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Houston Colorectal Surgeon on Importance of Screenings for Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Houston, TX — According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year and over 50,000 people die from the condition, making it the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Dr. Eric Haas, a colon and rectal surgeon in Houston, says there are a number of ways to help prevent colon cancer, and early detection can result in almost 100% cure rate. As the nationally recognized colon cancer awareness month comes to a close, Dr. Haas says he hopes to promote further education about colorectal cancer and its dangers in March, in addition to encouraging more people to undergo regular screenings year round to help prevent the deadly disease.

The CDC reports that more than 90% of all colorectal cancer cases occur in patients over the age of 50, a statistic Dr. Haas says he has observed at his Houston colon surgery practice. However, Dr. Haas also says patients who have routine screenings such as colonoscopies or stool tests have a much greater chance of detecting the cancer early on and potentially saving their life from the fatal disease. With the advent of advanced modern medical technology, Dr. Haas says patients and surgeons now have a number of reliable tools at their disposal for identifying precancerous polyps and growths. Having recently presented his findings at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) in San Diego, CA, he says patient awareness of the available methods for detecting and treating colon cancer is now more important than ever.

A colonoscopy uses a flexible camera instrument called a colonoscope to internally examine the colon for polyps, which are non-cancerous growths that can develop into colon cancer. Dr. Haas says for patients 50 and over and for those with any warning signs, undergoing a colonoscopy in Houston can remove dangerous polyps and also be an effective way to reduce their risk of contracting colorectal cancer. While Dr. Haas and the CDC recommend patients seek a routine colonoscopy every ten years, he also says stool tests can help detect possible early signs of the cancer as well.

Through expert surgical techniques, Dr. Haas also says treatment of colon cancer has improved dramatically, with procedures that can help reduce scarring and pain as well as quicken recovery time. Dr. Haas is actively involved in the promotion of modern and innovative techniques such as Laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery. Previously colon surgery for cancer was performed through open surgery with a large scar across the belly. Dr. Haas and the surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates now use minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to cure patients. In these procedures, surgical trauma is greatly reduced and the scar is much smaller. With this advanced technique, patients have significantly less pain and a quicker return to normal intestinal and overall physical activity.

Single incision Laparoscopic surgery is the most recent breakthrough in the history of minimally invasive, laparoscopic colon surgery. This technique involves one single, small incision, which is ‘’hidden” through the navel. The most obvious benefit for the patient is the lack of apparent scar tissue, with only a handful of surgeons worldwide utilizing this type of advanced surgery. Dr. Haas says patients benefit from these updated procedures in many ways, including a faster recovery period and minimization of blood loss and scarring.

In addition to having regular colon cancer screenings, Dr. Haas says one of the most important ways to help prevent the spread of colorectal cancer is to stay educated about the disease. He urges patients to exercise and sustain a regular body weight; eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods; avoid foods that are high in fat; avoid smoking and drink alcohol in moderation. By maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle and keeping up-to-date with the latest information regarding colon cancer awareness, Dr. Haas says patients can help prolong their life and minimize the risk of future complications.

About Eric Haas, MD, FACS, FASCRS

A graduate of the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Dr. Eric Haas completed his General Surgery residency at St. Joseph Hospital and fellowship training in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the University of Texas Medical School Fellowship Program. He is double board-certified by the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, and the Program Director of the Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Program. Dr. Haas is also Faculty for the Baylor College of Medicine and an active member of the Texas Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, and numerous other professional organizations.

Dr. Haas’ practice, the Colorectal Surgical Associates, has three locations in the Houston area: 7900 Fannin, Suite 2700 in Houston, TX; 16605 Southwest Freeway Suite 430 in Sugar Land, TX; and 11914 Astoria Blvd. Suite 320 in Houston, TX. It can also be reached at (713) 790-0600 or contacted online via the website houstoncolon.com, drerichaas.com or facebook.com/houstoncolon, facebook.com/drerichaas .

