Surgery For
Colorectal Cancer

Surgery for colorectal cancer is one of the most common and effective treatments used to remove cancer and improve long-term health. Whether the cancer is found in the colon or rectum, surgery can help remove the cancerous tissue and stop the disease from spreading. Depending on the stage and location of the tumor, different types of surgery may be used.

What to Expect from Colorectal Cancer Surgery

We will help you understand what to expect from surgery for colorectal cancer, including available options, how surgeons make decisions, and what recovery might look like. We’ll also explain the differences between open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery, and when each method might be used.

Understanding Colorectal Cancer and Surgery

Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum, parts of the body that help process and remove waste. Surgery is often the first step to remove the cancer, especially in the early stage. In many cases, doctors recommend surgery to stop cancer before it spreads to nearby lymph nodes or other areas.

Goal of Colorectal Cancer Surgery

The main goal of any surgery for colon cancer or rectal cancer is to take out the tumor along with some healthy tissue around it. This helps reduce the chances of cancer returning. Sometimes, the surgeon removes part of the affected organ, or in more advanced cases, the entire section may need to go.

The decision depends on several factors including the size, location, and stage of the cancer.

Why Choose Onco Life Centre for Colorectal Cancer Care

Coordinated Surgical Care

We partner with skilled colorectal surgeons to ensure you receive the most suitable surgical treatment—whether it’s laparoscopic, robotic, or open surgery.

Advanced Diagnostic Tools

We use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to ensure clear, precise results, helping to guide the most effective treatment plan for your specific needs.

Comprehensive Support

From managing appointments to post-surgery recovery and beyond, our dedicated team supports every part of your cancer care journey.

Types of Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Surgeons choose the best surgical method based on your cancer’s location, size, and how far it has spread. Here are the most common types of surgery to remove colorectal cancer:

Open Surgery

In this approach, the surgeon makes one large cut in the belly to reach the tumor. This method gives the doctor a full view of the area and is still used in many cases, especially if the cancer has spread.

Open surgery allows the doctor to check nearby organs and lymph nodes for signs of cancer. It may also be used when other methods are not possible due to the tumor’s size or position.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

This category includes both laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery. These techniques use smaller incisions and special tools, which often result in faster recovery and less pain.

Laparoscopic Surgery
In laparoscopic surgery, the doctor makes several small cuts and inserts a camera to see inside the body. The doctor uses long, thin tools to remove the cancer.

Doctors usually choose this method when the tumor sits in an easy-to-reach part of the colon and hasn’t spread far. This method treats both colon cancer and rectal cancer.

Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery works like laparoscopic surgery, but a robotic system holds and moves the tools. The surgeon controls the robot to operate with greater precision, which helps in tight or delicate areas.

Like laparoscopy, robotic surgery uses smaller cuts, reduces pain, and shortens healing time. However, doctors do not recommend it for every patient.

The Most Common Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

One of the most frequently performed surgeries is a partial colectomy. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the tumor along with a part of the colon or rectum and some healthy tissue around it. This approach helps reduce the risk of the cancer coming back and is often used in both early and advanced stages.

Laparoscopic vs. Robotic Surgery

Both laparoscopic and robotic surgery fall under minimally invasive methods. Laparoscopic surgery involves small incisions and a tiny camera to guide the tools.

Robotic surgery, while similar, uses a robotic arm controlled by the surgeon, offering greater precision in delicate or hard-to-reach areas. The choice depends on the tumor’s location, size, and the patient’s overall health.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery time depends on the surgical method and personal health condition. After surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. Full recovery at home can take 2 to 4 weeks.

Minimally invasive techniques often lead to shorter hospital stays, less pain, and faster healing than traditional open surgery.

What Happens During the Surgery

During the operation, the doctor removes the tumor, nearby healthy tissue, and sometimes part of the colon or rectum. Doctors call it a partial colectomy when they remove only part of the colon.

In most cases, the surgeon also removes nearby lymph nodes to check if the cancer has spread. This helps the team decide if more treatment is needed after surgery.

If the surgeon removes a large section, they may create a temporary or permanent opening in the belly called a stoma. This opening lets waste leave the body while healing happens.

Factors Including Recovery Time and Outcome

Many factors including your age, overall health, and the type of surgery affect how you recover. Most people stay in the hospital for a few days and recover at home in a few weeks.

If you had minimally invasive surgery, recovery may be faster with less pain. But each person heals differently. Your doctor will give you care instructions to help avoid problems.

