Precision Diagnosis and Staging
1. Multidisciplinary Oncology Consultation
The successful treatment of colon or rectal cancer requires a perfectly coordinated plan developed by a multidisciplinary tumor board.
Your Consultation in Istanbul:
- Advanced Staging: Utilizing high-resolution MRI (specifically for rectal cancer) and PET-CT scans to determine the precise depth of the tumor and assess lymph node involvement.
- Multidisciplinary Board: Your case is reviewed by GI surgeons, medical oncologists, and gastroenterologists to define the safest approach.
- Neoadjuvant Therapy: For rectal cancers, radiation or chemotherapy is often administered before surgery to shrink the tumor, making sphincter-preserving surgery possible.
Our goal is to create a personalized strategy that offers the highest chance of a complete cure.
Minimally Invasive and Sphincter-Sparing
2. Surgical Excellence in Bowel Resection
Our surgical teams are internationally recognized for their expertise in managing complex gastrointestinal resections.
Advanced Surgical Approaches:
- Robotic and Laparoscopic Resection: Utilizing advanced minimally invasive techniques to remove the affected portion of the bowel with smaller incisions, significantly reducing pain and recovery time.
- Total Mesorectal Excision (TME): The gold standard for rectal cancer, involving the meticulous removal of the rectum and surrounding fatty tissue/lymph nodes to prevent recurrence.
- Sphincter-Sparing Surgery: For low rectal tumors, advanced robotic precision allows our surgeons to remove the cancer while preserving the anal sphincter, avoiding the need for a permanent colostomy bag whenever safely possible.
Adapting to Your Recovery
3. Post-Operative Care and Digestive Support
Recovery from colorectal surgery involves careful monitoring as your digestive system heals and resumes function.
Recovery Milestones:
- In-Patient Care: You will spend several days in the hospital receiving specialized GI nursing care.
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS): We utilize ERAS protocols, which include early mobility and early reintroduction of food, to accelerate your bowel recovery.
- Stoma Care (If Applicable): If a temporary stoma (ileostomy or colostomy) is required to let the bowel heal, our specialized stoma nurses will provide comprehensive education and support so you feel confident managing it.
Our team provides continuous guidance and coordinates all necessary follow-up oncology appointments before your return home.