When might a survivor need an ostomy?
Ostomies can be temporary or permanent. A temporary ostomy may be performed to allow healing to an area of the bowel or bladder below the ostomy. A permanent ostomy may be needed if the location of the cancer requires that the end of the colon (rectum), the entire colon, or the entire bladder be removed. Most ostomies for cancer survivors are done during the first stages of surgical treatment to remove the cancer. However, some may be done months or years later, if there are changes to tissue that was treated with radiation. If cancer affects the bowel or bladder, there may be a need for a colostomy, a urostomy, or in rare situations, both. An ostomy may also be needed because of treatment side effects from radiation therapy or surgery. For example, radiation to the prostate or cervix may cause a change in the bowel or bladder that interferes with elimination. Examples of spread of cancer that can require ostomies include: • Cancers of the lymph nodes that spread to the bowel • Cancer
