An ostomy — a surgery to create a new opening in the body for liquid and solid waste to exit — is a necessary and life-saving component of surgeries for many bladder and colorectal cancers.
In an ostomy surgery, a small opening, called a stoma, is created in the stomach for waste — urine and stool — to be excreted. The waste collects in a pouch called an ostomy bag that is connected to the stoma. Users typically change their pouch every three or four days. Depending on the surgery, an ostomy may be permanent or temporary.
In recognition of Ostomy Awareness Day on October 4, we spoke with University of Colorado Cancer Center member Steven Ahrendt, MD, professor of surgical oncology, about how ostomies work and why they are needed.