Can hemorrhoids turn into cancer: the first signs and symptoms, what is the difference?

The article will figure out whether hemorrhoids can go into cancer.

Hemorrhoids are a varicose transformation of the vessels of the rectum in the form of their extensions, called hemorrhoids. These formations can be internal and external, and at the advanced stages of the pathological process, the nodes begin to fall out and bleed.

The disease proceeds, as a rule, in waves: chronic periods give way to acute ones, and vice versa. The period of remission can be almost painless, and the patient does not have pathological symptoms and complications.

Stages of the disease

The main stages of the disease:

• the formation of external and internal hemorrhoidal nodes;
• periodic loss of nodes and independent reduction;
• prolapse and return of nodes to the site is carried out with additional medication and is accompanied by periodic bleeding.

The periods of exacerbation of hemorrhoids are characterized by a number of complications, of which the most common are thrombosis of the hemorrhoid, swelling and inflammation of adjacent tissues and mucous membranes.

Many people wonder if hemorrhoids can go into cancer?

Characteristics of Colorectal Cancer

Malignant processes in the rectum are characterized by the development of oncological formation originating from the epithelial tissues of the walls of the rectum. Over time, metastases begin to form - screenings from the main focus of the pathological process, with the ability to grow and affect other organs. By structure, metastases are similar to the main tumor.

How to distinguish colon cancer from hemorrhoids? About it below.

Initially, metastases develop in a circle of lymph nodes, and in the process of complicating the disease - in the lymph nodes themselves. In this case, the lesion affects most of the intestine. The next stage is the spread of oncological formations in neighboring organs, which significantly violates their functions. The highest probability of subsidence of metastases is in the lungs, pelvic bones, bladder, uterus. At the last stage of its development, cancer is incurable and leads to death.

So, can hemorrhoids turn into cancer? What signs are there?

Similarity of symptoms

At the early stages of the development of such diseases, the symptoms of the pathological process are quite similar. Their list includes:

• rectal bleeding or stained with blood stool;
• false urge to defecate;
• discomfort or pain in the anorectal region.

When such signals appear, you should immediately consult a doctor to diagnose pathology in order to determine whether it is hemorrhoids or an oncological disease.

How often does hemorrhoids turn into cancer? Let's figure it out.

Differences in symptoms

Hemorrhoids and cancers of the rectum have significant differences among themselves, and they are mainly in symptoms.

Differences in cancer and hemorrhoids:

1. The nature of the blood discharge. With the development of hemorrhoids, the blood has a bright red (scarlet) color, it is released, as a rule, at the end of the act of defecation, which can be visually determined by feces - blood is most often on the surface and often looks like a clearly defined strip. In malignant processes in the rectum, the blood is predominantly dark in color and evenly mixed with feces. How often does hemorrhoids turn into cancer? We will answer this question.
2. The nature of the discharge during bowel movements. In cancer, mucus or pus, and in some cases particles of the malignant neoplasm itself when it is damaged, is sometimes released from the rectum before bowel movement. In addition, a change in the forms of feces can be noted - the development of a tumor often leads to the formation of tape feces. With hemorrhoids, such symptoms are not observed.
3. The nature of constipation. An oncological disease is often accompanied by longer-term constipation than with hemorrhoids. The patient may not empty for more than two days.
4. The general condition of the patient. Sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, pallor of the skin, constant pain in the abdomen, fever, constant feeling of fatigue, shortness of breath and weakness - such symptoms can only occur with oncology and are rarely observed with hemorrhoids.
5. The nature of the formations. Hemorrhoidal nodes, unlike a malignant tumor, fall out of the rectum.
   

In addition, in cases where the patient has previously identified polyps (which should be recorded in the anamnesis), the likelihood of developing cancer pathologies increases. Many people think that hemorrhoids can develop into cancer, how can this be detected?

Diagnostics

To reliably determine the patient’s disease, a fecal analysis is performed, in which there are blood discharge, a digital examination of the rectum, MRI to determine the presence of metastases, colonoscopy, anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and some other procedures that a specialist can prescribe. However, any diagnosis is always quite quick and easy.

Can hemorrhoids turn into cancer?

The answer to this question is quite clear: hemorrhoids do not go into cancer. But this does not exclude the concomitant development of both pathological processes, which, as a rule, occurs extremely rarely.

The fact that hemorrhoids leads to cancer is a fallacy.

Similar symptoms in the early stages of disease development are only an indication for contacting a specialist. Neither oncology nor hemorrhoids pass without a trace, however, colorectal cancer can lead to death if this pathology is not diagnosed in a timely manner and treatment is not started.

Features of the treatment of both pathologies

The treatment of hemorrhoids and oncological tumors can be divided into three main methods:

• drug therapy;
• minimally invasive methods;
• surgical intervention.

Drug treatment

These measures are characterized by the use of prescribed medications: ointments, tablets and suppositories for hemostatic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and venotonic effects.

This type of therapy in most cases is complex and is prescribed to the patient for a certain period of time: in chronic forms of hemorrhoids up to two months, with exacerbation of the disease - from 7 to 14 days.

The most popular medications for hemorrhoids are phlebotonics, combined anesthetic and anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs, which are also used in the treatment of oncology.

Minimally invasive methods

Such treatment is surgery without the use of a scalpel and other cutting medical equipment. These methods include:

• infrared coagulation;
• laser coagulation;
• cryotherapy;
• ligation of the hemorrhoid with latex rings;
• sclerotherapy.

These medical events are carried out using a laser, infrared radiation, liquid nitrogen, sclerosing drugs and specialized latex rings. This allows you to remove hemorrhoidal formations with minimal damage to the rectal region and a short recovery period.

Surgical intervention for hemorrhoids

These methods of treating hemorrhoids and colon cancer are quite similar to each other. Surgical intervention for hemorrhoids involves two main operations:

1. Hemorrhoidectomy - excision of all tissues that are affected by hemorrhoidal changes, as well as tissues around the anus. Certain types of surgical intervention distinguish the fixation of the mucous membrane to the underlying tissue, which is a very traumatic and painful operation with a long recovery period. But its implementation is justified in the last stages of the development of diseases, when pathological processes acquired a neglected nature.
2. Operation Longo - cutting a separate section of the tissue of the mucous membrane, in which the hemorrhoidal nodes are moved deep into the channel with a violation of the processes of their blood circulation. As a result of this, the nodes begin to die on their own. The Longo method is a safer and faster operation with a minimum recovery period, however, it is carried out only with internal hemorrhoidal formations.

Cancer Treatment

Unlike hemorrhoids, oncological diseases of the rectum are treated using the following methods:

• surgically;
• through radiotherapy;
• using molecular-targeted or targeted therapy;
• chemotherapy
• other, less common methods.

Surgical manipulations are performed at the first three stages of cancer diseases of a similar localization. There are several types of operations:

1. Anterior resection, which is characterized by the removal of the affected portion of the rectal canal with further stitching of the ends. Not always a specialist manages to carry out the removal due to the size of the malignant neoplasm or anatomical inconvenience.
2. Hartmann's operation, which is performed in case of oncology complication by a perifocal inflammatory process or acute intestinal obstruction. After removal of the neoplasm, the lower end of the rectum is sutured, and the upper is excreted in the form of a permanent or temporary anus (colostomy).
3. Low anterior resection, which repeats the processes of anterior resection, except that when stitching the intestine, special equipment is used, due to the remote location of the neoplasm (above 5 cm).
4. Abdominal perineal extirpation, characterized by complete removal of the rectum along with the sphincter. After this, a constant colostomy is formed, which is displayed on the abdomen or in the perineum, where the anus was previously located.
   

Hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer are also similar in many prophylactic methods. They include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits and normalizing stool.

We examined whether hemorrhoids can go into cancer.