Cloud Surgical Solutions Press Release

Laparoscopic Surgical Method - Less Invasive for Colon Cancer Patients
Local surgeon offers free Colorectal Cancer seminar in observance of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Morganton - Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States with approximately 107,300 new cases diagnosed annually. March has been designated as the National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and Dr. William G. Cloud of Cloud Surgical Solutions will host a free seminar to discuss screening and treatment options for Colorectal Cancer. This free seminar will be held Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30 pm in the lobby of Cloud Surgical Solutions located in Grace Medical Park at 117 Foothills Drive, Building D in Morganton. Due to limited seating reservations are recommended. Please contact Chasity at (828) 437-0847 for more information or to reserve your seat.

Starting at age 50, colon screening should be a part of routine care, especially for those with first-degree relatives with colorectal cancer. Other risk factors for developing colon cancer include: African American ethnicity; personal history of colon polyps or previously treated for colon, ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer; inflammatory bowel disease; or eating a diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables. Warning signs for colon cancer may include rectal bleeding, blood in or on stool, a change in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss. "It's important for men and women over 50 to be screened for colon cancer," said Dr. William Cloud "just like other types of cancer, the earlier a tumor is detected and treated the higher the rate of survival."

Colon screenings should encompass a fecal occult blood test, a colonoscopy and a CT scan, if a malignant tumor is found. A surgical excision of any cancerous tissue is recommended.

Traditionally, surgeons open the abdomen with a large incision measuring 8 to 12 inches long, which requires longer healing time and causes significant postoperative pain. While this approach has been the "gold standard" treatment of colon cancer, a more recent advance in laparoscopic surgery offers patients a smaller incision size, less pain and blood loss and a faster recovery. With laparoscopic surgery, three half-inch incisions and a two-inch cut are made. One incision accommodates the laparoscope (a miniature video camera) and the others accommodate a series of surgical instruments manipulated by the surgeon to remove the diseased portion of the colon. Once the diseased segment of the colon is extracted thru a larger incision, the healthy parts of the colon are then reconnected, and the incisions are closed with surgical tape or stitches. The New England Journal of Medicine reported in May 2004 that laparoscopic surgery is just as effective as open surgery for removal of most colon cancers.

Dr. William Cloud is a board-certified general and vascular surgeon who has significant experience in cancer and abdominal surgery, and particularly laparoscopic surgery. For more information on Dr. Cloud and Cloud Surgical Solutions visit www.cloudsurgicalsolutions.com.

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