Answer box: Colon cancer starts in the large bowel, the last part of the gut. When found, surgery to remove the affected part is the main treatment for many patients, and some are also advised other treatment. Dr Raman Garg, a leading surgical gastroenterologist at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute (BGCI), Bathinda, Punjab, India, plans each case carefully and, where suitable, operates with keyhole techniques.
First, a few calm words
If you or someone at home has just heard the word cancer, you may feel scared and confused. That is natural. Please know that many colon problems are found, tested and treated step by step, and a clear plan makes the road easier. This page explains the steps in simple words. Nothing here replaces a proper examination, and no doctor can promise an outcome. What Dr Raman Garg can promise is an honest explanation, careful planning and support through every step.
What is colon cancer, in plain words?
The colon, or large bowel, is a long tube that takes the leftover food from the small gut, absorbs water and forms stool. The last part is the rectum. Colon cancer begins as a small growth, often a polyp, on the inner lining. Most polyps are harmless in the beginning, but some can turn into cancer slowly over years. This is why a colonoscopy, which looks inside the bowel with a thin camera, is so useful. Polyps can often be removed before they become a problem. Read more on colonoscopy in Bathinda.
A surgical gastroenterologist is a stomach, gut, liver, gallbladder and pancreas specialist who also operates. In colon cancer this matters, because the same doctor who studies your scope and scan can plan and perform the operation, and explain what comes next.
Symptoms and when to worry
Colon cancer may give no sign in the early stage. When signs appear, they can look like piles or acidity, which is why people delay. Please do not ignore these:
- Blood in the stool, or dark, tar-like stool (stool me khoon, potty me khoon)
- A change in bowel habit that lasts more than 3 weeks: new constipation, loose motions, or both
- Feeling that the bowel is not empty after passing stool
- Thin, pencil-like stool
- Belly pain, cramps or a persistent bloated feeling
- Unexplained weight loss and tiredness, or low blood count (anaemia)
- A lump in the belly
A 52 year old from Bhagta Bhai Ka who treats "piles" with a shop ointment for a year, while blood keeps coming and his haemoglobin falls, is a common story. Piles are common, but they should be confirmed by an examination, not guessed.
Go to a hospital the same day if you have severe belly pain with swelling, repeated vomiting, no passing of stool or gas, heavy bleeding from the back passage, or fainting. These can mean a blockage or bleeding. Call +91 82641-60001, emergency care support is available 24/7. Related page: intestinal obstruction surgery in Bathinda. For more on bleeding, see blood in stool treatment in Bathinda and our blog on early signs of colon cancer.
Causes and risk factors
No one single cause explains every case. Risk goes up with:
- Age above 45 to 50 years
- A family member with colon cancer or polyps
- Long standing bowel inflammation such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
- A diet low in fibre and high in red or processed meat
- Overweight, diabetes and little exercise
- Smoking and regular alcohol
Having a risk factor does not mean you will get cancer, and having none does not make you safe. The best protection is a checkup when symptoms appear, and screening colonoscopy when advised by your doctor.
How Dr Raman Garg diagnoses and stages colon cancer
Diagnosis answers four questions: is it cancer, where exactly is it, has it spread, and is the patient fit for surgery.
- Examination and history: symptoms, family history, past surgeries and medicines.
- Colonoscopy with biopsy: a thin camera looks inside the bowel and a tiny piece of tissue is taken. A pathologist studies it and the biopsy report confirms the diagnosis.
- CT scan abdomen: shows the size of the growth and whether lymph glands or the liver are involved. Arranged with trusted imaging partners in Bathinda, with the report reviewed by Dr Raman Garg the same day.
- CEA tumour marker: a blood test in our in-house laboratory, useful for follow-up.
- Blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray: to check haemoglobin, kidney, liver, heart and lung fitness.
| Test or visit | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPD consultation (also second opinion) | 500 | 700 | 1,000 |
| Colonoscopy, diagnostic | 4,500 | 7,000 | 12,000 |
| Colonoscopy with biopsy or polyp removal | 7,000 | 10,000 | 18,000 |
| Biopsy report (histopathology), per sample | 800 | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| CT scan abdomen | 3,500 | 6,000 | 9,000 |
| CEA tumour marker | 500 | 650 | 1,000 |
| Pre-operative blood tests, ECG and chest X-ray | 1,500 | 2,500 | 4,000 |
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on biopsy or polyp removal done during the test, the number of tests needed, stage of disease and your health.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the stage, the site in the bowel and your general health. In most cases, a plan combines more than one step, and the team decides together with you.
Surgery
Surgery removes the part of the bowel that holds the growth, along with nearby lymph glands, and then joins the healthy ends. This operation is called a colectomy. For many patients, it is the main treatment and offers the best chance of removing the disease.
Chemotherapy and radiation
Some patients need medicines (chemotherapy) before or after surgery, and rectal cancers may need radiation as well. These are planned with a cancer physician (oncologist) once the biopsy and surgery findings are known. Dr Raman Garg coordinates with them so you do not have to run between doctors alone. The cost of cancer drug treatment is separate and not included in the surgery figures on this page.
Early polyps and very early cancers
Sometimes a small polyp or very early growth can be removed during colonoscopy. The pathology report then decides whether anything more is needed.
Emergency situations
If the growth blocks the bowel, urgent surgery may be needed first to relieve the block. See intestinal obstruction surgery.
The surgery step by step
Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery is considered where it is suitable. Open surgery is used when it is safer for you, and that decision is made for your safety, not for convenience.
- Planning: all scans and tests are reviewed. Dr Raman Garg explains the operation, the options and risks to you and your family in simple words.
- Fitness and bowel preparation: blood count is corrected, sugar and blood pressure are controlled, and a bowel cleaning plan is given.
- Anaesthesia: the anaesthetist puts you to sleep for the operation.
- Keyhole access: small cuts are made, a camera and thin instruments are placed, and the belly is gently filled with gas to give space to work.
- Removal: the part of the colon with the growth is freed, with its blood supply and nearby lymph glands, then taken out through a small opening.
- Joining the bowel: the healthy ends are joined (anastomosis). In a small number of cases, a temporary bag (stoma) is made to let the join heal, and the family is told about this before surgery.
- Closing: the skin is closed with the stitchless technique using skin glue where suitable.
- Pathology: the removed part goes to the lab. The report tells the stage and whether more treatment is advised.
Read about the method on laparoscopic surgery in Bathinda and the wider GI cancer surgery in Bathinda.
Before and after: preparation and recovery
Preparation checklist
- Bring your colonoscopy, biopsy and scan reports. You can WhatsApp them first.
- Stop blood thinners only when your doctor says so.
- Stop smoking and alcohol before surgery.
- Eat protein-rich home food, such as dal, eggs, paneer and milk, to build strength.
- Arrange a family member to stay with you.
Recovery timeline (most patients)
| When | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Surgery day or next day | Gentle sitting and walking with help; sips of fluids |
| A few days | Liquid then soft food as the bowel wakes up; pain managed with medicines |
| Before going home | Wound check, diet advice and warning signs explained |
| 2 to 3 weeks | Light daily work; no heavy lifting |
| About 6 weeks | Most patients return to routine work as advised |
| Follow-up | Pathology review, planning of any further treatment, then regular check-ups with scans, CEA and colonoscopy by phone, video or in OPD |
Everyone heals at their own speed. Age, other illnesses, the extent of surgery and any further treatment change the timeline.
Risks and how they are handled
Every major operation carries risks. In bowel surgery these include bleeding, infection, a leak from the joined bowel, a bowel that is slow to restart, blood clots in the legs, and problems linked to anaesthesia. Dr Raman Garg lowers these through careful patient selection, correction of anaemia and sugar before surgery, gentle technique, early walking and close watching after surgery. He explains the risks to you and your family before you sign consent, and answers every question. You will always know who to call, day or night, on +91 82641-60001.
Cost of colon cancer surgery in Punjab
| Item | Starting (Rs) | Average (Rs) | Maximum (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colon cancer surgery (laparoscopic or open) | 1,00,000 | 1,80,000 | 3,00,000 |
Cancer drug treatment (chemotherapy, radiation) is not included in surgery figures.
