Surgical procedures for colorectal cancer include:

• Partial colectomy for colon cancer
• Total colectomy with colostomy for colon cancer
• Laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer

Some people who require removal of large parts of the colon will require a colostomy. This allows stool to flow into a bag on the abdominal wall. Sometimes the colostomies are temporary, while others are permanent.

Less than 1% of patients with colon cancer require a colostomy.