Contact:
Rosemont Media
Aaron Hurst
aaron@rosemontmedia.com
(858) 200-0044
www.rosemontmedia.com

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Current Surgical Breakthroughs in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Minimally Invasive Surgery and Enhanced Recovery

March 6, 2012

Objectives:
At the conclusion of the activities, the audience should be able to:

1. Understand the background of minimally invasive surgery for the management of colorectal cancer
2. Discuss the current role of surgical breakthroughs for the management of colorectal cancer including reduced-port surgery for colon cancer and innovative local resection techniques for early rectal cancer
3. Address current reported patient outcomes following minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer
4. Discuss the current status and impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway for colorectal surgery

Houston Colorectal Surgeon Discusses Advanced Robotic Surgery for Cancer Treatment

Colorectal Surgeon in Houston Utilizes Robotic Colon Surgery for Cancer Treatment

According to the latest study from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), colorectal cancer strikes approximately 140,000 people each year, causing 60,000 deaths. Dr. Eric Haas, a rectal and colon surgeon in Houston, says robotic surgery is helping change the face of cancer treatment and surgical procedures of the colon or rectum. Dr. Haas discusses the benefits of such an advanced procedure as well as the importance of undergoing extensive training as a surgeon before performing a robotic colorectal surgery procedure.

At his Houston rectal surgery practice, Dr. Eric Haas says proper training is one of the most essential factors to look for in a surgeon for patients considering colon or rectal surgery. Dr. Haas, one of only a handful of surgeons in the U.S. trained in robotic-assisted colorectal surgery, has performed over 150 robotic laparoscopic surgeries between 2008 and 2010 and has been educating other surgeons in the performance of such procedures. The most recent statistics from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) reports that colorectal cancer kills 60,000 people each year and affects about 140,000 people total. According to the ASCRS study, surgery is required in nearly all cases in order to achieve a complete cure, while between 80 and 90 percent of patients can be restored to normal health if the cancer is detected and treated in early stages.

With advanced robotic surgery, Dr. Haas says surgeons can achieve the highest level of efficiency and precision while improving patient safety and effective results. He says the innovative surgery improves physician control and precision by providing more accurate movements and reducing the physical demand of surgeons during long procedures. When performing rectal surgery, Dr. Haas says surgeons utilizing robotic instruments also have a much clearer view of their instruments and patient anatomy thanks to the enhanced 3D visualization afforded by the optics and 10 fold magnified view. By minimizing incision size and invasiveness, he adds that robotic colorectal surgery can help reduce the risk of infection and pain associated with surgery while also increasing the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent results. “The robotic surgery platform is the most precise and technologically sound approach to achieve the optimal surgical resection for cancer, especially when involving the rectum and the adjacent pelvic structure.”

However, because of the complexity of robotic laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Haas says patients should be sure to consult a surgeon who has extensive training in both robotic surgery as well as the particular procedure they are looking for, whether it be colon surgery or rectal cancer treatment. He also says seeking a practice that is dedicated to patient comfort and satisfaction through personalized care is another essential attribute. “Robotic surgery is a very challenging procedure and only experienced surgeons well versed in laparoscopic and minimally invasive techniques are able to apply this technique for the care of their patients.”

About Eric M. Haas, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Dr. Eric Haas earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, where he was a member of the Alpha Omega alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed a general surgery internship at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and a portion of his general surgery residency at St. Joseph Hospital. Dr. Haas also received fellowship training in Colon and Rectal Surgery at The Methodist Hospital and The University of Texas affiliated hospitals. He is board-certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Haas is the Director of Laparoscopic Colon and Rectal Surgery and has received the 2005 Chief Resident Award for most outstanding Academic Faculty at the Methodist/St. Joseph Hospital General Surgery Residency Program. He is a national preceptor, advisor and mentor for laparoscopic colon surgery and travels throughout the world as an invited participant for the promotion of educational research and enhanced clinical outcomes in academic and professional programs.

