TAMIS and TEMs: Advanced Options for rectal cancer Treatment in Melbourne.
Rectal cancers that are staged as penetrating through the rectal wall are generally treated with major surgery. This involves removal of all, or a large part of the rectum and bringing colon down to join (anastomose) with the low rectum or anal canal. This join (anastomosis) is usually protected temporarily with a stoma (bag) while the join heals. Sometimes the entire rectum and anal canal must be removed and a permanent stoma is the result. (Abdomino-perineal excision of the rectum).
Frequently pre-surgery chemoradiotherapy is provided prior to surgery and now more extended chemoradiation is often given. (Total neoadjuvant treatment).
This involves a team of oncologists and radiotherapists. This treatment can occur over multiple months.
For patients seeking rectal cancer treatment in Melbourne, a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach is essential. Rectal cancer is a condition that requires specialized treatment, often involving treatment by non-surgeon specialists in combination with the colorectal surgeon.
Surgical techniques for rectal surgery are evolving, and removal of rectal cancers can be performed in several ways. The choice of platform can be robotic, laparoscopic, open, and even transanal such as TEMs [Transanal endoscopic microscope], TAMIS [Transanal minimal invasive surgery], and straight transanal approaches. These transanal techniques are performed in very carefully selected cases of early rectal cancer.
As part of advanced rectal cancer treatment in Melbourne, the staging investigations for rectal cancer are also increasingly specialised and involve MRI scans, rectal ultrasound scans, and sometimes PET scans. The interpretation of these scans is also best done by a specially trained radiologist.
Rectal ultrasound appears to be still very useful in staging early rectal cancer whilst MRI has better use in cancers that have penetrated through the rectal wall.
PET scanning is reserved for clarifying abnormalities that are picked up by staging CAT scans that are still done to check the health of organs such as the liver and lungs.
TAMIS and TEMs: Advanced Options for Rectal Cancer Treatment in Melbourne
These techniques are used for removing abnormalities of the rectal wall such as polyps. They both have platforms that enable instruments to be passed through devices inserted into the anal canal that obtain a seal so that the rectum can be inflated with carbon dioxide in order to cut out these abnormalities. The abnormalities can be cut out including the full thickness of the rectal wall and the resultant defect can be stitched closed.
