Distinguish signs of colon cancer, anal cancer and hemorrhoids

The article is expertly consulted by Dr. Nong Ngoc Son - Doctor of Chemotherapy and Palliative Treatment - Oncology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Hemorrhoids with swelling, pain and bleeding make many people fear cancer. However, there are many differences between hemorrhoids and anal and colon cancer.

Anal cancer is an abnormal growth of anal cells that can spread to other parts of the body. This is a very dangerous disease, if not detected and treated early, can be life-threatening.
Hemorrhoids are swollen anal tissues (containing veins) due to prolonged constipation, causing inflammation, developing blood clots or the anus becoming enlarged and protruding causing discomfort. These hemorrhoids can be inside the anus (internal hemorrhoids) or protrude partially or completely (external hemorrhoids).
Hemorrhoids and anal cancer have many similar symptoms, easy to cause subjective or excessive worry for the patient.
See more: Hemorrhoids from A to Z: Causes, signs and effective treatment

1.1. The most common cause of anal cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is common in people over the age of 40. People who have multiple sex partners or have anal sex are at a higher risk than usual.
The cause of hemorrhoids is believed to be due to lifestyle and prolonged stress, eating a lot of hot spicy food, sedentary, lack of exercise, chronic constipation. Hemorrhoids are also common in pregnant women during pregnancy.

1.2. Symptoms of hemorrhoids and anal cancer Although they have similar symptoms such as constipation, blood in the stool... but these two diseases still have many differences as follows:
Change in bowel habits: With anal cancer, the common symptom is a change in bowel habits, the patient may have to strain (to have a bowel movement many times, each time passing little or no stool), passing small and flat stools. . Meanwhile, people with hemorrhoids often suffer from chronic constipation. Anal bleeding: Both diseases cause anal bleeding. However, people with hemorrhoids often have bright red bleeding, which decreases after defecation. While in anal cancer, the blood may be dark red or bright red. Appearance of lumps and lumps: In patients with external hemorrhoids, hemorrhoids can be palpated in the anus or protruded completely. Hemorrhoids can also come out when an infected person sneezes, laughs, coughs or when standing for a long time. Meanwhile, in patients with anal cancer, it is difficult to see the tumor but just feel like there is a lump in the anus. The anal area may feel rough and hard to the touch. Other symptoms of anal cancer: Swollen lymph nodes in the groin, abnormal bleeding from the anus, decreased appetite, weight loss, poor health, while people with hemorrhoids are still normal.

Some symptoms identify hemorrhoids that colon cancer does not:
Hemorrhoids: There is a protrusion outside the anus when having a bowel movement, especially when defecating. This mass can at first come up on its own, but after it gets bigger, it can't go up on its own, you have to use your hands to push it up or even bigger, it will stay in the anus. There are cases when hemorrhoids become infected or clogged, causing a lot of pain. Blood in the stool, especially when constipated: Characteristically, the stool is still yellow with blood or in a more typical case, blood flows in a stream after the stool has passed. Longo surgery to remove hemorrhoids gives quite satisfactory results, short hospital stay, and reduced postoperative pain. However, removing hemorrhoids by this method is still very painful and there may be some complications such as infection or anal stenosis,...
To reduce complications of hemorrhoid surgery, bring long-lasting results Long term and to prevent recurrence, patients should perform at reputable hospitals and experienced doctors. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading medical facilities in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Vinmec has successfully treated many severe and complicated hemorrhoids. Patients had less postoperative pain and a short hospital stay.

Colon disease is actually a group of diseases of the colon, not just a disease. Manifestations that help point to disease in the colon are:
Abdominal pain along the colonic frame; Diarrhea , constipation or diarrhea and constipation alternating; especially when scurrying, each time only a few stools but with mucus; Digestion of broken faeces; Grieving (hesitating, feeling that the bowels do not go out, but constantly picking up the bowels); Danger warning signs that need screening to rule out cancer: New-onset at the age of over 40; bloody diarrhea (the difference with hemorrhoids is that the blood is often mixed with feces, not alone, sometimes black blood or dark red blood like fish blood); constipation alternating with diarrhea lasting more than 4 weeks; tenesmus persists for several weeks; passing small flat stools; a family history of colon cancer. In fact, there are many cases of disease with atypical manifestations, it is necessary to use examination and test methods to distinguish the difference between hemorrhoids and colon cancer, hemorrhoids and cancer. anal mail.

Some typical differences can help patients differentiate the disease. However, in order to accurately ensure their disease, the patient needs to see a gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Vinmec International General Hospital is a reputable medical facility that always deploys a Colon Cancer Screening Package for customers at risk of cancer, especially customers with colon polyps, enteritis , family history of colorectal cancer or suspected familial adenomatous polyposis, Lynch syndrome.

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