Shah's Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre · Ahmedabad & Gandhinagar
Colon cancer surgeon in Ahmedabad · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar
Last updated: 11 October 2026
The transverse colon runs across the upper abdomen. A cancer here is removed by one of two larger operations, and the exact spot of the tumour decides which.
This page explains how Dr Harsh Shah makes that choice, what else can change the plan, when a second opinion helps, and what to ask before you sign. It does not try to explain colon cancer in general; the colon cancer treatment page does that.
The choice between the two operations is made at a tumour board. Dr Harsh Shah explains it to you, and then performs it himself at Apollo Hospital, Bhat.
Shah’s Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre. He trained in super-specialty surgical gastroenterology and is qualified twice over in that field. He has 18 years of experience in GI and cancer surgery, and bowel cancer operations are part of his daily work. The same surgeon sees you from the first visit to the last follow-up.
Dr Harsh Shah
MS, MCh (Surgical Gastroenterology), DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology)
Registered with Gujarat Medical Council, Reg. No. G-38738
Colon Cancer Surgeon · Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar · Gota OPD, Ahmedabad
Google rating 4.89 from 216 reviews at the Gota clinic, and 4.94 from 18 reviews at Apollo, Bhat.
At the tumour board, the surgeon, the cancer physician, the radiologist and the pathologist read the same colonoscopy, CT and biopsy. For a tumour in the middle of the colon, that shared reading matters more than usual. The choice rests on where the tumour sits and which vessels feed it. Dr Shah then sits with you and your family, names the operation, and explains why it was chosen.
The transverse colon takes blood from vessels on both the right and the left. Its lymph nodes drain along the same vessels, so the operation follows them.
A cancer operation on the colon removes the bowel with the vessel that feeds it. The vessel is tied where it starts. The fatty tissue that carries the lymph nodes comes out too. In the right or left colon there is one obvious vessel. In the transverse colon there may be two. That is why the colonoscopy must name the exact spot and mark it with an ink tattoo. A small tumour here can be hard to see from outside the bowel. Without the mark, the surgeon cannot be sure which vessels drain it.
| Where the tumour sits | The operation | Vessels tied where they start |
|---|---|---|
| The bend near the liver (hepatic flexure), or the first part of the transverse colon | Extended right hemicolectomy | The ileocolic and right colic vessels, plus the middle colic |
| The far part of the transverse colon, or the bend near the spleen (splenic flexure) | Extended right or extended left hemicolectomy, chosen at the tumour board | The middle colic, with or without the left colic |
| Lower on the right side, or lower on the left side | A different operation: see right hemicolectomy or the left colon decision page | Set by that site |
For a tumour in the far part of the transverse colon, both operations are accepted. The tumour board picks one, based on a few plain facts.
In an extended right operation, the right colon and most of the transverse colon come out, and the end of the small bowel is joined to the colon that remains. In an extended left operation, the far part of the transverse colon and the upper left colon come out, and two ends of the colon are joined. Whichever is chosen, the same rules hold. The vessel is tied where it starts. The fat with its lymph nodes comes out whole. Healthy bowel is taken on both sides of the tumour. Ask which one is planned for you, and why.
The transverse colon hangs close to the stomach, the pancreas and loops of small bowel. A tumour that has grown onto one of them makes the operation larger.
If the scan shows the tumour stuck to a neighbour, the stuck part comes out with the colon, in one piece. It is never peeled off. Peeling it off leaves cancer behind. Then an operation that could clear the disease no longer can. An operation that removes part of another organ is discussed at the tumour board first. It is often done as an open operation. You are told about it before you sign, so the extra organ is planned for, not found on the day.
A blocked or burst bowel, spread to the liver, your fitness and the MMR result can each change the operation or its timing. Each is checked before a date is fixed.
| Finding | What changes |
|---|---|
| The bowel is blocked | The surgeon decides which side’s rules apply from where the tumour sits. Under the right-sided rule, removal with an immediate join is usually safe. Under the left-sided rule, a protecting stoma, a Hartmann’s operation, or a stent first in an unfit patient may be needed. |
| The bowel has burst | Removal, a wash-out of the abdomen and usually a stoma. It also counts as a high-risk finding later. |
| Spots in the liver or lungs | The tumour board decides whether they can be removed, and whether at the same time or in a separate operation. |
| Fitness, anaemia and nutrition | Fitness is scored at each visit. Anaemia, sugar and weight loss are corrected first. A short food and exercise programme is offered if you are underweight or struggling. |
| The MMR result on the biopsy | It screens for an inherited cause. A deficient result goes to the tumour board before a date is set. |
| A large bowel that is badly swollen or tender | A warning that it may burst. The consultant surgeon sees you the same day. |
Dr Harsh Shah operates himself. The approach is chosen for your tumour and your abdomen, and the cancer rules stay the same whichever approach is used.
Keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery is the standard for colon cancer. It gives the same cancer results as open surgery, with a faster recovery. Robotic surgery is an accepted choice in experienced hands. Open surgery is the right call for a bulky tumour, a tumour stuck to the stomach or pancreas, or an abdomen scarred by earlier surgery. A change from keyhole to open during the operation keeps the operation complete and safe. It is not a failure, and you agree to it in advance. Ask who will be operating on the day, and whether that stays true if the date moves.
The final stage is known only when the removed bowel has been examined. Four items in the report decide whether chemotherapy is advised.
The report is read with you at the first visit after discharge, at about two weeks. If chemotherapy is advised, it usually starts within six to eight weeks of the operation.
