Minimally Invasive Solutions: Advanced Robotics Redefining Colon Cancer Treatment

The American Cancer Society estimates the total number of new cases of colon cancer in the United States for 2024 will be about 106,590 — 54,210 in men and 52,380 in women. In addition, there will be about 46,220 new cases of rectal cancer — 27,330 in men and 18,890 in women.

In the US, colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and the fourth-leading cause in women. However, when the two groups are combined, it rises to the second-leading cause, estimated to lead to 53,010 deaths in 2024.

The good news is that, in older adults, deaths from colorectal cancer have been dropping for several decades. There are three primary reasons for this. The first is that colorectal polyps are now being found more often by screening (i.e., colonoscopy) and removed before they can develop into cancers.

The second is that many colorectal cancers are being found earlier when they're likely to be easier to treat. The third is that treatments for colorectal cancer have improved.

In people under 55, though, the death rate has increased by about 1% per year since the mid-2000s.At Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota, board-certified general surgeon Dr. John Bollins and our team specialize in performing colon surgery to treat colorectal cancer and other digestive tract problems. We also specialize in minimally invasive and advanced robotic options, which can revolutionize care. Here's how it works.

Surgery for colon cancer

Colon cancer is most commonly treated with one or more surgical procedures. These include but aren’t limited to:

Polypectomy

This surgery removes cancerous polyps from the colon.

Partial colectomy

Also known as colon resection surgery, Dr. Bollins removes the part of your colon containing the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue. He then reconnects the healthy colon sections in a procedure called anastomosis.

Surgical resection with colostomy

As with a colectomy, Dr. Bollins removes the section of your colon containing the tumor. However, he’s unable to connect healthy colon sections, so he performs a colostomy. The bowel is moved to an opening in your abdominal wall, and poop gets excreted through the resulting stoma into an external bag.

Radiofrequency ablation

This procedure uses heat to kill off cancer cells.

Surgery is often combined with adjuvant therapy and cancer treatment administered either before or after the procedure. The doctor may also use these treatments for colon cancer that has returned or metastasized to other areas of the body. Treatments may include:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy drugs can shrink tumors and ease colon cancer symptoms.

Targeted therapy

This treatment targets the genes, proteins, and tissues that allow colon cancer cells to grow and multiply. A common type of targeted therapy is called monoclonal antibody therapy. It uses lab-created antibodies that attach to specific targets on cancer cells or any cells that help them grow. The antibodies kill the cancer cells.

Minimally invasive and advanced robotic solutions

Dr. Bollins leads the most experienced and successful minimally invasive robotic surgery team in Northland, and it can help you recover from your colon surgery with fewer risks and shorter downtime.

Robotic surgery can be minimally invasive, and we specialize in using the state-of-the-art da Vinci® robotic system. These surgeries aren't robot-controlled but rather robotic-assisted. Dr. Bollins controls the robotic arms from the workstation, which holds the instruments.

The platform sports the following advantages:

Sensitive finger controls

The highly sensitive finger controls allow Dr. Bollins to manipulate the robotic arms, which are smaller than human hands and can easily reach small spaces within your body and work there with great precision.

Extensive movement

The "wrists" on the robotic arms are human-like but better. Their technology allows fine movement and a range of motion superior to human hands. The system can also filter out natural hand tremors during a procedure.

Superior visualization

The da Vinci 3DHD visualization gives Dr. Bollins an exceptional view inside your body. The platform transmits 3D images to the doctor with up to 10x magnification. In addition, it boosts visualization by highlighting specific structures.

If you’re dealing with colorectal cancer, you’re probably going to need surgery, and Advanced Surgical Associates of Northern Minnesota has the best team and technology you could ask for. Call our office in Hibbing, Duluth, or Ely, Minnesota, or book your appointment online.

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