Colorectal

Bowel cancer arises in the colon or rectum and is one of the most common cancers in Australia. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and is planned with our medical oncology colleagues so that chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are sequenced for the best outcome.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory conditions of the bowel. Most patients are managed with medication, but surgery has an important role when medications are not enough or complications develop.

Diverticular disease is a common condition in which small pouches form in the wall of the colon. Most people have no symptoms, but the pouches can become inflamed (diverticulitis) or cause bleeding, and some patients benefit from surgery.

Deep infiltrating endometriosis can involve the bowel, most commonly the rectum and sigmoid colon. Our colorectal surgeon works alongside gynaecologists to remove bowel endometriosis safely in a single, coordinated operation.

Haemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, rectal prolapse, faecal incontinence and anal sphincter injuries are common, often distressing, and very treatable. Our colorectal surgeon has additional fellowship training in pelvic floor and anal sphincter physiology.

Tumours of the small intestine are uncommon and include neuroendocrine tumours, gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs), adenocarcinoma and lymphoma. They are often diagnosed late because symptoms are vague, and surgery is the main treatment for most types.

Pilonidal disease is a chronic infection in the skin of the natal cleft between the buttocks, caused by hair burrowing under the skin. It most commonly affects young adults and is treated with drainage of abscesses and, for recurrent disease, a definitive operation.