If the cancer is in the early stage, surgery alone may be enough. If the cancer has spread, you may need more treatment like chemotherapy.

Benefits of Choosing the Right Surgery

Choosing the right type of surgery can lead to better results. Minimally invasive surgery can help you heal faster with less scarring. But open surgery may still be best for more complex cases.

Your doctor will help you decide based on your tumor’s size, location, and your health. Sometimes, newer options like robotic surgery may give better results in tricky areas.

In all cases, the main goal is to remove the cancer and protect your future health. With early detection and the right care, many people go on to live healthy, full lives.

Final Thoughts: Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

To sum up, surgery for colorectal cancer remains a key step in fighting this disease. Whether done through open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or robotic surgery, the goal is to remove the cancer, protect healthy tissue, and reduce the chance of it coming back.

Doctors consider many factors including the tumor’s location, stage, and your health before choosing the best option.

At Onco Life Centre, we ensure your care is handled with precision and compassion. With the right care team, recovery is possible—and life after cancer can be full of hope and health.

Your Journey

Start Your Recovery

Our dedicated Patient Navigator will assist you with appointment scheduling. Contact us at +6012-3993260 (Call or Whatsapp ).

First Consultation

On appointment day, bring along all the medical reports and your identity documents, ie. identity card or passport. Our team will help you organize the medical reports for our oncologist to review. Our oncologist will discuss the treatment plan with you. Tele-consult is available for overseas patients.

Treatment Day

Come to our center on an agreed date and time for the treatment. Our team will take good care of you. You will be discharged on the same day. Yes, you will get to go home after every treatment visit as no overnight admission is required.

Stay on Track

Our dedicated patient navigator will be following up with you post treatment to check on your condition, to ensure that you are doing well. You will receive a reminder message on your phone for the next appointment date.

Dr. Christina Ng Van Tze

Consultant Medical Oncologist
Medical Director
MBBS (Melb) FRACP (Aus)

Monday - Friday : 08:00 AM TO 06:00 PM

Saturday : 08:00 AM TO 02:00 PM

D. Joseph K. Joseph

Consultant Medical Oncologist
MBBCH, BAO (IRE) MRCP (UK)

Wednesday : 08:00 AM TO 12:00 PM

Friday : 08:00 AM TO 12:00 PM

Advocacy Programs

Dr. Christina Ng Represents Onco Life Centre at ESMO 2025

Hello, I’m Dr. Christina Ng Van Tze, a Consultant Medical Oncologist and Medical Director at Onco Life Centre, as well as the Founder President of Empowered The Cancer Advocacy Society of Malaysia. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about advancing personalized cancer treatment, strengthening community advocacy, and expanding access to high-quality care for patients across Malaysia.

Attending the ESMO Congress 2025 in Berlin was both inspiring and energizing. Representing Onco Life Centre, our dedicated medical centre in Malaysia, I stood among global leaders committed to shaping the future of oncology. This year’s congress was filled with remarkable scientific breakthroughs, thoughtful discussions, and a renewed sense of purpose as we work toward better outcomes and better lives for our patients.

A Global Gathering Focused on Precision Cancer Care

ESMO 2025 brought together thousands of clinicians, researchers, and advocates from around the world. What made this year particularly exciting was the strong emphasis on precision medicine, from cancer genetics and molecular profiling to advanced imaging and AI-powered diagnostic tools. These advancements are aligning closely with the work we do at Onco Life Centre, where patient individuality and tumor biology guide our treatment decisions.

Throughout the congress, many experts highlighted the importance of understanding each patient’s tumor in greater depth. Whether through genomic sequencing, circulating tumor DNA, or radiomic analyses, the oncology community is moving firmly toward personalized strategies. As someone who has long championed individualized care, I found these sessions especially meaningful.

Key Scientific Sessions That Inspired Me

One of the standout presentations was the evERA BC trial, a major study evaluating the combination of giredestrant, an oral SERD, with an mTOR inhibitor drug in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The results showed a significant improvement in progression-free survival, especially in tumors driven by ESR1 mutations. For patients who have progressed on CDK4/6 inhibitors, this combination may become an essential addition to our treatment toolbox.

This study also supports a larger movement within oncology—creating thoughtful, layered treatment plans that address resistance pathways and extend the time patients can remain on endocrine-based therapies. It’s a direction that can profoundly benefit Malaysian women, many of whom are diagnosed at younger ages or have aggressive tumor profiles.