Dr. Haas and the Colorectal Surgical Associates have three locations at 7900 Fannin Suite 2700 in Houston, TX, 16605 Southwest Freeway Suite 430 in Sugar Land, TX, and 11914 Astoria Blvd. Suite 320 in Houston, TX, all of which can be reached at (713) 790-0600. Dr. Haas can also be contacted online via the website houstoncolon.com, drerichaas.com, or facebook.com/houstoncolon.

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Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Hemorrhoids

What causes hemorrhoids?

It is not known for sure what causes hemorrhoids, though low fiber diet, prolonged sitting on the toilet and constipation are thought to be factors. Pregnancy is known to cause them though how it is not known. Pelvic tumors are also known to cause hemorrhoids to enlarge. It is also thought that passing particularly large and/or sharp stool can also add to the enlargement of hemorrhoids.

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids

When diagnosing hemorrhoids, Houston colorectal surgeons look for the following symptoms in their patients:

• Pain in the anal area
• Excessive pressure in the anal area
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in the stool
• Anal itchiness
• Prolapsed hemorrhoid into the anal canal or further
• Diarrhea can aggravate hemorrhoids

How do I treat my hemorrhoids

The first step of hemorrhoid treatment in Houston is changing the diet to have high fiber. A diet high in fiber is known to soften the stool. Fiber is in fruit, vegetables, grains and cereals. An intake of 20-30 grams is needed to reach the desired result.

Over-the-counter medications can be useful in the treatment for hemorrhoids. There are several different kinds. They come in ointments, suppositories, pads, gels, creams and foams. If you need to apply any of these to the anal canal, you can use your finger or a pile pipe. Be sure to lubricate your finger or pile pipe before inserting it. The pile pipe needs to have holes in it.

Colorectal surgeons Houston may prescribe medications to help relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids.

Protectants that put a barrier on the skin that prevents contact between the irritated area and stool are used in treatment, such as aluminum hydroxide gel, cocoa butter, glycerin, kaolin, lanolin, mineral oil, calamine, and cod liver oil.

In the treatment of hemorrhoids, rectal doctors may also use astringents which promote the drying of the skin, antiseptics which stop bacteria growth, and keratolytics allow medication to better penetrate the area better. Corticosteroids are also used to reduce swelling and itching but cannot be used on an ongoing basis because of the risk of permanent damage to the skin.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common ailments known to man.  At least 50% of all people will have developed hemorrhoids by the time they are fifty.  However, embarrassment, apprehensions about surgery, and fear of rectal cancer are some of the reasons sufferers do not seek medical attention.  This is unfortunate, as most hemorrhoids are treated non-surgically.  In cases where hemorrhoidectomy may be required, modern procedures are minimally invasive and involve no stitches, and therefore far less painful.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, chances are that you may have hemorrhoids.  End the suffering.  Visit a colorectal surgeon in Houston and discuss ways to reduce or even eliminate your hemorrhoids.

The Houston colorectal surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates provide nonsurgical treatment for the majority of their hemorrhoid patients.  They are also experts in treatment of other rectal disorders, such as fissures, fistulas, and colorectal cancer.

There’s a Name For That: Pruritus Ani

What is pruritus ani

Pruritus ani is a condition where the skin around the anus gets irritated. Moisture, pressure, rubbing against clothing and sitting greatly irritate the condition. When pruritus ani becomes severe, the discomfort is at an all time high of irritation with added soreness and burning.

What is the cause of pruritus ani

According to Houston colorectal surgeons, eating if some foods with irritating chemicals are known to contribute to pruritus ani, such as:

• Tomatoes and products made from tomatoes
• Coffee and tea
• Dairy products
• White bread
• Carbonated beverages
• Hot sauce
• Peppers
• Spices

Anal perspiration, diarrhea, residual stool, incontinence and gas can cause great irritation. Candidiasis, known as yeast infection, is a main cause of pruritus ani. Diabetes and HIV increase the risk of yeast infections. Antibiotics are also known to cause yeast infections and irritation of the anus. Fistulas, tunnels from the small intestine or colon to the skin around the anus bring irritating fluids to the anal area. Pin worms, fissures, skin tags and hemorrhoids are all known to cause anal itching.

