What is TME surgery?
Total mesorectal excision (TME) is a type of procedure to remove cancer from the end of the anal area (rectum). In this procedure, the surgeon removes the part of the rectum that contains cancer and some healthy tissue on either side.
They also remove the fatty tissue (mesorectum) around the rectum, which contains the blood vessels and lymph nodes. Removing the mesorectum reduces the risk of any cancer being left behind. This procedure can sometimes be used for early-stage cancers that are higher in the rectum and not accessible by other procedures.
A specially designed magnifying scope is inserted through the anus and into the rectum. This allows the surgeon to remove the cancerous part with greater precision and accuracy.
How is a TME surgery performed?
Total mesorectal excision (TME) is performed under general anesthesia with or without an epidural painkiller. The procedure is performed by a specially designed instrument called a laparoscope.
The rectum and colon are freed up from the surrounding attachments so that the diseased segment can be safely removed along with some of the fatty tissue that carries the blood vessels and lymph drainage to the bowel.
The ends of the intestine are then reattached. At the end of the operation, the abdominal wall is stitched up and then the skin is closed, usually with absorbable sutures.
The rectal procedure has three different methods of approach:
- Anterior resection or TME: Anterior resection is usually used for cancers in the upper and middle parts of the rectum (close to the colon). After the cancer is removed from the area, the surgeon rejoins the two open ends of the intestine. Some people may need an artificial opening called a stoma after this operation. This artificial opening is usually closed after a few months.
- Colo-anal and J pouch surgery: This method may be used for removing cancers in the lower rectum. The surgeon removes the entire rectum and attaches the intestine to the anus. Sometimes, the surgeon makes a pouch (called a J pouch) from part of the colon, before joining it to the anus. The pouch acts like a new rectum and stores stools until it is convenient to pass them. Usually, the patients need an artificial opening for this procedure, which is later closed upon the patient’s recovery.
- Abdominoperineal resection (APR): This method is usually used for cancers that are very low in the rectum (near to the anus). To remove all cancers, the surgeon needs to remove the rectum and anus. The patient might have a permanent artificial opening for this procedure because the anal area is completely removed.
SLIDESHOW
Skin Cancer Symptoms, Types, Images See SlideshowWhat are the risks involved in TME surgery?
Total mesorectal excision (TME) procedure is associated with the following risks:
- Anesthesia complications such as headache, drowsiness, and vomiting
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Infection in the surgical area
- Leak from the joined area
- Blood clot in the veins or lungs
- Impaired rectum function
- Stigma due to the presence of an artificial opening
What is the outcome of TME surgery?
Patients who have rectal cancer that is confined to the lower two-third of the rectum are generally considered good candidates for a total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery. Patients are usually discharged within a week after the procedure. Patients typically have a five-year survival rate with fewer complications after a TME procedure.
What is complete mesocolic excision (CME)?
Complete mesocolic excision (CME) is the surgical treatment of colon (large intestine) cancer. The goal of this procedure is to remove the affected large intestine along with some healthy tissue on either side.
Usually, the surgeon also removes the fatty tissue (mesocolon) around the colon, which contains the blood vessels and lymph nodes. Removing the mesocolon reduces the risk of any cancer being left behind.
This procedure is performed under a specially designed laparoscope under general anesthesia. CME adopts the same principle as total mesorectal excision (TME).
Latest Cancer News
Daily Health News
More Health News »Trending on MedicineNet
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medscape Medical Reference
Top What Is a TME Surgery Related Articles
Anal Cancer
Anal cancer, cancer located at the end of the large intestine, has symptoms that include anal or rectal bleeding, anal pain or pressure, anal discharge or itching, a change in bowel movements, and/or a lump in the anal region. Treatment for anal cancer may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery and depends upon the stage of the cancer, its location, whether cancer is eradicated after the first treatment, and whether the patient has HIV.
Anal cancer is usually curable when found localized. Early detection remains the key to long-term survival as it is in many forms of cancer.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Cancer 101 Slideshow
Learn the basics about cancer including types, causes, how it spreads, symptoms and signs, stages and treatment options. Read about the common type of cancers.
Cancer Risk Factors
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Screening Tests for Cancer
Cancer detection are methods used to find cancer in persons who may or may not have symptoms. Symptoms of cancer are abnormal sensations or conditions that persons can notice that are a result of the cancer. It is important to your doctor for regular checkups and not wait for problems to occur.
Cancer Quiz
Take this quiz to learn the causes of cancer. Get the facts about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for the world's most common cancers.
Colon Cancer
Colon cancer (bowel cancer) is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
Colon Cancer Diet
Diet, including nutrient, antioxidant, and vitamin intake, affects colon cancer risk. Certain dietary factors either decrease or increase the risk of colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and other diseases. Dietary factors may either inhibit or stimulate the development of cancer cells. Have a nutrition plan that decreases the risk.Colon Cancer Illustrations
Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer. See a picture of Colon Cancer and learn more about the health topic.
Colon Cancer Prevention
Colorectal cancer is both curable and preventable if it is detected early and completely removed before the cancerous cells metastasize to other parts of the body. Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy (along with digital rectal examination and stool occult blood testing) are both effective at preventing colo-rectal cancers and detecting early colo-rectal cancers.
Colon and Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colon cancer is preventable by removing precancerous colon polyps, and it is curable if early cancer is surgically removed before cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Therefore, if screening and surveillance programs were practiced universally, there would be a major reduction in the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer.
Colon Polyps: Symptoms, Causes, Cancer Risk, Treatment, and Prevention
Colon polyps are common growths on the inner lining of the colon. Colon polyps may become cancerous. There are several different types of colon polyps, and the chance of the polyp becoming cancerous depends on the type, size, and histology. Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding are the most common symptoms of colon polyps. Treatment for colon polyps depend on the type, size, and histology.
Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Quiz
What is colorectal (colon) cancer and who gets it? Take this quiz to find out how this disease may be prevented.
Colon Cancer Slideshow
Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) is the cause of many cancer deaths. Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, screening process, stages, and treatment related to colorectal cancer.
What Conditions Do You Need a Bone Marrow Transplant for?
Diseases of the marrow and blood can be debilitating or fatal, but for certain diseases, a treatment method is to implant some healthy bone marrow from a genetically compatible donor into a patient in the hope it will grow and replace the diseased marrow. Often, the patient’s own cancerous marrow is destroyed prior to restoring the patient’s marrow with the new healthy donor cells.
Early Warning Signs and Stages of Colon Cancer
Colon cancer or colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that begins in the cells lining the large intestine (colon). In the early stages of colon cancer, warning signs and symptoms usually don’t occur. Colon cancer usually does not have any signs or symptoms. As the cancer grows and expands it may begin to produce signs and symptoms, for example, diarrhea, constipation, blood in the stool, and narrow or pencil-thin stools.
There are four stages of colon cancer; however, The term Stage 0 is sometimes used for a very early cancer that only affects the lining of the intestine. The other stages of colon cancer are stage 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Men's Cancer Symptoms
See pictures of which 15 cancer symptoms men ignore such as skin changes, difficulty swallowing, rapid weight loss, a breast mass, and more. Learn possible clues to finding and detecting cancer early.