About Us
Why choose us?
Our colorectal surgeons perform more than 5,000 surgical procedures annually, including an average of 500 laparoscopic intestinal resections, 260 operations to treat Crohn’s disease, 170 ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgeries, and more than 400 colorectal cancer operations.
The Digestive Disease and Surgical Institute (DDSI) colorectal surgeons performed the world’s first total proctocolectomy and ileoanal pouch procedure with a single-incision, and continue to perform the world's highest volume of J-pouch procedures and is the nation's largest referral center for repairing pelvic pouches. We are also one of the highest volume colorectal cancer surgery centers in the United States, and continually meet the highest national quality benchmarks and oncologic outcomes. Additionally, we specialize in locally advanced colon and rectal cancer, as well as cytoreduction and heated intrapertoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for metastatic disease (i.e., carcinomatosis).
Our surgeons use the latest in diagnostic and treatment options, including transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS), transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (taTME), robotic surgery and intraoperative radiotherapy.
DDSI colorectal surgeons utilize various surgical methods to avoid a permanent colostomy in the treatment of rectal cancer.
These options include:
- Transanal excision (e.g., taTME, TEM, TAMIS).
- Excision of the entire rectum with anastomosis of the colon to the anus.
- Intersphincteric resections.
DDSI houses the largest institutional registries for inherited colon cancer – David G. Jagelman Inherited Colorectal Cancer Registries in the United States and the second largest in the world.
Cleveland Clinic was the birthplace of Enterostomal Therapy/Wound Ostomy, Continence Nursing nearly 50 years ago. DDSI's Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing School was the first of its kind in the world.
Success rates
Colorectal surgeons avoid a permanent colostomy in approximately 80% of rectal cancer cases.
On a national level, the Department of Colorectal Surgery mortality index and length of stay are considerably below expected norms.
Our long term outcomes are among the best in the world, with some of the lowest rates of recurrence of rectal cancer.
What We Treat
Colorectal cancer
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Anal cancer
- Recurring rectal cancer
- Carcinomatosis
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
- Crohn's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Indeterminate colitis
- Perianal Crohn’s
Familial inherited colorectal neoplasia
- Familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome (FAP)
- Lynch syndrome / hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
- Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
- MutYH-associated polyposis (MAP)
- Serrated polyposis syndrome / hyperplastic polyposis syndrome
- Desmoid tumors
- Familial colorectal cancer / type X
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Juvenile polyposis syndrome
- PTEN hamartoma syndrome
- Cowden syndrome
- Others
Rare tumors of the small and large bowel
- Intestinal lymphoma
- Neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumors
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumors
- Presacral tumors
- Appendiceal neoplasms
- Small intestinal adenocarcinoma
- Mesenteric fibromatosis
Diverticular disease and other colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Diverticular abscesses and fistulas
- Segmental colitis associated with diverticular disease (SCAD)
Benign anorectal disease
- Anal fistula
- Anal fissure
- Abscess
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal condyloma
- Buschke-Lowenstein tumors
Enteric fistulas
- Enterocutaneous fistulas
- Colocutaneous fistulas
- Others
Colonoscopy
- Colorectal cancer screening strategies
- Diagnostic colonoscopy
- Polyps of the colon and rectum
- ESD / EMR
Functional bowel disorder
- Slow transit constipation
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Rectal prolapse
- Rectovaginal fistula
- Fecal incontinence
- Sphincter injury
- Proctalgia fugax / levator spasm
Other
- Ischemic colitis
- Collagenous colitis
- C difficile colitis requiring surgery
- Chronic granulomatous colitis
- Sclerosing mesenteritis
- Aseptic abscesses
Florida Doctors
Appointments & Locations
Make an appointment
To find a colorectal specialist for your needs, contact the Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute at 216.444.7000 (or toll-free 1.800.223.2273, ext. 47000).
Patient Resources
For more information
- Visit the Weiss Center, home of the largest institutional registry of patents with a dominantly inherited colon cancer syndrome in the United States, and the second largest in the world.
- Visit the Center for Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer, which specializes in treating patients under age 50 with colorectal cancer.
- Visit the Endoluminal Surgery Center, dedicated to caring for patients with precancerous and early cancerous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Learn more about the R.B. Turnbull, Jr. MD, School of WOC Nursing.
Patient stories
- Young Dad Dodges Colon Cancer, Encourages Others Not to Ignore Symptoms
- Church Bulletin Leads to Priceless Gift in Mother’s Cancer Fight
- Innovative Surgical Technique Treats Young Mom Diagnosed with Rectal Cancer
- Specialized Procedure Saves Woman’s Intestine
- J-Pouch Surgery Gives Patient Her Life Back
- Rectal Cancer Survivor Finds a Partner in Cleveland Clinic
Podcasts
Cleveland Clinic podcast Butts and Guts explores your digestive and surgical health from end to end. You’ll learn how to have the best digestive health possible from your gall bladder to your liver and more from our host, Colorectal Surgery Chairman Scott Steele, MD.
- Colorectal and GI Surgery for Older Adults
- Patient Perspectives: Young Onset Colorectal Cancer
- An Innovative, Organ Sparing Approach to Rectal Cancer
- Which Colorectal Cancer Screening Method is Right for You?
- Colorectal Cancer Symptoms and Screening Guidelines
- Bringing Awareness to Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
- Using Robotics in Colorectal Surgery
- Young Adults and Colorectal Cancer
- Exploring Diverticular Disease
- Rectal Cancer and the Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) Procedure
- Care for a Lifetime: Cleveland Clinic's Pediatric & Adult Colorectal Surgery Clinic
- Liver Transplant Procedures to Treat the Effects of Colorectal Cancer
- Psychosocial Impact of Colorectal Cancer and Other Colon Disorders
- How is Rectal Cancer Care Being Improved by New National Standards?
Health Essentials
Find helpful posts from Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials site. Discover the latest colorectal surgery health and wellness tips.
- Younger than 45? Here Are Tips to Help You Avoid Colon Cancer
- When Should You Start Getting Screened for Colorectal Cancer?
- How Long Does It Take Colon Polyps To Turn Cancerous?
- How to Prevent Colorectal Cancer
- What You Can Do to Catch Colon Cancer Early
- Which Colorectal Cancer Screening Method Is Right for You?
- Should You Use an At-Home Test for Colon Cancer Screening?
- Does Having Crohn's Disease or Colitis Affect My Risk of Getting Colon Cancer?
- Does Having Surgery for Crohn's Disease Open 'Pandora's Box' and Lead to Needing More Surgery in the Future?
- Colon Polyps: Which Ones Are Riskiest for You?
- Under Age 50? 4 Tips to Help You Avoid Colon Cancer
For Medical Professionals
Referrals
Please call our Referring Physician Hotline at 855.REFER.123 (855.733.3712) that is available every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
Podcasts
Cleveland Clinic podcast Cancer Advances is a podcast for medical professionals, exploring the latest innovative research and clinical advances in the field of oncology with host Dale Shepard, MD.
- Screening Guidelines and Incidence Rates for Colorectal Cancer
- Preventing and Treating Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
Consult QD
Find helpful posts from Cleveland Clinic's site for physicians and healthcare professionals. Discover the latest colorectal surgery research insights, innovations, treatment trends and more:
