How to distinguish hemorrhoids from colorectal cancer? We will understand 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 to determine the presence of hemorrhoids or colorectal cancer. These pathologies have many common features, namely in the symptoms and course of the disease. Therefore, it is very important to be able to recognize the symptoms of hemorrhoids and colon cancer.
Hemorrhoids: description
This pathology is one of the most common among diseases affecting the rectum. Even at a young age, a person is not immune from her appearance. It is not uncommon for a situation where a more serious pathology, namely colon cancer, is hidden under the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids, as a rule, lend themselves to conservative methods of therapy and are not dangerous to human life.
The disease is described as the formation of venous nodes in the area 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 without treatment. As a rule, it can.
Signs of hemorrhoids
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 detection of the disease occurs with a visual examination. Among other things, the resulting nodes quite often fall out of the intestinal lumen. Hemorrhoidal nodes have the ability to bleed, in most cases not profusely, marked by small spots on toilet paper. If hemorrhoids worsen, spots may also appear on underwear. If the disease is started and is not treated for a long time, the level of hemoglobin in the blood may decrease, due to large blood loss.
How to distinguish hemorrhoids from colorectal cancer is best known to everyone.
Colorectal cancer: description and symptoms
A rectal tumor, or colorectal cancer, is an oncological pathology that is characterized as malignant. The peculiarity of any type of cancer is that the formation of a neoplasm comes from the tissues of the epithelium. The causes of the development of pathology are not fully understood.
How does rectal 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 ways. Cancer, like hemorrhoids, is accompanied by bleeding and itching, as well as a drop in hemoglobin in the blood. A tumor also causes severe pain. When the cancer 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 that provoke intoxication of the body, nausea, fever, unjustified weight loss, weakness, joint pain and increased fatigue.
These are the main symptoms of colorectal cancer in men and women.
Also, in patients with identified colorectal cancer, paraneoplastic syndrome is often diagnosed. This concomitant disease is a form of cancer manifestation in which uncharacteristic reactions of healthy organs and systems are observed, for example:
- Blood clotting disorder.
- Imbalance in hormonal balance.
- Immunodeficiency conditions.
- Impaired electrolyte balance in the blood.
The most pronounced symptoms of colorectal cancer at the final stage, when the tumor becomes inoperable. Doctors sometimes resect certain organs to alleviate the patient’s condition. In addition, chemotherapy, immune or radiation therapy are prescribed. To reduce the intensity or stop the pain syndrome, the patient is prescribed potent painkillers.
Forecast
How many live with colon cancer?
The prognosis of survival in the fourth stage of colorectal cancer is poor. Pathology leads to the inevitable death. More than five years, only 6% of patients survive with adequate and timely treatment. On average, a person with a similar diagnosis lives no more than three years.
How to distinguish hemorrhoids from colorectal cancer?
At the initial stage of development, it is rather difficult to differentiate one disease from another. Therefore, the detailed collection of anamnesis at the beginning of diagnosis, as well as the presence of problems with the rectum in the past, is of key importance. If, for example, a patient has previously treated polyps, this may indicate a possible transformation of 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 an act of defecation. And located on the surface of excrement. Traces of blood on toilet paper remain in the form of a strip. Against the background of the 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 different: with hemorrhoids, it is bright red, and with a tumor it is dark.
In the presence of a neoplasm in the rectum during defecation, mucus is released, which mixes with pus and has a fetid odor. In the excrement during the study, particles of the neoplasm are found.
When the tumor becomes larger, the shape of the feces changes. Over time, the neoplasm overlaps the outlet, which makes the feces ribbon-like and thin. If such features are identified, you should immediately consult a doctor.
With rectal cancer at stage 4, the tumor is able to completely close the lumen, which leads to longer constipation than hemorrhoids. Patients may not go to the toilet for 3-5 days.
In virtually all cases of colon cancer, unreasonable weight loss occurs. Tolerance of a patient with a tumor to physical activity also decreases, severe weakness and low-grade fever are observed.
Tumor metastasis is the most severe consequence of colon cancer. Pathogenic cells spread throughout the body and affect all organs and systems. In colorectal cancer, metastases primarily enter 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.
Diagnostics
Upon initial treatment, a specialist will conduct a physical examination of the patient by palpation through the anus. 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, a specialist will determine its size and characterize the tumor.
Hemorrhoids during palpation is detected as a small node, which is located directly near the outlet. A node may be single or multiple.
Another effective diagnostic method is sigmoidoscopy. Using this procedure, a study is carried out not only of the rectum, but also of the distal sections of the sigmoid colon. The study is painful for the patient and provokes unpleasant sensations, however, sigmoidoscopy allows the selection of a tissue fragment of the tumor.
A biopsy involves the collection of pathological tissues for histological analysis. A biopsy can be performed in various ways, and also act as a supplement to other diagnostic procedures. The histologist takes the material for examination directly from the tumor, and then conducts a laboratory study. Thus, it is possible to confirm or exclude the malignancy of the neoplasm.
Another laboratory method for detecting a neoplasm is a test for tumor markers. These biological compounds are released into the blood as a result of the activity of cancer cells or are the response of healthy cells to the manifestation of activity by the tumor.
In medical practice, there are cases when intestinal damage occurs in many places 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.
Tumor and Hemorrhoids Treatment
The causes of the appearance 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 tumor and hemorrhoids is significantly different.
Cancer is treated surgically. Moreover, the methods of removal can be different and are selected by the doctor individually 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. Such treatments help stop the development of the tumor and prevent the spread of metastases.
How to cure hemorrhoids at home, many are interested.
Hemorrhoid Therapy Methods
Hemorrhoids are treated much easier. The process of inflammation of hemorrhoids is stopped by the following methods:
- Taking medication. It can be suppositories, rectal ointments, tablets, tonic veins, etc. This reduces the severity of the inflammatory process and eliminates the unpleasant manifestations of hemorrhoids.
- Recipes of traditional medicine do not help eliminate the pathology completely, but contribute to the removal of symptoms.
- Methods of treatment of a minimally invasive type. They allow you to quickly and painlessly eliminate the disease. The most common methods are sclerotherapy, latex ring ligation, laser coagulation and cryotherapy.
- Surgical intervention. To eliminate hemorrhoids in advanced and severe cases, hemorrhoidectomy and Longo surgery are used.
Treatment of both pathologies should occur 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 with hemorrhoids. It can be various baths, compresses, ointments and even candles prepared at home. Any manipulations described below occur after bowel movement. For this, an enema is recommended.
Sitz baths
The most popular options for sitting baths in the treatment of hemorrhoids are:
- Steam treatment of the affected area.
- Steam bath with alum.
- Steam with the addition of a decoction of onions and milk.
- Smoky with the addition of garlic. To do this, put red-hot brick, garlic in a container, cover with a lid with a slot and sit on it.
- Cold The patient sits in a basin with cold water for no more than five minutes.
Candles
If we talk about candles, then the most common suppositories are made on the basis of sea 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 pack
An ice pack will help stop bleeding. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory ointments for hemorrhoids are made on the basis of fat with the addition of oak bark, ichthyol, flax and ground water pepper.
Do not forget that all these methods are designed to relieve symptoms, but do not cure hemorrhoids. The listed methods should not be considered more effective than the medication prescribed by a doctor.
We looked at how to distinguish hemorrhoids from colorectal cancer.