How is pruritus ani treated

The first step colorectal surgeons undertake in treating pruritus ani is to relieve the itching and burning. Keeping the area clean and dry is imperative. Make sure that no residual bowel is left behind after a bowel movement. Resist the urge to scratch the affected area. Scratching only makes the condition worsen. Placing a folded piece of acid free toilet paper against the affected area has been known to reduce any moisture in the area. Make sure that garments worn against the area do not have any artificial fibers. Changing laundry detergent may also be recommended.

Many ointments, creams, suppositories, gels, pads and foams are sold over the counter to treat pruritus ani symptoms. Try not to use baby wipes, as these keep the irritated area moist and can contain irritating chemicals.

Your rectal doctor may prescribe other treatments such as:

• Protectants which place a barrier between the skin and irritants
• Astringents that dry the skin
• Antiseptics that prevent bacteria growth

Pruritus ani in Houston does not have to be an affliction you must learn to live with.  With proper care and/or change of habits, it is a very treatable condition.  If you have given the  above suggestions an empirical trial and still suffer, consult a Houston colorectal surgeon who may prescribe more aggressive strategies.

The Houston colorectal surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates are experienced in treating pruritus ani.  They also are well-practiced in treating other anal complaints such as anal warts, anal fissures, and anal cancer Houston.

Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Constipation

If you have a bowel movement less than three times a week, you most likely suffer from constipation. With constipation the stools are difficult to pass, small and hard. Constipation is not a disease but a symptom of something else. Houston colon doctors have found that constipation is temporary. Relieving this symptom is important for good colon health.

What causes constipation?

When the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon’s muscles aren’t performing correctly then the stool does not move through the bowel quickly enough. This causes the stool to become hard and dry. There are several reasons for this, such as:

• Diet lacking in fiber
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Medications
• Dairy products
• IBS or irritable bowel syndrome
• Life changes such as travel, pregnancy and aging
• Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement
• Dehydration
• Colonic and rectal issues
• Certain diseases and conditions
• Intestinal issues

How can I find out the cause of my constipation?

Your physician will take a complete medical history, list your symptoms and run tests to discover the cause of constipation. A complete physical examination is important to have. Other tests and exams may include:

• Defecography
• Colorectal transit study
• Anorectal function test
• Colonoscopy
• Sigmoidoscopy

What treatment do I need for my constipation?

Relieving constipation is vital to good colon health. What treatments your colon doctor will prescribe will depend upon the severity of your condition.

Diet

Improving your diet by adding an abundance of fruit and vegetables, high fiber foods and cutting out things high in fat and cholesterol is usually the first step.

Daily lifestyle changes

• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise regularly
• Pay attention to urges in the bowel

Laxatives

Your physician may recommend you take a laxative. Be sure to know which kind of laxative to take, as there are several different ones.

Other treatments

Your physician may recommend you quit taking a certain medication or have surgery to correct an underlying problem. Pelvic muscle rehabilitation can be helpful to retrain the anal muscles. This should be done with a trained professional.

Learning to recognize and treat the symptoms of constipation will not only make you feel more comfortable.  It will improve your colon health, preserve your pelvic floor function, and possible even help prevent colon cancer.  If you have difficulty resolving your constipation on a chronic basis, consult your Houston colorectal surgeon.

At Colorectal Surgical Associates, the Houston colon surgeons are skilled in helping resolve constipation, fecal impaction, and obstructive defecation syndrome.  They maintain a pelvic physical therapy center to overcome their patients’ colon dysfunction without the use of surgery.

Identifying Obstructive Defecation Syndrome

What is Obstructive Defecation Syndrome (ODS)

ODS is a condition of chronic constipation affecting thousands of people in the U.S. Mostly women suffer from this syndrome. If you experience a combination of severe symptoms you need to see your physician.

