Mangaluru: Recent reports indicate that the incidence of rectal and anal cancers is on a rise in India and in Mangalore. In most cases surgery is the choice of treatment for rectal cancer. The type of operation used to remove the rectal cancer depends on the extent and location of the cancer. If the rectal cancer is located well above the anus, a surgery is performed and this operation will allow the patient to keep anal function and pass stools in a normal manner. However if the rectal cancer is located close to the anus, sometimes the anus must be removed with the cancer and the patient must then use a colostomy bag.
A colostomy is an opening where the large intestine is attached to the abdominal wall. A replaceable bag that encloses the colostomy is worn by the patient to collect stool throughout. The pouch collecting stools can be drained when it is one third full or replaced whenever the seal comes off. The use of the collecting pouch is associated with problems like rectal discharge; development of hernia; blockage of stoma leading to bloating and swelling in the abdomen, stomach cramps; swollen stoma, nausea and vomiting; skin problems; stomal fistula; stoma retraction; stoma prolapse; stomal stricture (stenosis); leakage and stomal ischaemia (blood supply). This in turn affects the cancer survivors quality of life and working efficiency.
At MIO (Mangalore Institute of Oncology), we have developed a refined version of radiation treatment and the results have shown that this cures the rectal cancer. The specific treatment refered to as chemo irradiation includes the use of combining two anticancer drugs (Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine) with differential dose of radiation. The best part is that surgery was not conducted in these rectal cancer patients. They were also able to pass stools like usual and did not have to have to depend on colostomy bag. MIO has succesfully carried out this treatment is 20 patients and their cancer is completely eradicated. The best part is that these patients are leading a normal life and having a good quality of life. This is extremely important because most rectal cancer survivors live for more than 5 years and the use of colostomy bag is a major psychological and health issue.
