Final answer:
In cases of cancer, colostomies are typically permanent, especially if the cancer is advanced or the bowel cannot be reattached. Surgical alternatives like a J-pouch or an ileostomy might be used if a colostomy cannot be avoided.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colostomies performed for cancer are often permanent. In cases where the cancer has been removed and the continuity of the bowel can be restored, sometimes a colostomy can be temporary. However, if the cancer is located in a particular section of the colon that doesn’t allow for reattachment or if the cancer is advanced, a permanent colostomy may be necessary. In situations where a colostomy cannot be avoided, advancements in surgical techniques have made it possible to create a new fecal pouch from the small intestine, which is sutured to the anus—this is known as a J-pouch. If a J-pouch cannot be created, for example, due to the location or extent of the disease, an ileostomy may be performed. This involves bringing the distal ileum through the abdominal wall. The effluent, or watery chyme, is then collected in an external bag-like adhesive appliance.