptoms and side effects of colon cancer surgery
Medical Video: Video 3: Warning Signs after Colorectal Surgery
Like every operation, colon cancer surgery also has potential side effects that may occur. The risk of these side effects will depend on several factors, including the level of difficulty of the operation and overall patient health before surgery. Most people will experience minimal pain after surgery, but this can usually be controlled with medication if needed. Eating disorders usually improve within a few days after surgery. What are the risks of side effects from colon cancer surgery?
What are the possible side effects of colon cancer?
1. Colostomy or ileostomy
Colostomy (ileostomy) is the making of a hole in the abdominal wall. Some people may need this procedure temporarily or permanently after surgery. It may take time to get used to this procedure and lifestyle adjustments may be needed. If you have a colostomy or ileostomy, you need help learning how to deal with it.
An ostomy nurse or specially trained enterostomal therapist can help you. They will usually see you at the hospital before your surgery begins to discuss the prosthesis and make a sign for opening. After surgery, they may come to your home or to the outpatient department to give you further training.
Colostomy can have an impact on body image and sexual comfort level in both men and women. Although adjustments may be needed, this should not prevent you from having a pleasant sexual life.
2. Difficult to ejaculate or ejaculate best (for men)
Men who undergo surgery for colon cancer may experience difficult erections or even fail, or fail ejaculation, due to abdominoperineal resection (AP). In other cases, the pleasure you feel during orgasm can be greatly reduced. Normal aging can cause this change, but this can be more severe due to surgery.
AP resection can damage the nerves that regulate ejaculation, causing dry orgasms (semen-free orgasm). Sometimes, surgery causes reverse ejaculation (retarded ejaculation), which means semen moves backward to the bladder during orgasm. This difference is important if you want to have children. If you experience reverse ejaculation, a fertility specialist may often remove sperm cells from the urine, which will then be used to fertilize the egg. If sperm cells cannot be taken from your semen or urine, a specialist will take them directly from the testis with a small operation, and then use them for fertilization in vitro, aka IVF.
3. Pain during sex (for women)
If you are a woman, rectal surgery (except the pelvic exterior) usually does not cause loss of sexual function. Abdominal adhesion (scarring) can sometimes cause discomfort or pain during intercourse. If the uterus is removed, pregnancy will not be possible.
Overcome the symptoms and side effects of colon cancer surgery
Cancer and its treatment often cause side effects. In addition to treating, slowing, stopping or getting rid of cancer, another important part of cancer treatment is relieving the symptoms and side effects of the patient. This approach is called palliative or supportive care, and this includes supporting patients with their physical, emotional, and social needs.
Palliative care can help patients at every stage of the disease. People often receive cancer treatment and treatment of side effects at the same time. In fact, patients who receive both often experience less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report that they are more satisfied with treatment.
Palliative care is very varied and often includes drugs, changes in nutrition, relaxation techniques, and other therapies. You can also receive palliative care similar to treatments aimed at eliminating cancer, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Consult your doctor about the purpose of each treatment in your treatment plan.
Before treatment begins, consult your doctor's team about possible side effects from your specific treatment plan and available supportive care options. Then, during and after treatment, be sure to tell your doctor or someone on your health team if you experience a problem so that you can treat it as soon as possible.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
