rectal disease

Rectal diseases refer to various conditions that affect the rectum, which is the final section of the large intestine responsible for storing stool before it passes out of the body through the anus.

Common Rectal Diseases

• Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins in the rectum or anus that can cause pain, itching, and bleeding.
• Abscesses: Pus-filled pockets that form in the rectum due to bacterial infections.
• Incontinence: Loss of control over bowel movements, leading to involuntary leakage of stool.
• Cancer: A slow-growing cancer that forms on the inner lining of the rectum (rectal cancer).
• Proctitis: Inflammation of the rectum that can cause pain, bleeding, and changes in bowel habits.

Other Rectal Conditions

• Anal fissures: Tiny tears or splits in the lining of the lower rectum.
• Ulcerative Colitis: A chronic inflammatory disease that affects the rectum and colon.
• Diverticulitis: Inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) in the wall of the rectum.

Symptoms

Rectal diseases can cause a range of symptoms, including: * Pain or discomfort in the rectum or anus * Bleeding or discharge from the rectum * Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation * Incontinence or loss of control over bowel movements

Causes and Risk Factors

Rectal diseases can be caused by various factors, including: * Poor diet and lifestyle choices * Bacterial infections * Chronic inflammation (e.g., ulcerative colitis) * Weakened immune system * Family history of rectal diseases

Treatment Options

Treatment for rectal diseases depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. Common treatment options include: * Medications to manage pain, bleeding, or inflammation * Lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications or increased physical activity * Surgical interventions (e.g., hemorrhoidectomy) in severe cases * Targeted therapy or chemotherapy for rectal cancer

References:

[1] - Rectal problems include haemorrhoids, fissures, abscesses and incontinence. Cancer can affect the rectum. [5] [2] - Problems with rectum are common. They include hemorrhoids, abscesses, incontinence and cancer. Many people are embarrassed to talk about rectal troubles. [9] [3] - Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum that can cause pain, bleeding and poop changes. Learn about the different types, causes and treatments of proctitis, including diversion proctitis as a side effect of colostomy or ileostomy. [11] [4] - Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum, part of the digestive system. Learn about the risk factors, screening tests, diagnosis methods, and treatment options for colorectal cancer from MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. [14] [5] - Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum that can be acute or chronic and have different causes. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for proctitis and its complications from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. [15]

Rectal diseases, including rectal cancer and other conditions such as hemorrhoids, can manifest in various ways. Some common signs and symptoms include:

• Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or a more-frequent need to pass stool [1]
• A feeling that the bowel doesn't empty completely [1]
• Abdominal pain [1]
• Rectal bleeding or discharge [4]
• Lumps or swelling within and around the anal area [4]
• Pain during or after a bowel movement [4]
• Constipation, diarrhea, or alternating between the two [5]
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool [5]
• Abdominal bloating [5]

It's essential to note that some of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than rectal cancer or disease. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to discuss them with your doctor to determine the underlying cause.

In many cases, rectal cancers don't cause symptoms at all until the disease is advanced [2]. However, if you do notice any unusual changes in your bowel habits or other symptoms, it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References: [1] Context 1 [2] Context 2 [4] Context 4 [5] Context 5

Rectal Disease Diagnostic Tests

Rectal diseases, including conditions such as rectal cancer and proctitis, can be diagnosed using various diagnostic tests. These tests help doctors identify the cause of symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan.

Imaging Tests

• A thin, flexible tube with a camera may be passed into the rectum and colon to examine the rectum and surrounding areas [1].
• Imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can also be used to look for colorectal cancer [3].

Stool Tests

• Stool tests check for tiny amounts of blood in feces that cannot be seen with the naked eye [2].
• There are different types of stool-based tests, including:
  • Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
  • Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)
  • Stool DNA test [6]

Blood Tests

• Blood tests can be used to check for signs of infection or inflammation in the rectum and surrounding areas [5].
• A complete blood count (CBC) may also be performed to evaluate the overall health of the patient [5].

