The difference between hemorrhoids and anal cancer

So, what is the difference between hemorrhoids and anal cancer? Answering this question, Dr. Chau Tan Dat, Head of Oncology Department, Ca Mau General Hospital, said: "Hemorrhoids with symptoms of swelling, pain, and bleeding make many people fear cancer. However, there are many differences between hemorrhoids and anal cancer and colon cancer."

Doctor Chau Tan Dat informed that according to medical evidence, anal cancer is an abnormal development of anal cells, which can metastasize to other parts of the body. This is a very dangerous disease, if not detected and treated early, it can be life-threatening.

However, hemorrhoids are a condition in which the anal tissues (containing veins) become swollen 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).

Doctors at Hung My Commune Health Station (Cai Nuoc District) perform ultrasound imaging to diagnose patients. (illustrative photo)

Both hemorrhoids and anal cancer have many similar symptoms, which can easily cause patients to be subjective or overly worried. However, they have different causes.

The most common cause of anal cancer is the HPV virus (Human Papilloma Virus), which is common in people over 40 years old. People who have many sexual partners or have anal sex are at higher risk of the disease than normal.

As for hemorrhoids, the cause is believed to be a long-term stressful lifestyle, eating a lot of spicy foods, lack of exercise, and chronic constipation. Hemorrhoids are also common in pregnant women.

Oncologists have pointed out specific symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, causing bleeding during the patient's bowel movements. In particular, for anal cancer, common symptoms are changes in bowel habits. Patients may have urge to defecate (have to defecate many times, each time passing little or no stool), passing small and flat stools. People with hemorrhoids often suffer from chronic constipation. In addition, there is also the phenomenon of anal bleeding. Both of these diseases cause anal bleeding. However, people with hemorrhoids often bleed bright red, the blood gradually decreases after defecation. While in anal cancer, the blood can be dark red or bright red.

Doctor Chau Tan Dat further explains the difference between the two diseases: “In people with external hemorrhoids, the hemorrhoid can be felt in the anus or protrude completely. Hemorrhoids can also protrude when the patient sneezes, laughs, coughs or when standing for a long time. Meanwhile, in people with anal cancer, it is difficult to see the tumor but only feels like there is a lump in the anus. Touching the anal area can feel rough and hard.”

In fact, there are many cases of disease with atypical symptoms, requiring examination and testing methods to distinguish the difference between hemorrhoids and colon cancer, hemorrhoids and anal cancer. Therefore, to ensure the accuracy of their disease, patients need to go to a gastroenterologist for an accurate diagnosis as well as the most appropriate treatment possible./.

Phuong Vu

Source link