Insights from the thoracic oncology sessions were equally impactful. Advances in lung cancer, including AI-driven pathology models, updated ALK-targeted treatment strategies, and ctDNA-guided therapy adjustments, reminded me just how quickly this field is evolving. Given the increasing prevalence of lung cancer in Malaysia, especially among non-smokers and women, these developments hold tremendous value for our community.

The Role of AI in Transforming Clinical Practice

One major theme across the congress was the integration of artificial intelligence into clinical decision-making. Researchers demonstrated how AI models can analyze pathology slides, radiology images, and genomic data to predict which patients are more likely to respond to immunotherapy or targeted treatment. These tools help us avoid ineffective therapies and guide patients toward options with the most tremendous potential.

At Onco Life Centre, we have been exploring the use of digital technologies to streamline assessments and enhance patient monitoring. Seeing the global oncology community embrace these tools assures me that we are moving in the right direction. I hope that AI will continue to improve early detection, refine treatment selection, and ultimately support better survival outcomes for Malaysian patients.

Representing Onco Life Centre on the International Stage

Representing Onco Life Centre at an event of this scale was a true honor. Our centre has always focused on delivering holistic, science-driven care, and it was wonderful to share our experiences with colleagues from around the world. I had meaningful conversations about challenges related to access to molecular testing globally, variability in treatment availability, and the need for stronger psycho-oncology support systems.

These interactions not only validated the work we do but also highlighted areas where we can continue to grow. Bringing international insights back to Malaysia ensures that our patients benefit from the same cutting-edge thinking shaping care in Europe, America, and beyond.

Bringing ESMO Insights Home to Malaysia

Returning from Berlin, I feel a renewed commitment to integrating the latest research into our daily practice. In the coming months, we aim to:

Enhance our use of molecular profiling for breast, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers
Expand ctDNA testing where appropriate to guide treatment decisions
Strengthen multidisciplinary discussions for complex cases
Continue investing in supportive care and psycho-oncology services
Provide patients and families with clearer, more personalized education about treatment choices

As a clinician, I believe that every advancement, no matter how technical, must ultimately translate into compassionate, human-centered care. This balance of science and empathy remains at the core of our mission.

A Future of Hope and Collaboration

ESMO 2025 reaffirmed what I’ve always believed: oncology is advancing rapidly, but meaningful progress relies on collaboration, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to patient care. I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity to represent Onco Life Centre on this global platform. Being part of these critical conversations strengthens our mission to raise the standard of oncology in Malaysia. It ensures our patients benefit from the latest, most effective innovations in cancer care.

Moving forward, we will continue engaging with global partners, conducting meaningful advocacy through Empowered, and ensuring our patients receive the highest standard of personalized treatment.

Together, we can build a future where every individual facing cancer feels seen, supported, and empowered.

Onco Life Centre Wins 2025 Best Oncology Clinic in Malaysia

We are proud to share that Onco Life Centre has been named the Oncology Clinic and Treatment Centre of the Year in Malaysia at the GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards 2025, held in Bangkok.

This prestigious recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering personalized, compassionate, and cutting-edge cancer care to our patients. The award reflects not just our clinical excellence, but our dedication to safety, community outreach, and innovation in oncology services.

The GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards celebrate leading healthcare institutions across the region. Winners are chosen based on a comprehensive evaluation of criteria such as:

Excellence and Innovation: Transforming healthcare delivery and patient outcomes through progressive medical practices.
Patient Safety: Upholding the highest standards to ensure safe, comfortable, and effective treatment environments.
Community Involvement: Actively engaging in public awareness, screening programs, and care for underprivileged communities.
Technology Adoption: Integrating advanced diagnostics, therapies, and digital tools to enhance every aspect of care.
Impact and Measurable Results: Demonstrating tangible improvements in cancer detection, treatment success, and patient well-being.
Adaptability and Preparedness: Being resilient and forward-thinking in the face of global health challenges.
Leadership and Vision: Cultivating a culture that prioritizes empathy, innovation, and ongoing education.

This award inspires us to continue raising the bar in oncology care—not only through medical advancements but by remaining deeply rooted in our advocacy mission: to serve, educate, and empower every cancer patient, especially those most in need.

We dedicate this achievement to our patients, survivors, caregivers, and the entire Onco Life Centre community. Your courage fuels our purpose. Together, we will continue the fight—because every life matters.