Lesson 1Full History and Targeted Physical Check for Suspected Colon CancerThis part focuses on getting a full history and targeted physical check for suspected right colon cancer, stressing warning signs, other health issues, fitness level, belly and back passage findings, and records needed for surgery planning in local contexts.
Key symptom inquiry and red-flag featuresOncologic, surgical, and family history detailsMedication, allergy, and anticoagulant reviewPerformance status and frailty assessment toolsAbdominal and digital rectal examination pointsDocumenting findings for staging and planningLesson 2Cross-Section Scans (CT Belly/Pelvis, CT Chest, MRI Needs) and Staging ReadingThis part reviews best use of CT, MRI, and chest scans for suspected right colon cancer, focusing on staging accuracy, finding spread, blood vessel mapping, and how scan results guide removal chances and surgery planning for better outcomes.
CT abdomen/pelvis protocol and contrast timingCT chest for metastatic and pulmonary assessmentMRI indications for liver and local stagingRadiologic TNM staging and resectability criteriaIdentifying vascular variants relevant to surgeryLesson 3Heart and Lung Risk Check (ASA, METs, ECG, Echo, Stress Test Needs)This part explains organised heart and lung risk check, including ASA class, METs, ECG, heart scan, and stress test, and how to fit guideline-based needs into a practical plan for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in resource-limited areas.
Assigning ASA class and documenting comorbiditiesEstimating METs and functional capacity in clinicBaseline ECG indications and interpretation pearlsWhen to order echocardiography preoperativelyStress testing indications and test selectionIntegrating findings into a risk stratification planLesson 4Blood Clot Management and Around-Surgery Blood Thinner PlansThis part details around-surgery handling of blood thinners and clot preventers, including new oral ones, warfarin, and heparin bridging, balancing clot and bleeding risks, and working with heart specialists for tricky stent or valve cases.
Risk stratification for thrombosis and bleedingStopping and restarting antiplatelet therapyManaging warfarin and INR reversal optionsDOAC interruption schedules and renal functionHeparin bridging indications and protocolsCoordination with cardiology and hematologyLesson 5Nutrition Check, Pre-Surgery Fitness, and Low Blood Management PlansThis part covers nutrition screening, muscle wasting, pre-surgery fitness, and low blood management, including iron treatment, blood-making boosters, and blood top-up levels, to cut complications and support fast recovery paths in Nigerian hospitals.
Nutritional screening tools and sarcopenia detectionDietitian referral and optimization strategiesPrehabilitation: exercise and respiratory trainingIdentifying and classifying preoperative anemiaOral versus IV iron and timing before surgeryTransfusion thresholds and ESA use in oncologyLesson 6Pre-Surgery Tests: Full Blood Count, Kidney/Liver Panel, Clotting, Cancer Markers and When to RepeatThis part lists key pre-surgery lab tests for right hemicolectomy, including full blood count, kidney/liver panel, clotting profile, and cancer markers, and sets when to repeat or add tests based on other issues, timing, and changing patient state.
Baseline CBC interpretation and red flagsCMP, renal function, and electrolyte correctionCoagulation profile and bleeding risk factorsCEA and other tumor markers in colon cancerTiming and indications to repeat abnormal labsAdditional tests for high-risk or frail patientsLesson 7Pre-Surgery Team Coordination: Cancer, Anaesthesia, Stoma Care, Elderly/Medicine SpecialistsThis part describes team coordination before surgery, involving cancer experts, anaesthesia, stoma care, elderly care, and general medicine, to match staging, body-wide treatment, risk improvement, and after-surgery support for complex patients.
Indications for tumor board case discussionOncology input on neoadjuvant or adjuvant plansAnesthesiology assessment and optimization goalsStoma therapist evaluation and site markingGeriatrics and medicine comanagement strategiesCommunication and documentation across the teamLesson 8Patient Advice and Agreement: Explaining Gains, Dangers, Options, and Cancer RulesThis part covers organised advice for laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, including explaining diagnosis, gains, dangers, options, cancer rules, stoma chances, and recording informed agreement suited to patient understanding and local culture.
Explaining diagnosis and surgical objectivesDiscussing benefits and expected oncologic outcomesDetailing surgical and anesthesia-specific risksPresenting nonoperative and palliative alternativesDiscussing stoma risk and postoperative functionBest practices for consent documentation and witnessesLesson 9Reading Colonoscopy Results, Biopsy Findings, and Tumour SpottingThis part explains reading colonoscopy reports, biopsy results, and tumour spotting, including marking methods, matching with scans, and how scope findings affect removal size and lymph node removal planning for precise surgery.
Reading colonoscopy reports systematicallyAssessing lesion morphology and synchronous polypsBiopsy handling and key pathology elementsEndoscopic tattooing technique and pitfallsCorrelating endoscopy with cross-sectional imagingImpact on resection margins and lymph node field
