Hemorrhoids produce the symptom of pruritus (itching) in the rectal and/or anal area while rectal cancers usually do not. Many hemorrhoids can be palpated or seen during a physical exam and are usually easy to diagnose. Rectal cancers are diagnosed by biopsy.
This happens all the time, because a rare cancer of the anal canal is not something that is on people's mind. Because symptoms are sometimes anal bleeding, it can feel like a hemorrhoid.
Similar Symptoms, Different Diagnosis
Hemorrhoids tend to flare and then go away, but if the bleeding is constant and progressive or a combination of both pain and bleeding, it could be something more.
External hemorrhoids
When a vein within an external hemorrhoid gets irritated, blood may clot under the skin, forming a hard, bluish lump. This is known as a thrombosed, or clotted, hemorrhoid. Thrombosed hemorrhoids can be very painful.
Polyps can be associated with changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. Hemorrhoids should not cause these changes. However, polyps don't always cause these changes either, so it's important not to assume that you have a hemorrhoid just because there are no changes in your bowel habits.
You may be able to feel a nasal polyp with your finger if it's close to your nostril, but it's generally not a good idea to put your finger up your nose. (If you must, make sure you wash your hands before and after.)
Pain. A large colon polyp can block part of your bowel, leading to crampy abdominal pain. Rectal bleeding. This can be a sign of colon polyps or cancer or other conditions, such as hemorrhoids or minor tears of the anus.
They can be painful or itchy and may bleed. Hemorrhoids can be external or internal. External hemorrhoids form under the skin around the anus and can easily be felt with your fingers. Internal hemorrhoids form in the lining of the anus or lower rectum, and you can't feel them unless they form outside the anal opening.
In general, small hemorrhoids can go away on their own in a few days. Larger hemorrhoids, particularly ones that cause a lot of pain, swelling, and itchiness, can't go away on their own and may require treatment from a doctor to heal. Pregnant patients may find that hemorrhoids only go away after they give birth.
In some cases, the hemorrhoids might feel like small lumps in the anus and project from the back passage only after straining on the toilet; in severe cases, the swellings will be constantly visible.
Know When to See Your Doctor
If you're experiencing any type of rectal bleeding. If the hemorrhoids are causing you pain or discomfort. If the problems persist despite trying over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or other remedies.
If discomfort from hemorrhoids isn't resolved within a week.
When you've had persistent discomfort, pain, or itching for a week, it's time to talk to a doctor. While some symptoms of hemorrhoids resolve on their own, others do not and can be treated by a doctor, so you don't have to live with the daily symptoms.
Hemorrhoids and colon or anal cancer can cause similar symptoms, such as rectal bleeding or lumps in the anus. A doctor can distinguish between them through tests, such as a physical exam, a colonoscopy, a stool test, and a biopsy.
Pain, itching and tenderness may persist because there is always pressure on rectal veins during bowel movements. Different factors may contribute to healing though. Small internal or external hemorrhoids may heal within a week or so, but enlarged internal hemorrhoids may take at least a couple of months to improve.
It takes about 7-10 days for hemorrhoid symptoms to go away completely. But since they're a natural part of the body, you can never get physically rid of them unless you have them surgically removed. You can get rid of only the symptoms that occur when hemorrhoids are inflamed.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids
If you have a hemorrhoid, you may feel a tender lump on the edge of your anus. You may also see blood in the toilet or on toilet paper after a bowel movement. You may feel pain or itchiness in that area.
Doctors also often recommend surgery if someone has very enlarged grade 3 or grade 4 hemorrhoids that are sticking out. As well as conventional surgery to remove hemorrhoids (known as hemorrhoidectomy), there's a special surgical technique known as stapled hemorrhoidopexy or "stapling."
Yes, you can push a hemorrhoid back in. In fact, pushing it back inside can protect the blood vessel and lower your risk of getting a blood clot or hemorrhoid strangulation.
Despite commonly-held beliefs, hemorrhoids are not usually painful. They can cause painless, bright red bleeding and may bulge outside the anal opening, also known as prolapse, during bowel movements. If they get large enough, patients may see or feel a soft, pink bulge of tissue prolapsing out of their anus.
Internal hemorrhoids are covered with a lining called mucosa that is not sensitive to touch, pain, stretch, or temperature, while external hemorrhoids are covered by skin that is very sensitive. When problems develop, these two types of hemorrhoids can have very different symptoms and treatments.
Cancerous polyps may cause no symptoms at all. But if you do have symptoms, they depend on where the polyp is located: Colorectal polyps may cause belly pain, constipation, diarrhea or blood in your poop. Stomach polyps may cause nausea, belly pain, vomiting and bleeding.
There are two major types of polyps based on shape: sessile and pedunculated. Sessile polyps are flat and grow along the inner lining of the colon wall. Pedunculated polyps grow on a short stalk, like a mushroom. This can cause these types of polyps to protrude inside the colon.
Exams and Tests
Through screening tests, colon cancer can be detected before symptoms develop. This is when the cancer is most curable. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and press on your belly area. The physical exam rarely shows any problems, although the doctor may feel a lump (mass) in the abdomen.