Are Hemorrhoids Signs Of Cancer

Get To Know Hemorrhoids

How Are Hemorrhoids And Colorectal Cancer Different

There are several key ways in which hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer are different.

First, hemorrhoids are rarely serious and almost never life-threatening, while colorectal cancer can be fatal.

Second, symptomatic hemorrhoids usually stop causing symptoms on their own, while colorectal cancer requires treatment. This means if your rectal bleeding has persisted for years, you might have colorectal cancer .

Third, the symptoms of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer are different. Hemorrhoids often cause itching, pain, and bleeding, while colorectal cancer may cause bleeding, abdominal pain, and weight loss.

Fourth, the risk factors for hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer are different. As we mentioned before, hemorrhoids are often caused by straining during a bowel movement, pregnancy, or obesity.

Colorectal cancer, on the other hand, is often caused by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. For example, people who eat a lot of red meat or processed foods, smoke cigarettes, or have a family history of colorectal cancer are at an increased risk for the disease.

Then, the complications of hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer are also different. Hemorrhoids can sometimes become irritated and bleed, but they almost never lead to more serious problems.

Colorectal cancer, on the other hand, may require a combination of treatments including surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The specific treatment depends on the stage of the cancer.

Are Hemorrhoids A Sign Of Cancer

The symptoms for colon cancer and hemorrhoids sometimes overlap, leading patients to believe their hemorrhoid symptoms are actually indicative of polyp growth in the colon.

Hemorrhoids and colon cancer are two separate abnormalities. As explained, hemorrhoids occur when extra pressure is introduced in the rectum area, whereas polyp growth occurs only along the colon lining.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids

Rectal cancer can cause many symptoms and signs that require a person to seek medical care. However, rectal cancer may also be present without any symptoms, underscoring the importance of routine health screening. Symptoms and signs to be aware of include the following:

• Seeing blood mixed with stool is a sign to seek immediate medical care. Although many people bleed due to hemorrhoids, a doctor should still be notified in the event of rectal bleeding.
• Change in bowel habits
• Prolonged rectal bleeding may lead to anemia, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or a fast heartbeat.
• Bowel obstruction
• A rectal mass may grow so large that it prevents the normal passage of stool. This blockage may lead to the feeling of severe constipation or pain when having a bowel movement. In addition, abdominal pain, discomfort, or cramping may occur due to the blockage.
• The stool size may appear narrow so that it can be passed around the rectal mass. Therefore, pencil-thin or narrow stools may be another sign of an obstruction from rectal cancer.
• A person with rectal cancer may have a sensation that the stool cannot be completely evacuated after a bowel movement.
• Weight loss: Cancer may cause weight loss. Unexplained weight loss requires a medical evaluation.

When To See A Doctor

Its important to see a doctor if you experience rectal bleeding. Though hemorrhoids are the most common cause of rectal bleeding, they can also be a sign of cancer.

A doctor can perform a physical examination, which will likely include a digital rectal exam, to confirm hemorrhoids and rule out more serious conditions.

Make an appointment to see a doctor if you have bleeding during bowel movements or experience pain or itching that lasts more than a few days and isnt relieved by home remedies.

See a doctor right away if you experience rectal bleeding for the first time, especially if youre over 40 or the bleeding is accompanied by a change in bowel habits.

Get emergency care if you experience:

• significant rectal bleeding

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Do Patients With Colorectal Cancer Participate In Clinical Trials

Yes, patients with all stages of colorectal cancer can take part in clinical trials . Clinical trials to evaluate new ways to treat cancer are an appropriate treatment option for many patients with this disease. Through research, doctors learn new ways to treat cancer that may be more effective than the standard therapy. Research has led to significant advances in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service , or from the National Cancer Institutes cancerTrials Web site at http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov on the Internet.

Cancer Information ServiceTTY : 1-800-332-8615

What Is The Treatment For Rectal Cancer

Surgery is likely to be the only necessary step in treatment if stage I rectal cancer is diagnosed.

The risk of the cancer coming back after surgery is low, and therefore, chemotherapy is not usually offered. Sometimes, after the removal of a tumor, the doctor discovers that the tumor penetrated into the mesorectum or that the lymph nodes contained cancer cells . In these individuals, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are offered after recovery from the surgery to reduce the chance of the cancer returning. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy given after surgery is called adjuvant therapy.

If the initial exams and tests show a person to have stage II or III rectal cancer, then chemotherapy and radiation therapy should be considered before surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation given before surgery is called neoadjuvant therapy. This therapy lasts approximately six weeks. Neoadjuvant therapy is performed to shrink the tumor so it can be more completely removed by surgery. In addition, a person is likely to tolerate the side effects of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy better if this therapy is administered before surgery rather than afterward.

