In most cases, the doctor is able to reconnect the healthy portions of the colon or rectum. When the surgeon cannot reconnect the healthy portions, a temporary or permanent colostomy is necessary. After a colostomy, the patient wears a special bag to collect body waste. Some patients need a temporary colostomy to allow the lower colon or rectum to heal after surgery. About 15 percent of colorectal cancer patients require a permanent colostomy.
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy may be given to destroy any cancerous cells that may remain in the body after surgery, to control tumor growth, or to relieve symptoms of the disease. Chemotherapy is a systemic therapy , meaning that the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body. Some anticancer drugs are given in the form of a pill. Radiation therapy is a local therapy , meaning that it affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. Most often it is used in patients whose cancer is in the rectum.