What symptoms should I look out for?

• Not passing the entire bowel movement
• Prolonged straining
• Routine use of laxatives
• Routine use of enemas

Women who have had two or more children or were injured during childbirth are very likely to suffer from ODS. These cause damage to the fascia which is tissue that separates the vaginal wall and anus.

How do I receive a proper diagnosis?

To have successful treatment of ODS, it is imperative to have a proper diagnosis. Your primary care physician, gastroenterologist and Houston colorectal surgeon can evaluate you. Some exams need to be done by a physician specializing in pelvic care. Diagnosing a blocked bowel and fecal impaction can be complex. Be sure that your physician knows your complete medical history and that you are open about all of your symptoms. Here are some tests and exams that your colon surgeon may order:

• Colonoscopy: this procedure is where the doctor inserts a flexible tube with a camera into the rectum and views the entire colon. A colonoscopy can reveal narrowing, obstructions, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Colonic marker studies:  this procedure is when a patient swallows small radiopaque markers. These radiopaque markers are able to be viewed on x-rays. Over seven days the patient is then x-rayed to track the markers and see how quickly they travel through the small intestine and colon.
• Electromyography (EMG) this test measures the strength of the pelvic floor muscles as well as the muscles around the anus. This determines the level of function of these muscles.
• Anal manometry tests how well the anal muscles are working
• Dynamic defecography this test is where the patient sits on a special toilet and is x-rayed while straining. These x-rays take images of a paste mixture as it passes through the bowel allowing the physician to see how well the bowel is functioning.

Obstructive defecation syndrome plagues millions of women, but it is not something to which they must resign themselves.  With the proper diagnosis and treatment plan, they can put that issue behind them, many times without surgery.  If you are suffering from the symptoms above, consult your Houston colon surgeon and discuss how to get you on the road to recovery.

The colorectal surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates are experts in the fields of colorectal surgery, including in the treatment of obstructive defecation syndrome in Houston.  With their knowledge and expertise, they treat patients with a broad spectrum of difficulties, including colon cancer in Houston.

Colonoscopy and Colon Polyps

Pilonidal Cyst Disease FAQ’s

What is a pilonidal cyst?

A pilonidal cyst is a cyst containing hair and skin debris. The cyst develops along the tailbone near the left buttocks.

What causes a pilonidal cyst?

Pilonidal cysts are formed when loose hairs penetrate the skin. The body reacts to this by forming a cyst around the hair. If there is repeated pressure or trauma to the area can predispose patients to either develop a pilonidal cyst or further irritate one that has already formed. Men are more prone to developing pilonidalcysts than women. Obese individuals are also more likely to have this type of cyst. It is common for pilonidal cysts to reoccur.

How do I know if I have a pilonidal cyst?

This type of cyst can be asymptomatic (without symptoms) for some patients while other patients may have a cyst that develops an infection which can cause pain and inflammation.  The symptoms of this type of cyst are the following:

1. Warm skin
2. Reddening of the skin
3. Pus draining from an opening in the skin above the lower spine
4. Reddening of the skin
5. Pain above the lower spine
6. Swelling above the lower spine
7. Fever (though this is uncommon)

Though it is a rare occurrence, pilonidal cysts can develop on other parts of the body besides along the tailbone, such as on the hands.

If you have any of the above symptoms you should see your colorectal surgeon in Houston. Your doctor can come to a diagnosis by your symptoms and a physical exam.

Are there complications that go along with a pilonidal cyst?

As mentioned before, the most common complication of a pilonidal cyst in Houston is the recurrence of said cyst. An abscess may form and an infection can develop. Skin cancer may also develop within the cyst, though it is rare.

How is a pilonidal cyst treated?

Your Houston colorectal surgeon will make an incision in the cyst and drain it. This procedure is usually done within your doctor’s office. Sometimes it does take place in an emergency room. You will be given an anesthetic and your physician will drain the pus and clean out any hair and other matter from the wound. Though pain medication is usually prescribed, unless you develop an infection antibiotics are not needed. If you have a more invasive type of pilonidal cyst, then your colorectal surgeon may need to operate.

