Colon and Rectal Surgery

Patients with colon or rectal disease can trust UMass Memorial Medical Center to provide the most advanced diagnostic and treatment services. Our commitment to exceptional care ensures that you have access to the latest minimally invasive procedures and pioneering clinical trials to best treat your condition. Our specialists provide expert care in a private and comfortable environment.

Colorectal Surgery in Central Massachusetts

At UMass Memorial Medical Center, your care is managed by a team of skilled and compassionate medical professionals. From diagnostic tests in our advanced Anorectal Physiology Lab to surgery and beyond, our five fellowship-trained colorectal surgeons—including the only female colorectal surgeon in Central Massachusetts— are recognized for their expertise in treating diseases of the intestinal tract, including:

• Small bowel
• Colon
• Rectum
• Anus

We are breaking new ground in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopic surgery) to treat colon and rectal cancer and many other chronic conditions, including:

• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Diverticulitis
• Rectal prolapse

Our colorectal surgeons thoroughly evaluate your symptoms using the latest screening tools such as endoscopy or colonoscopy in our Anorectal Physiology Lab. Through diagnosis, treatment, surgery and follow-up, we provide complete patient-centered care for the most complex and challenging issues and diagnoses.

Find a fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon.

Latest Advances in Colon and Rectal Surgery at UMass Memorial Medical Center

Patients across the UMass Memorial Health system have access to fellowship-trained, board-certified colorectal surgeons at the Medical Center in Worcester, MA. This skilled team of medical professionals provides the latest diagnostic and therapeutic services to treat a wide range of intestinal tract disorders. 

Our care is evidence-based; this means treatment is supported by the latest clinical trials and research. Each procedure is tailored to the individual patient’s specific needs. Learn more about research and teaching.

Colorectal Conditions We Treat

Drawing on the collective expertise of our entire health care system—including the UMass Memorial Health Cancer Center of Excellence—our specialists treat the following colon and rectal conditions, and more. 

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• Colon cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Colon and Rectal Polyps
• Recurrent colon and rectal cancer
• Colon and rectal polyps
• Anal cancer
• Anorectal conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal itching (pruritis ani), fissures, fistulas, abscesses and warts
• Diverticulitis
• Crohn's disease 
• Ulcerative colitis
• Bowel obstructions
• Intestinal fistulas (enterocutaneous, colovesicle, rectovaginal, and rectourethral)
• Endometriosis of the bowel
• Presacral tumors
• Stoma care, stoma prolapse and parastomal hernia (colostomy and ileostomy complications)
• Radiation proctitis
• Pelvic floor disorders such as fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse and constipation
• Inherited syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
• Anal hidradenitis
• Pilonidal cysts
• Anal stenosis
• Rectoceles 

Advanced Treatment Options at UMass Memorial Medical Center

We use the latest surgical techniques, combined with the most advanced technology to treat our patients.  When you see any of the colorectal specialists at UMass Memorial Medical Center, you have access to all of our advanced surgical services:

• Anorectal Physiology Lab for the management of rectal prolapse, constipation and incontinence
• Colonoscopy with advanced polyp removal
• Hemorrhoid Management  
• J-pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis and polyposis  
• Laparoscopic colectomy
• Minimally invasive surgery, including single incision (or "single port") laparoscopy  
• Sacral Nerve Stimulation for fecal incontinence
• Sphincter-sparing surgery  
• Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for rectal polyps or colon cancer
• Endoluminal stenting for large bowel obstruction

Less Pain & Faster Recovery with Minimally Invasive Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is an attractive alternative to traditional open surgery because it allows our surgeons to complete the same operation with much smaller incisions. Patients usually experience less pain and a faster recovery from colon surgery and rectal surgery with laparoscopic surgery.

Learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.