Endoscopy and Biopsy

• Colonoscopy and biopsy are procedures where a doctor removes a small piece of tissue from the rectum or colon for examination [7].
• Endoscopy can also be used to examine the rectum and surrounding areas, and may involve taking a sample of tissue (biopsy) for further testing [9].

Other Tests

• A digital rectal exam (DRE) is a physical exam where a doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities [5].
• Rectal cultures can be used to check for bacterial infections in the rectum [9].
• Sigmoidoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera into the rectum to examine the rectum and part of the colon [10].

References: [1] - May 17, 2024 [2] - Oct 29, 2024 [3] - Jan 29, 2024 [5] - Diagnosis is the process of finding out the cause of a health problem. · Health history and physical exam · Digital rectal exam (DRE) · Complete blood count (CBC). [6] - Jul 31, 2024 — Stool-based tests · Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) · Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) · Stool DNA test. [7] - Colonoscopy and Biopsy for Rectal Cancer Diagnosis​​ In this test, a doctor removes a small piece of tissue with a special instrument. One of our expert ... [9] - What tests do doctors use to diagnose proctitis? · Blood tests · Stool tests · Rectal cultures · Endoscopy. [10] - Sigmoidoscopy. During this test, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera into your rectum to examine your rectum and part of your colon.

The differential diagnosis of rectal diseases involves considering various conditions that can cause similar symptoms to rectal cancer or other serious rectal conditions.

According to the medical literature, the following are some possible differential diagnoses for rectal diseases:

• Rectal polyps: These are growths on the inner lining of the rectum that can be benign or potentially cancerous. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially if they are large or cause bleeding [1].
• Acute proctitis: This is inflammation of the rectum that can cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding, discharge, urgency, painful defecation, tenesmus, and crampy lower abdominal pain [8].
• Condyloma acuminatum (genital warts): These are benign growths on the skin or mucous membranes caused by human papillomavirus. They can occur in the rectum and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rectal lesions.
• Rectal prolapse: This is a condition where the rectum loses its normal attachments inside the body, allowing it to protrude out through the anus. It can cause symptoms such as rectal bleeding, constipation, and difficulty passing stool [2].
• Anal fissure: A tear in the lining of the anus that can cause pain during bowel movements.
• Anorectal abscess: An abscess (a collection of pus) that forms near the anus or rectum.
• Colorectal cancer: This is a type of cancer that affects the colon and rectum. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially if there are symptoms such as rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss [9].

It's worth noting that many anorectal diagnoses share similar symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose certain conditions accurately. As added challenges, benign anorectal conditions can share common symptoms with cancers of the rectum and colon [6]. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential to determine the correct diagnosis.

References:

[1] Aug 1, 2024 — The following conditions should be included in the differential diagnosis: Rectal polyps should also be considered. [2] May 31, 2022 — Differential Diagnoses · Acute Proctitis · Condyloma Acuminatum (Genital Warts) · Rectal Prolapse. [3] by MW Cohee · 2020 · Cited by 22 — Common anorectal conditions include hemorrhoids, perianal pruritus, anal fissures, functional rectal pain, perianal abscess, condyloma, rectal prolapse, and ... [4] Feb 25, 2023 — Causes · rectal carcinoma · rectal polyp · hypertrophied anal papilla · diverticula phlegmon · Prostate or cervical malignancy (direct extension) ... [5] Jul 7, 2021 — Differential Diagnosis. Anorectal Disorders. Anal fissure · Anal fistula; Anal malignancy; Anal tags · Anorectal abscess · Colorectal ... [6] Apr 19, 2024 — As added challenges, many anorectal diagnoses share similar symptoms, and benign anorectal conditions share common symptoms with cancers of the ... [7] Suspicious rectal bleeding has a wider differential diagnosis than outlet bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids are still a likely cause, but rectal mucosal ... [8] Proctitis refers to inflammation in the rectum. It may result in rectal bleeding or discharge, urgency, painful defecation, tenesmus, and crampy lower ... [9] by AO Sabry · 2023 · Cited by 5 — The differential diagnosis of rectal bleeding should include consideration for more proximal sources of bleeding, especially the colon. Consideration should be ...