How to tell hemorrhoids from rectal cancer? Let's figure it out in this article.
Various pathologies are most often localized in the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract. Hemorrhoids are the most common disease that occurs in different age groups. Quite often, the doctor is faced with the task of conducting a differential diagnosis in order to determine the presence of hemorrhoids or rectal cancer. These pathologies have a lot in common, namely in the symptoms and course of the disease. Therefore, it is very important to be able to recognize the symptoms of hemorrhoids and rectal cancer.
Hemorrhoids: Description
This pathology is one of the most common diseases affecting the rectum. Even at a young age, a person is not immune from its appearance. It is not uncommon for a situation where a more serious pathology is hidden under the symptoms of hemorrhoids,namely rectal cancer. Hemorrhoids, as a rule, are amenable to conservative methods of therapy and are not life-threatening.
The disease is described as the formation of venous nodes in the region of the perianal ring. The structure of the veins is disturbed, leading to changes in their size and shape.
Many people wonder if hemorrhoids can go away on their own without treatment. Usually, it can.
Signs of hemorrhoids
The symptoms of hemorrhoids differ depending on the form of the course of the disease and its stage. The first signs of pathology are itching and burning in the rectum. In addition, frequent constipation is typical for hemorrhoids. With external hemorrhoids, the disease is detected by visual examination. Among other things, the resulting nodes quite often fall out of the intestinal lumen. Hemorrhoids tend to bleed, in most cases not profusely, marked with small spots on toilet paper. If hemorrhoids get worse, spots can also appear on underwear. If the disease is neglected and not treated for a long time, the level of hemoglobin in the blood may decrease, which is explained by large blood loss.
How to distinguish hemorrhoids from rectal cancer, it is better for everyone to know.
Rectal cancer: description and symptoms
Tumor of the rectum, or colorectal cancer, is an oncological pathology that is characterized as malignant. A feature of any type of cancer is that the formation of a neoplasm occurs from the tissues of the epithelium. The reasons for the development of pathology are not fully understood.
How does colorectal cancer manifest?
At an early stage of development, a rectal tumor is similar to hemorrhoids in terms of symptoms. The clinical picture of both diseases is similar in several respects. Cancer, like hemorrhoids, is accompanied by bleeding and itching, as well as a drop in hemoglobin levels in the blood. The tumor also becomes the cause of severe pain. When the oncological disease begins to progress and grow, the tumor blocks the lumen of the rectum, which leads to obstruction of the digestive tract and the development of regular constipation. In addition, patients have pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, gas retention.
A malignant neoplasm differs from hemorrhoids in that it releases biologically active components into the blood, which provoke intoxication of the body, nausea, fever, unreasonable weight loss, weakness, joint pain and increased fatigue.
These are the main symptoms of rectal cancer in men and women.
Also, patients diagnosed with rectal cancer are often diagnosed with paraneoplastic syndrome. This concomitant disease is a form of manifestation of cancer, in which uncharacteristic reactions of he althy organs and systems are observed, for example:
- A bleeding disorder.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Immunodeficiency states.
- Impaired electrolyte balance in the blood.
The most pronounced symptoms of rectal cancer at the final stage, when the tumorbecomes inoperable. Sometimes doctors do a resection of some organs to alleviate the patient's condition. In addition, chemotherapy, immune or radiation therapy is prescribed. To reduce the intensity or stop the pain syndrome, the patient is prescribed strong painkillers.
Forecast
How long do people live with colorectal cancer?
Prognosis for survival in stage 4 rectal cancer is poor. Pathology leads to inevitable death. Only 6% of patients survive for more than five years, provided adequate and timely treatment. On average, a person with a similar diagnosis lives no more than three years.
How do you tell hemorrhoids from rectal cancer?
At the initial stage of development, it is quite difficult to differentiate one disease from another. Therefore, a detailed history taking at the beginning of the diagnosis, as well as the presence of past problems with the rectum, is of key importance. If, for example, the patient has previously treated polyps, this may indicate a possible transformation of the formations into a malignant tumor.
A significant difference in the symptoms of cancer and hemorrhoids is the nature of the bleeding. Against the background of hemorrhoids, blood is released during the act of defecation. And it is located on the surface of excrement. Traces of blood on toilet paper remain in the form of a strip. Against the background of a tumor, feces are mixed with blood clots and do not leave marks on linen or paper. In this case, it is recommended to check for hidden bleeding. The color of the blood is also differentwith hemorrhoids it is bright red, and with a tumor it is dark.
When there is a neoplasm in the rectum during bowel movements, mucus is released, which mixes with pus and has a fetid odor. In the excrement during the study, particles of neoplasm are found.
When the tumor gets bigger, the shape of the stool changes. The neoplasm over time covers the exit hole, which makes the feces thin and tape-like. If such features are identified, it is urgent to consult a doctor.