Medications

The following chemotherapy drugs may be used at various points during therapy:

Medications are available to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and antibody treatments. If side effects occur, an oncologist should be notified so that they can be addressed promptly.

Surgery

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When To See The Doctor

Hemorrhoids usually just need home remedies and time to go away. If the symptoms persist for more than a couple of days or get worse, however, you should consult a doctor. If theres consistent blood appearing during bowel movements, it could be a sign of colon cancer or other bowel diseases like Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis.

Hemorrhoids Or Colorectal Cancer: How To Know The Difference

In most cases, the problem traces back to a benign condition called hemorrhoids. But sometimes those same symptoms can indicate the onset of colorectal cancer, the third-leading cause of cancer deaths.

So what exactly is going on down there and what is the best way to treat it?

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What Causes Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer usually develops over several years, first growing as a precancerous growth called a polyp. Some polyps have the ability to turn into cancer and begin to grow and penetrate the wall of the rectum. The actual cause of rectal cancer is unclear. However, the following are risk factors for developing rectal cancer:

• Family history of colon or rectal cancer
• High-fat diet and/or a diet mostly from animal sources
• Personal or family history of polyps or colorectal cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Family history is a factor in determining the risk of rectal cancer. If a family history of colorectal cancer is present in a first-degree relative , then endoscopy of the colon and rectum should begin 10 years before the age of the relative’s diagnosis or at age 50 years, whichever comes first. An often forgotten risk factor, but perhaps the most important, is the lack of screening for rectal cancer. Routine cancer screening of the colon and rectum is the best way to prevent rectal cancer.

How Are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed And Treated

Your doctor can typically diagnose hemorrhoids on sight, especially if you have external hemorrhoids, or through internal examination with a finger and anoscope. They can often be easily treated by avoiding straining, increasing dietary fiber , and topical over-the-counter medication or home remedies, including sitting in a warm bath to help reduce swelling and inflammation. Pain relievers can also help to reduce discomfort. Symptoms usually go away within a few weeks. If you have persistent symptoms, your doctor might recommend a colonoscopy to rule out any other problems in your GI tract, and then office-based procedures or surgery.

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Bleeding In Colon Cancer Vs Hemorrhoids

Bleeding is a common symptom of colon cancer and hemorrhoids. When people find blood in their stool, they often immediately assume its one or the other since this is a commonly seen symptom.

While true, there are slight differences in the bleeding caused by colon cancer compared to what is caused by hemorrhoids.

Some anatomical knowledge makes it easier to understand the difference between bleeding caused by either abnormalities.

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The Difference Between Colon Cancer And Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids and colon cancer are two gastrointestinal complications that are on opposite ends of the spectrum. One is a common, curable inflammation the other is notorious for high mortality rates in the United States. Despite the differences in the nature of the diseases, people often mistake one for the other, which can prove detrimental especially if colon cancer symptoms are treated like hemorrhoid symptoms.

So how is colon cancer different from hemorrhoids? Colon cancer is a fatal cancer that mutates from abnormal polyp growth, while a hemorrhoid is an inconvenient yet temporary inflammation around the rectum area.

Sometimes their symptoms may overlap, but its important to understand that hemorrhoid symptoms eventually recede and get better, while colon cancer only further mutates and spreads throughout the body.

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Can I Pop A Hemorrhoid

You must not pop a hemorrhoid because doing so can lead to painful and serious complications. You must always consult your doctor for a definitive diagnosis and treatment. Many conditions in and around your bottom may mimic a hemorrhoid, thus, it is advisable to get yourself examined by a professional.

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What Happens If I Have Colorectal Cancer

If you have colon or rectal cancer, treatment depends on which type of cancer it is, how big it is, and whether it has spread. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Many people get more than one type of treatment. Its important to talk openly with your doctor and ask questions if you dont understand something. Here is a list of questions to ask your doctor that you can take with you.

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Colon Cancer And Rectal Cancer Screening Symptoms Diagnosis & Treatment

IntroductionWhat are screening tests, and why are they so important?What tests are used to screen people for colorectal cancer?Do insurance companies pay for colorectal cancer screening?Does colorectal cancer cause symptoms?How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?How is colorectal cancer treated?Do patients with colorectal cancer participate in clinical trials ?Colorectal Cancer Screening GuidelinesVideo References

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of An External Or Thrombosed Hemorrhoid

Thrombosed external hemorrhoids are a painful condition. These occurs when a blood clot develops in a hemorrhoidal blood vessel causing swelling and inflammation.

• When a blood clot occurs in a hemorrhoid, the hemorrhoid will become even more swollen. This swelling leads to increased pain.
• The pain is usually worse with bowel movements and may increase with sitting.

A thrombosed external hemorrhoid may resolve on its own however, this condition often needs medical care. Bleeding with a bowel movement is never normal and should prompt a visit to a health-care professional. While hemorrhoids are the most common cause of bleeding with a bowel movement, there may be other reasons for bleeding including inflammatory bowel disease, infection, and tumors.

