• In rare instances, an obstruction of the bowel from colorectal or anal cancer may be decompressed by
endoscopic laser therapy. This may allow surgery or other therapies to be planned on an elective rather than
an emergency basis.
Anal Cancer What is often treated is a growing adenoma or an obstructing cancer when surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are not appropriate treatments. Again, the best results from laser treatment are when the tumor is within the lumen rather than extending through the wall to adjacent tissues. A well-differentiated cancer that is small (less than 2.5-3 cm/1 in.), non-ulcerating and growing into the lumen may have the best results.
The procedure is the same as for colon cancer and can be repeated after about 48 hours if you are in the hospital or about a week later if you are being treated as an outpatient. Several treatments might be needed to completely remove the obstruction.
• Fluid might accumulate in the tissues, which may temporarily intensify the obstruction or require
pain-relieving medications.
• Retreatment is usually necessary four, six or twelve weeks after the obstruction is first removed.
• Many studies have shown that the obstructed lumen can be kept open in approximately 90 percent of cases.
Bleeding can be controlled in over 85 percent of cases.