Every risk is named at the consent meeting. The figures that fit you, adjusted for age, fitness and an urgent operation, are given there in person, not on a web page.
General risks: bleeding that needs a transfusion; a wound infection; clots in the legs or lungs; heart or breathing problems; a problem with the anaesthetic; and a change from keyhole to open surgery. Risks of this operation: a leak from the join; a bowel that is slow to start working; a leak of milky lymph fluid after an extended right operation; injury to the ureter; a collection of pus; narrowing of the join; and a temporary or permanent stoma. When part of the stomach or pancreas is removed, its own risks are explained as well. Later: a hernia at the scar, and a blockage from adhesions. The risk of dying is stated plainly. The cancer can return even after complete removal, so follow-up and colonoscopy continue for life.
In the first week, a fast pulse, a fever, new pain, or a patient who was improving and then slips back is treated as a leak until proved otherwise. A scan is done and the consultant surgeon is told at once.
A second opinion helps if you cannot say which of the two operations is planned and why, or if a step that decides the operation was skipped.
A second opinion that agrees with your plan is still worth having. Bring the colonoscopy report and photos, the CT on a disc, the biopsy report, the CEA result, recent blood tests and a list of your medicines.
★★★★★
“(Translated by Google) Dr. Harsh Shah's personality is very nice. He always talks in a good way. He has undergone surgery for colon cancer. Without any problem. Yours faithfully.🙏 (Original) ડૉ હર્ષ શાહ નો સ્વાભાવ ખૂબ જ સરસ છે.તેઓ હમેશા સારી રીત વાત કરે છે .મોટા આંતરડા ના કેન્સર ની સર્જરી એમને કરેલ લી છે. કોઈ પ્રકાર ની તકલીફ નાથી .આપનો અભર.🙏”
— Ismailbhai Shaikh, Google review
★★★★★
“Met with Dr. Harsh Shah for the consultation of one of my relative. Dr. Harsh Shah is an exceptional surgical oncologist in Ahmedabad. His expertise in treating complex GI cancers like liver, pancreas, and colon cancers is truly remarkable. He explains everything clearly and gives patients full confidence in their treatment. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a skilled and compassionate cancer specialist.”
— Nagesh Patidar, Google review
★★★★★
“My father has carcinoma of stomach ,Harsh sir did radical gastrectomy and he is recovering very nicely under Dr.Harsh's observation ,he listen each and every complain calmly and with patience and make patient very comfortable during treatment , during procedure and during stay at hospital. we are satisfied with the treatment and very confident about the fully recovery of disease as we are under treatment of Dr.Harsh & team.Thank you Dr.Harsh & his whole team and staff.”
— tina parmar, Google review
Reviews are reproduced exactly as written on Google, including the original spelling. The first describes colon cancer surgery by Dr Harsh Shah; the other two speak about his cancer care more widely. None names the transverse colon.
A patient’s own account after a colon cancer operation by Dr Harsh Shah, recorded and shared with consent.
The cost depends on which operation is done, whether another organ is involved, the approach and the days in hospital. A written estimate is given before admission.
Apollo Hospital, Bhat, works with the major insurers and cashless schemes, and the office handles pre-authorisation. If a stay runs longer, an enhancement request is raised at the time. Bring on admission: scans on a disc or drive, the colonoscopy and biopsy reports, your medicines with doses, the insurance card and identification, and one family member who will stay with you.
Neither is better in general. For a tumour near the liver bend, the extended right operation is the standard. For a tumour further along, both are accepted, and the tumour board chooses the one that fits your tumour's position and vessels.
The operation has to remove the lymph nodes that drain the tumour. They lie along the vessels that feed it, so the length of bowel follows those vessels, not the size of the tumour.
Usually not after a planned operation. A stoma becomes more likely when the bowel is blocked or has burst, or when the join looks unsafe. If one is possible, you are told and consented for it beforehand.
The stuck part is removed with the colon in one piece. This is planned before the operation and discussed at the tumour board, and it is often done as an open operation.
After an uncomplicated keyhole operation, usually four to five days. You go home once you are eating, your bowel is working, your pain is controlled and you can walk on your own.
It depends on the pathology report. Cancer in the lymph nodes, or high-risk features, usually means chemotherapy is advised. Otherwise, regular checks may be enough.
Shah’s Gastro, Cancer & Robotic Surgery Centre — Gota, Ahmedabad
Consultations, review of scans, follow-up and surveillance.
Google: Dr Harsh Shah · 4.89 from 216 reviews
Directions to the Gota clinic · +91-63555-64601
Apollo Hospital — Bhat, Gandhinagar
Apollo Hospital International Limited, Plot No. 1 A, GIDC Bhat Industrial Estate, Bhat, Gandhinagar.
Google: Dr Harsh Shah – Robotic GI Surgeon · 4.94 from 18 reviews
Directions to Apollo, Bhat · WhatsApp +91-63555-64601
Families come to Ahmedabad for colon cancer surgery from across Gujarat — Gandhinagar, Mehsana, Banaskantha, Nadiad, Anand, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Kutch — and from southern Rajasthan and western Madhya Pradesh.
Told that the cancer is in the transverse colon, and that a large operation is needed? The colonoscopy report with its photos, the biopsy report, the CT scan on a disc and the CEA blood test can be sent ahead of your appointment, so the consultation starts with them already read. Treatment is decided at the consultation, after examination. Call +91-63555-64601 · Send the reports ahead on WhatsApp
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