Make sure you follow up with your physician and do proper wound care at home. Be careful to keep the wound area clean, dry and to remove any hair from the area to help prevent a recurrence of the cyst.

What can I do to help prevent a pilonidal cyst?

Keeping up with personal hygiene is imperative to prevent the development of pilonidal cysts. You should shave any hair from the area or use depilatory cream to remove hair. Keeping the area dry and clean also needs to be a priority. Try not to sit too long in one place or have repeated pressure to the area. If you are overweight, it would be greatly beneficial, not just to prevent pilonidal cysts but also your overall health, to lose weight. This aids in decreasing the risk of recurrence of the cyst.
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See your Houston colorectal surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates to diagnose and remove pilonidal cysts, as well as many other colorectal disorders and diseases.  The use of advanced techniques in laparoscopic surgery enable these colorectal surgeons in Houston to provide optimum results and minimum side-effects when performing colon cancer surgery.

Why Should I Be Screened For Colon Cancer?

With regular screening by Houston colorectal surgeons, colorectal cancer can be prevented altogether or caught its earliest stages once it has begun. Since colon cancer does not always present with symptoms, screening is vital in catching cancer before it has progressed too far.

Colorectal cancer ranks second in cancer killers amongst men and women in the United States. Around 75% of colorectal cancer patients have no known risk factors. The only people who are at definite risk of developing colon cancer are people with personal or family history with colon polyps or colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or a genetic syndrome such as familial polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.

When colorectal cancer does present with symptoms, they are among the following: blood in the stool, change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain and cramping. Screening by a colorectal surgeon in Houston is a test that physicians use to look for a disease before symptoms present themselves.

Screening is only useful when it can detect disease early. When colon cancer is detected early, it can be treated early with a much better outcome. Since most colon cancers are caused by colon polyps which grow out of the lining of the colon, removing those can prevent cancer from even beginning. Only screening can detect when polyps are present, there is not a blood test that exists that can give the answers screening does.

There are several types of colorectal cancer screening studies. A physician can use one alone or in combination with others. Once a person has reached the age of 50, it is recommended to begin getting regular screenings. The three most commonly used are:

1. Stool test or FOBT: In this screening method chemicals or antibodies are used to see if any blood exists in the stool. This test can be repeated yearly.
2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy: In this screening method a short, flexible tube with a light is inserted into the rectum to check for polyps and cancer. It is only able to search the rectum and lower third of the colon. This test can be repeated every five years.
3. Colonoscopy: In this most common screening method, a tube is inserted similar to the sigmoidoscopy. This difference is that in a colonoscopy it is able to view the entire colon and remove any polyps found. This test can be repeated every ten years and more often if ordered by a physician. The colonoscopy is also used as a follow-up test if a positive result comes about from a different type of screening, such as stool test, sigmoidoscopy, double contrast barium enema, virtual colonoscopy and stool DNA test.
4. Double contrast barium enemas, virtual colonoscopy and stool DNA tests are less commonly recommended. The enema is where barium is inserted then air to create an outline around the colon that the doctor can view on an x-ray. A virtual colonoscopy produces images for a colon surgeon to view the entire colon using x-rays. The stool DNA test is when stool is collected and sent off to a lab to test for cancerous cells.

Colorectal cancer is the #2 cancer killer of people over the age of 50.  Conversely, colon cancer is one of the most treatable when detected and removed at its earliest stages.  Becoming a positive statistic is possible when patients are screened for colon cancer regularly by their colorectal surgeon.
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The Houston colorectal surgeons at Colorectal Surgical Associates use the latest technologies to remove precancerous and cancerous colon polyps, as well as many other colorectal disorders and diseases.  The use of advanced techniques in laparoscopic surgery enable these colorectal surgeons in Houston to provide optimum results and minimum side-effects when performing colon cancer surgery.