Note: These are typical Punjab costs for 2026. The final cost may vary after Dr Raman Garg examines you, depending on stage of disease, type of procedure chosen, anaesthesia type, your age and other illnesses, and your health.
OPD consultation Rs 500 to 1,000. Published ranges from Mohali and Chandigarh hospitals for major bowel cancer surgery are often higher, and metro hospitals often charge more. Keyhole surgery costs more than open surgery because of equipment, but most patients recover sooner. Full price list: gastro treatment cost in Bathinda.
Insurance and cashless
BGCI is empanelled with almost all major insurers and TPAs for cashless treatment, including Aditya Birla Health Insurance, Niva Bupa, Digit Insurance, Care Health Insurance, Vidal Health TPA, ICICI Lombard, Raksha TPA, Future Generali, SBI General Insurance, Oriental Insurance, Liberty General Insurance, IFFCO Tokio, Cholamandalam MS, Medi Assist TPA, and almost all other major insurers and TPAs. Ayushman Bharat: Call us with your card details and our insurance desk will tell you the same day how your card can be used.
- Send your policy or card details and reports on WhatsApp.
- The insurance desk checks your cover and the pre-authorisation needs.
- Pre-authorisation is arranged with the insurer before surgery.
- After approval, treatment goes ahead and the bill is settled directly with the insurer where cashless applies. See cashless insurance for gastro treatment.
Facilities at BGCI
BGCI has a modern laparoscopic operation theatre, an advanced endoscopy and colonoscopy suite, a fully equipped in-house diagnostic laboratory, comfortable patient rooms, 24/7 emergency care support and a cashless insurance desk. CT and other scans are arranged with trusted imaging partners in Bathinda, and reports are reviewed by Dr Raman Garg the same day. Keyhole surgery uses the stitchless technique with skin glue, and early walking is encouraged. One surgeon looks after you from consultation to follow-up. Patients from outside Punjab and NRI families can share reports on WhatsApp for an online pre-arrival consultation, and follow-up is by phone or video. See the gastro hospital in Bathinda page.
Why patients choose Dr Raman Garg
Dr Raman Garg is a Surgical Gastroenterologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon with 20+ years of experience and 10,000+ laparoscopic surgeries. He holds an MBBS from Government Medical College, Patiala, an MS in General Surgery from Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, and a DNB in Surgical Gastroenterology from Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai. He completed a Fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, trained in advanced laparoscopy in Seoul, South Korea, is registered with the Dubai Health Authority as Physician Specialist, Gastrointestinal Surgery, and is a member of IAGES and AMASI. He is the first surgical gastroenterologist in the Malwa belt of Punjab. Patients say they value that he takes time to explain, and families stay informed. If you want a second view before deciding, see second opinion for gastro surgery and about Dr Raman Garg.
Patients we see from your area
Families reach BGCI from Bhagta Bhai Ka (35 km, 50 min), Giddarbaha (45 km, 1 hr), Muktsar (55 km, 1 hr 10 min), Mansa (50 km, 1 hr) and other towns across the Malwa belt of Punjab, India. Bring one family member who can listen with you, and note your questions on paper before the visit.
How to book
- Call or WhatsApp +91 82641-60001 or +91 99885-03800 and send your reports.
- Dr Raman Garg reviews them, and you get a first opinion on what to do next.
- Visit OPD, Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Power House Road, Near Street No. 10, Bathinda, Punjab 151001, India.
- Email: bgcibathinda@gmail.com.
- Sunday is emergency only, with 24/7 emergency care support on +91 82641-60001.
Book on the appointment page.
Related pages
Colonoscopy, GI cancer surgery, laparoscopic surgery, blood in stool treatment, intestinal obstruction surgery, gastro treatment hub, gastro doctor in Bathinda. Blogs: early signs of colon cancer, colonoscopy: who needs it and prep, laparoscopic surgery benefits and recovery.
This page is general information; your plan is set after Dr Raman Garg examines you.
Medically reviewed by Dr Raman Garg | Last updated: 8 November 2026