Colorectal Cancer Surgery in Singapore

Your Colorectal Surgery Journey: Step-by-Step

While every patient's experience with colorectal surgery is unique, understanding each stage of the process can help ease anxiety and give you confidence in what lies ahead.

• Step 1: Initial Consultation & Assessment Your journey begins with a detailed consultation to review your symptoms, medical history, and screening results. This allows the surgeon to assess your overall health and determine whether colorectal surgery is suitable.
• Step 2: Diagnostic Evaluation & Planning Accurate diagnosis is critical for effective treatment. Tests such as colonoscopy, imaging scans, and blood work provide a clear picture of the tumour's size, location, and characteristics. This information allows your surgical team to create a personalised plan and discuss the best approach for your procedure.
• Step 3: Pre-operative Preparation Before surgery, you may receive instructions on diet adjustments, bowel preparation and medications. Pre-operative assessments ensure your body is ready for surgery and help reduce potential complications.
• Step 4: The Surgical Procedure Surgery may be performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques or traditional open surgery depending on the tumour and your health. The goal is to remove cancerous tissue while preserving as much normal bowel function as possible, often with advanced techniques to support faster recovery.
• Step 5: Immediate Post-operative Recovery After surgery, you will be closely monitored in the hospital to support a safe recovery. Pain management, early mobilisation and the gradual reintroduction of food all help the healing process. Your care team will also keep a close watch for early complications, such as bleeding, infection or changes in bowel function, so any issues can be addressed promptly.
• Step 6: Hospital Discharge Planning Before leaving the hospital, you will receive detailed guidance on wound care, dietary adjustments, medications, activity levels and stoma care if needed. The care team will ensure you feel confident managing recovery at home with the right resources and support.
• Step 7: Follow-Up Care & Long-Term Monitoring Recovery continues with regular follow-up visits, imaging, and blood tests to monitor for recurrence. Your surgeon will also provide lifestyle advice, rehabilitation support and ongoing guidance to help you maintain bowel health and quality of life after surgery.

When to Seek Care by an
Experienced Colorectal Surgeon

Early assessment plays a critical role in colorectal cancer outcomes and should not be delayed when symptoms or risk factors are present. Timely evaluation allows for accurate diagnosis, appropriate staging and the opportunity for less extensive treatment where possible.

Dr Chong Chee Keong has more than two decades of experience in colorectal surgery, providing care from diagnosis through surgery and recovery. Trained in minimally invasive techniques and accredited in intensive care medicine, he offers a well-coordinated approach that supports bowel function, reduces surgical trauma and prioritises patient understanding at every stage. If you would like an assessment or guidance on colorectal cancer surgery in Singapore, arrange a consultation with Dr Chong today.

Frequently Asked Questions on
Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Our Colorectal Surgeon in Singapore

Dr Chong Chee Keong

Breast, Colorectal and General Surgeon

MBBS (Singapore), FRCS (Edinburgh), FRCS (Glasgow), FAMS (Singapore)

Specialist Accreditation in Intensive Care Medicine

Specialists Accreditation Board

Dr Chong has over two decades of experience in colorectal treatment, providing comprehensive care from diagnosis to surgery and post-operative recovery. He is skilled in advanced techniques for colorectal surgery, including minimally invasive approaches that reduce recovery time and improve outcomes. Known for his clear communication and patient-focused approach, Dr Chong ensures every patient understands their treatment plan and feels supported throughout their journey.