extensive resection of colon

My father, 74 years old has just returned from a doctor with very bad news. He has a colon cancer. First he was having diarrheas combined with constipations and then he noticed blood in his feces. Now he is supposed to undergo a surgery, extensive resection of colon. Doctor said that it is his only hop. Is this procedure effective? Will it really help him or will it just prolong his agony? He is becoming anemic, something must be done.

You are right. Something will be done and by the help of extensive resection of colon. During this procedure, beside the part of the colon (intestines), surrounding lymphatic nodes will be removed also. After the surgery, patient must receive chemotherapy to prevent metastasis of cancer cells. If everything goes well, patient could hope for at least 5 to 10 years of life.