Video library

Colorectal health, explained

43 short videos on the conditions patients ask about most — what they are, why they happen, and what treatment actually involves. Recorded and reviewed by Dr. Kamrava.

• If Rectal Cancer Comes Back: What Happens Next?The content discusses the possibilities if rectal cancer returns after initial treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. The patient's path depends on the initial response, either "watch and wait" (if the tumor had a complete clinical response or CCR) or traditional surgery. If cancer returns after "watch and wait," it is called local regrowth (occurring in about 25% of candidates). If it returns after surgery, it is called a local recurrence; the rate of recurrence has plummeted to about 6% today due to advances like total mesorectal excision (TME). Consistent, close follow-up (surveillance) is the most critical element. If a return is found early, treatments are highly effective; for patients with local regrowth, salvage surgery can successfully remove the tumor and offer a cure about 90% of the time.
• Ulcerative Colitis: When to Consider Surgery (J-Pouch Explained)This guide focuses on Ulcerative Colitis (UC), an IBD where inflammation is confined to the innermost lining (mucosa) of the large intestine. Surgery is a common, proactive option for about 3 out of 10 people with UC during their lifetime. Reasons for elective surgery include medication failure, intolerable side effects, or managing the increased risk of colorectal cancer (which jumps to 18% after 30 years with UC). The gold standard procedure is the J-pouch (Ileoanal Pouch Anastomosis or IPAA), which involves 1) removing the diseased colon/rectum, 2) folding the small intestine (ilium) into a J-shaped pouch, and 3) reconnecting the pouch to the anus to restore the natural pathway. It is emphasized that UC patients experiencing worsening symptoms must always be checked for a separate infection, such as C. diff or CMV, as mistakenly treating an infection with immunosuppressants can be dangerous.
• Crohn's Colitis: Explained Simply (A Beginner's Guide)This explainer defines Crohn's colitis as a type of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) where Crohn's disease is specifically located in the colon. Unlike ulcerative colitis, Crohn's inflammation affects the entire thickness of the bowel wall. It is an autoimmune condition where the body's security team mistakenly attacks healthy colon cells. The two main treatment goals are inducing remission (calming flare-ups immediately) and maintaining remission (long-term prevention of future flare-ups). Medications are categorized as a "toolkit": corticosteroids (fast-acting, short-term use), immunomodulators (long-term, steroid-sparing plan), and biologics (targeted, modern drugs for moderate to severe disease). Surgery is presented as an effective, strategic tool (not a sign of failure or last resort) used to manage complications like blockages or fistulas, or when medicines fail. Ongoing, proactive care ("treat-to-target") is necessary because even after surgery, inflammation returns in up to 90% of patients within three years if they are not on medical therapy.