With rectal cancer at stage 4, the tumor is able to completely close the lumen, which leads to longer constipation than with hemorrhoids. Patients may not go to the toilet for 3-5 days.
In almost all cases of colon cancer, unreasonable weight loss occurs. The tolerance of a patient with a tumor to physical activity also falls, there is severe weakness and low-grade fever.
Tumor metastasis is the most severe consequence of colon cancer. Pathogenic cells spread throughout the body and affect all organs and systems. In rectal cancer, the first place to metastasize is to the liver.
Can hemorrhoids turn into rectal cancer? Specialists excluded malignant transformation. But proctologists and oncologists do not deny the simultaneous existence of cancer and hemorrhoids.
Diagnosis
At the initial visit, the specialist will conduct a physical examination of the patient by palpation through the analhole. At the initial stage, this is the most informative diagnostic method. Thus, the doctor manages to assess the state of the output section of the intestine. If a tumor is detected, the specialist will determine its size and characterize the neoplasm.
Hemorrhoids during palpation are found as a small node, which is located directly near the outlet. Node can be single or multiple.
Another effective diagnostic method is sigmoidoscopy. With the help of this procedure, not only the rectum is examined, but also the distal sections of the sigmoid intestine. The study is painful for the patient and provokes discomfort, however, sigmoidoscopy allows you to take a fragment of the neoplasm tissue.
Biopsy involves the collection of pathological tissues for histological analysis. A biopsy can be performed in various ways, and also act as an adjunct to other diagnostic procedures. The histologist takes material for examination directly from the tumor, after which he conducts a laboratory study. Thus, it is possible to confirm or exclude the malignancy of the neoplasm.
Another laboratory method for detecting neoplasms is a test for tumor markers. These biological compounds are released into the blood as a result of the vital activity of cancer cells or are the response of he althy cells to the manifestation of activity from the tumor.
In medical practice, there are cases when intestinal damage occurs duringmany locations and departments. Irrigoscopy in this case is the most informative diagnostic option. In addition to examining the rectum, if cancer is suspected, it is necessary to check all organs and systems for the presence of pathogenic cells.
Treatment of tumor and hemorrhoids
The causes of a tumor in the rectum or hemorrhoids may coincide. In addition, both pathologies at the initial stage show an almost identical clinical picture. However, the treatment of tumors and hemorrhoids is significantly different.
Cancer is treated with surgery. At the same time, the methods of removal can be different and are selected by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the size of the neoplasm and the severity of the course, as well as on the stage of the cancer. In addition, cancers are treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Treatments like these help stop tumor growth and prevent the spread of metastases.
How to cure hemorrhoids at home, many are interested.
Methods of treatment of hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are treated much easier. The process of inflammation of hemorrhoids is stopped by the following methods:
- Medication taking. These can be suppositories, rectal ointments, tablets, tonic veins, etc. This reduces the severity of the inflammatory process and eliminates the unpleasant manifestations of hemorrhoids.
- Traditional medicine recipes do not help eliminate the pathology completely, but help relieve symptoms.
- Minimally invasive treatment methods. They allow you to quickly and painlessly eliminate the disease. The most common methods are sclerotherapy, latex ring ligation, laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy.
- Surgical intervention. To eliminate hemorrhoids in advanced and severe cases, hemorrhoidectomy and Longo surgery are used.
Treatment of both pathologies should take place under medical supervision. It is important to follow all the instructions of a specialist, as this will help to avoid consequences for the body.
How to cure hemorrhoids at home?
Folk remedies for hemorrhoids
Traditional medicine offers quite a few recipes to alleviate the condition of hemorrhoids. It can be various baths, compresses, ointments and even candles prepared at home. Carrying out any of the manipulations described below occurs after a bowel movement. To do this, it is recommended to carry out an enema.
Sitz baths
The most popular sitz bath options for treating hemorrhoids are:
- Steam treatment of the affected area.
- Steam bath with alum.
- Steam with onion and milk decoction.
- Smoky with garlic. To do this, put a red-hot brick, garlic in a container, cover with a slotted lid and sit on it.
- Cold. The patient sits in a basin of cold water for no more than five minutes.
Candles
If we talk about candles, then the most common suppositories are made on the basis ofsea buckthorn oil. This substance is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, as well as a wound healing agent. In addition, you can make rectal suppositories from potatoes, based on honey, garlic and beets.
Ice compress
An ice compress will help stop bleeding. Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory ointments for hemorrhoids are made on the basis of fat with the addition of oak bark, ichthyol, flaxseed and frayed water pepper.
Do not forget that all these methods are designed to relieve symptoms, but not cure hemorrhoids. These methods should not be considered more effective than medical treatment prescribed by a doctor.
We looked at how to tell hemorrhoids from colorectal cancer.
