What can you expect when you are diagnosed with colon cancer?

Colon cancer…

… or its suspected presence is diagnosed in the event of acute symptoms or by means of colonoscopy. In order to be able to identify the stage of cancer and the surgical treatment options, further examinations are usually required. These examinations can be performed by either your general practitioner or a physician of Klinikum Erding.

The treatment…

… is determined at the tumour conference, a weekly meeting attended by the physicians of all collaborating specialist departments as well as further local specialists. At this meeting, the general practitioner of the patient has the opportunity to give a summary of his patient’s condition, provided that the most important findings are available, but can also do so after the patient has been admitted to Klinikum Landkreis Erding for inpatient treatment. At the tumour conference, each case is discussed intensively in order to find the most appropriate treatment for the patient. The treatment decision is directly forwarded to the general practitioner and the attending physicians – e.g. at the surgical department – enabling them to take initial measures immediately.

Surgical treatment…

… is unavoidable in most cases. The colon section affected by cancer is removed. If the rectum is also affected, it may be necessary to perform what is referred to as neo-adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy prior to the surgery. This treatment procedure is usually coordinated at the collaborating haematooncologic practices.

The patient is informed about the date of admission for surgery either directly by the hospital or by his general practitioner. The patient is provided all necessary information about the admission procedure, the surgical procedure and the further treatment by the hospital’s attending physicians.

After surgery…

…the pathologist prepares the final result, which is discussed at the tumour conference to determine the recommended follow-up care or treatment (e.g. chemotherapy). In the event that the location of the colon cancer and the specific circumstances necessitate a stoma, the patient can rely on professional stoma care after the surgery. The in-house Therapy Centre helps mobilise the patients after surgery so that they can regain their independence as quickly as possible. Affected patients can also find competent points of contact when it comes to further problems associated with colon cancer: a dietary adviser assists patients with nutritional problems; psycho-oncologic support is available in the event of emotional problems such as depression.

On discharge…

… the patient receives a small individual patient book, in which all necessary oral and written information is compiled; in addition, a tumour passport is issued. In the event that further wound treatment is required, the patient can nevertheless be discharged – appointments for follow-up care can be arranged with the secretariat of the Visceral Surgery Department.

Follow-up care…

…is provided by the general practitioner or the registered specialist. However, the team of the Gastroenterology Centre at Klinikum Landkreis Erding continues to be at the patient’s disposal and also makes inquiries about the health condition of discharged patients as part of quality assurance.