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Getting Help For Hemorrhoid Symptoms

You should seek treatment for hemorrhoid symptoms if:

• You have rectal bleeding for the first time.
• You have heavy rectal bleeding.
• You have rectal bleeding that is not responding to home care.
• You have other hemorrhoid symptoms, such as pain, pressure, itching, and burning, that do not respond to home care after a few days.
• You have hemorrhoid symptoms along with other symptoms such as fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, or a change in bowel habits.

Hemorrhoids are common, but hemorrhoids symptoms that do not clear up quickly with home care or that keep coming back do need to be evaluated, Hall says. The best place to start is with your primary caregiver. In many cases, a primary caregiver can make the right diagnosis and start you on the best treatment. If you need a diagnostic evaluation by a specialist, you may be sent to a gastroenterologist or a colon and rectal surgeon. If you need any surgical treatment, it should be done by a colon and rectal surgeon.

Knowing the differential diagnosis of hemorrhoid symptoms can help you prevent a minor complaint from becoming a serious problem.

What Is Colorectal Cancer

Cancer that forms in either the colon or rectum is often referred to as colorectal cancer. Most begins as a growth, or polyp, on the inner lining of those areas. Although not all polyps are cancerous, left unchecked, they can become invasive and spread into blood vessels and lymph nodes, and then travel throughout your body.

As with hemorrhoids, colorectal cancer affects both men and women and is most common over age 50. While regular screenings continue to lower the overall colorectal cancer death rates, the diagnosis of young adults between the ages of 30 and 50 is on the rise increasing nearly 2.5 percent each year. While reasons for this are still unknown, it stresses the importance of seeing your doctor if you experience any symptoms. Colorectal survival rates are very high with early treatment.

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Unexplained Weight Loss Loss Of Appetite And Feeling Weak

Losing weight, losing your appetite or feeling weak are all possible signs of colon or rectal cancer along with many other unrelated conditions. In patients with colon or rectal cancer, these symptoms are usually related. Persistent diarrhea can cause weight loss. Stomach pain and nausea can reduce your appetite so that you dont consume enough food to maintain your weight. All these issues, as well as anemia, can lead to weakness.

Changes In Bowel Habits

Changes in bowel habits that can indicate colon or rectal cancer include the following:

• New-onset constipation or diarrhea

• Changes in frequency or size and caliber of bowel movements

• A bowel that doesnt seem to empty completely

• Stool that is narrower than normal

Occasional bowel changes can be caused by a dietary change, disagreeable food or a viral/bacterial infection. However, if you are experiencing something new and unexplainedand it lasts more than a couple of dayssee your doctor.

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How Is Colorectal Cancer Treated

Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on a number of factors, including the general health of the patient and the size, location, and extent of the tumor. Many different treatments and combinations of treatments are used to treat colorectal cancer.

Surgery to remove the cancer is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer. The type of surgery that a doctor performs depends mainly on where the cancer is found.

Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. The anticancer drugs circulate in the bloodstream and affect cancer cells throughout the body.

Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area.

Biological therapy, also called immunotherapy, uses the bodys immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer. The immune system recognizes cancer cells in the body and works to eliminate them. Biological therapies are designed to repair, stimulate, or enhance the immune systems natural anticancer function.

Abdominal Pain And Bloating

Stomach bloating, distention, cramps or pain in the abdominal or bowel region can be symptoms of colon or rectal cancer. These are common issues that can also be caused by a number of conditions, including diet-related gastrointestinal distress, Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis. See your doctor if you experience frequent abdominal pain and bloating that does not have an obvious cause.

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Now You Know The Difference Between Hemorrhoids And Colorectal Cancer

While hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer share some similarities, they are two very different conditions.

Hemorrhoids are usually not serious and can be treated at home, while colorectal cancer is a potentially life-threatening disease that requires treatment with surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

If you have any concerns about your symptoms, be sure to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

/5colon Cancer Symptoms Which Are Different From Hemorrhoids

Though unfortunately cancer is detectable only after certain progression in the disease, there are certain symptoms which are very specific to colon cancer. These symptoms are: change in the frequency of bowel movement, pain due to bowel obstruction, sudden nausea, sudden vomiting, drop in weight, narrow or ribbon like stool, pain in the rectum area.

Rectal bleeding can be compared to differentiate colon cancer from hemorrhoids. If the blood is red it is most likely that it is hemorrhoid dark blood is an indication that the bleeding is from within the body.

Abdominal pain is a major symptom of colon cancer. Hemorrhoids do not cause pain in the abdomen.

Fatigue is also a common sign of cancer. Bleeding in the intestinal tract will cause loss of blood and anemia which will subsequently lead to weakness.

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