Because the symptoms can be similar, many people easily confuse the two conditions. Polyps can be associated with changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. Hemorrhoids should not cause these changes.
So how can you go about understanding the differences between the two conditions? Hemorrhoids often manifest in the form of hard, sore lumps whereas colon cancer symptoms may include diarrhea, constipation, or weight loss.
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.
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. 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.
Screening methods include: Colonoscopy, in which a small tube with a light and camera is inserted into your rectum to look at your colon. If polyps are found, your health care provider may remove them immediately or take tissue samples to send to the lab for analysis.
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.
Pruritis Ani "Also known as anal itching, it's easily mistaken for hemorrhoids, but it's just an itch that often clears up with some dietary changes,” explains Olortegui.
While severe complications of hemorrhoids are quite rare, it's important to know when to see your doctor. "Anytime you have bleeding, feel a lump in the anus, or have rectal pain, you should see a doctor to make sure you don't have a more serious cause of the symptoms," says Aline J.
For most patients, hemorrhoids last anywhere from a few days to many weeks. Painful hemorrhoid symptoms will usually subside sooner if you are careful, follow best practices (outlined below), and implement a few at-home remedies (keep reading!).
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.
Are Hemorrhoids and Colorectal Cancer Related? Although hemorrhoids and colon cancer do share some symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, itching and potential lumps at the anal opening, hemorrhoids do not cause colon cancer.
Because the symptoms can be similar, many people easily confuse the two conditions. Polyps can be associated with changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. Hemorrhoids should not cause these changes.
External hemorrhoids
Severe straining and strenuous exercise can cause these tiny vessels to rupture, which is similar to a blood blister. The ruptured or thrombosed hemorrhoid can grow under the skin and become firm and painful. It is usually dark blue in color and often ruptures producing small dark blood clots.
Complications from untreated hemorrhoids
There is also a risk of bleeding excessively from hemorrhoids. A thrombosed hemorrhoid is an external hemorrhoid that develops a blood clot inside it. This is very painful, and the pain can last for several days. The hemorrhoids may look purple or blue and appear very swollen.
A first-degree internal hemorrhoid bulges into the anal canal during bowel movements. A second-degree internal hemorrhoid bulges from the anus during bowel movements, then goes back inside by itself. A third-degree hemorrhoid bulges from the anus during bowel movements and must be pushed back in with a finger.
Pain. Large polyps can obstruct the bowel and cause abdominal pain or cramping. Bleeding. Small tears in your anus or hemorrhoids can lead to blood after a bowel movement.
Transvaginal ultrasound.
A slender, wandlike device placed in the vagina emits sound waves and creates an image of the uterus, including its insides. A polyp might be clearly present or there might be an area of thickened endometrial tissue.
Most polyps do not cause symptoms. When they do, the most common symptom is bleeding from the rectum. A large polyp may cause cramps, abdominal pain, obstruction, or intussusception.
Stool tests.
Both polyps and colorectal cancers can bleed, and stool tests check for tiny amounts of blood in feces (stool) that cannot be seen visually. (Blood in stool may also indicate the presence of conditions that are not cancer, such as hemorrhoids.)
Experts are not sure what causes colon polyps. It is probably a combination of environmental factors and genetics. However, certain people are at higher risk for getting them, especially if you: Are 45 years of age or older.