Cancer Articles (Dr. S.N White)

Are all colostomies permanent? No, many of them are temporary that is, after a certain period of time, in a second operation, the colon is rejoined and the hole in the abdomen is closed up. These operations are often referred to as two stage procedures. The first operation is a temporary colostomy. The second is an operation to rejoin the colon and close the colostomy . The number of patients who require colostomies has been reduced, thanks to new surgical techniques and materials. Often the doctor is able to perform a one stage operation, bringing together the healthy sections of the colon after the tumor has been removed. When is a permanent colostomy necessary?  Permanent colostomies are usually necessary when the growth is in the region of the lower rectum. In this case, the rectum is removed and the upper portion of the colon is brought out onto the abdominal wall in the form of a permanent colostomy. What are temporary colostomies called?  There are several di...

The colon is that part of the intestine that contains the stool. It stores and conveys these completely altered food contents, now the waste products, from that part of the intestine where the digestive work is performed to the rectum, from which they are passed out. This portion of the intestine has little important function other than absorbing water and holding the stool. One can live without most or all of this part of the bowel. The length of the small intestine is several times that of the colon. It is called small because its lumen is narrower than that of the colon. All the digestive processes are completed in the small intestine. In its wall and lumen the digestive juices of the liver, pancreas and intestine act on the food to convert it to the basic nutrients required for growth and nutrition. Normal nutrition requires that several feet of the small bowel exist and function normally. Colitis is an inflammation of the intestine. The terminal part of the small intestine an...