Colorectal Cancer: Post Treatment 6 Months +: Medical Care Stages II,III,IV

Follow-Up

After surgery, tests and imaging studies such as a CT scan, an MRI test or a PET scan are usually repeated every three months for a number of years, then six months for more years, than once a year or every few years.

Side Effects

After surgery for colorectal cancer, the following are common side effects and complications to be aware of. Keep in mind that there is no way to predict what symptoms a particular individual will have or to what degree.

• Abdominal pain and cramping. Abdominal or pelvic supportive tissues can be stretched, constricted or weakened.
• Bowel movements can be difficult or painful .
• Damage to nerves can cause pain or bowel, sexual and urinary dysfunction.
• Diarrhea. If you had the entire colon removed, there is no cure for diarrhea. Changes in diet may lessen the frequency or looseness of your stool. For everyone else, click here to learn how to cope with diarrhea.
• Erectile dysfunction for sexual purposes. There are steps to take to minimize the effect of erectile dysfunction. Also keep in mind that sex is not the only means of intimacy.  To learn more, click here. 
• Fatigue may continue for years after treatment. Fatigue generally at least continues for at least as long as the time between diagnosis and end of treatment. There are tips for coping with fatigue (For information about dealing with fatigue, click here.)
• Fistulae may develop.
  • Fistulae are abnormal tube-like formations between 2 organs. 
  • Fistulae can be operated on.
• Hernias at or near the incision site. 
  • A hernia is when an organ protrudes through the wall of the cavity which contains it. 
  • Hernias can be fixed with an operation.
• Incontinence –  possibly involuntary urination or defecation or both. For practical information, click here. 
• Internal abscesses can form. An abscess is a painful collection of pus that is caused by a bacterial infection.
• Kidney infections. 
  • If not treated promptly, a kidney infection can permanently damage your kidneys or the bacteria can spread to your bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection. 
  • Kidney infections can be treated with antibiotics. 
  • According to the Mayo clinic, symptoms include: Fever, Back, side (flank) or groin pain, Abdominal pain, frequent urination, a strong, persistent urge to urinate, burning sensation or pain when urinating and/or pus or blood in your urine.
• Lymphedema could appear. 
  • Lymphedema is an accumulation of lymph fluid that may cause swelling in a nearby limb such as an arm or a leg (and sometimes elsewhere in the body). When the lymph fluid is unable to drain, it remains in the soft tissue of the lymph node or area where infections can develop. 
  • Lymphedema is uncomfortable and can also be unsightly. 
  • New medical techniques make lymphedema less likely to appear than previously. Still, it is advisable to do what you can to avoid lymphedema. For information, click here. 
• Psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. (See the documents in "To Learn More.")
• Scar tissue that immobilizes or obstructs bowels (adhesions).
  • There could be dysfunction of kidneys and ureters because of blockages caused by adhesions.
  • Symptoms from adhesions vary depending on the tissues involved. Adhesions can be painful.
  • In the gastrointestinal tract, bowel obstructions may occur. Mechanical small bowel obstruction can be the most severe effect of adhesions. Adhesions in the uterus and in the pelvis, and adhesions which block the ends of the fallopian tubes, can cause infertility and possibly other reproductive problems.

While the risk is small, there is an increased risk of developing a new cancer at the site which was operated on. This is just one more reason to do your best to live a healthy, cancer prevention lifestyle and to keep follow-up appointments.

Contact your cancer doctor if:

• You experience any of the above conditions and the tips provided in related documents don’t help.
• If any of the conditions are so severe that they interfere with your daily living.
• Unexpected symptoms appear. Also let your primary care doctor know about these symptoms in case they do not relate to colorectal cancer.
• You experience any of the symptoms listed in the section:   “If These Symptoms Appear, Contact Your Doctor.” 

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