Introduction
Our surgeons are skillfully trained in treating colon and rectal problems. They review benign and malignant patient cases, perform routine screening examinations, and surgically treat problems when necessary. This list includes some of the most common anal, colon, and rectal diseases that our patients have.
Fissure
A small tear in the skin that lines the anus. An anal fissure occurs when you pass large or hard stool during a bowel movement. Rectal bleeding and pain normally accompany a fissure.
Fistula
An abnormal connection between the rectum and the skin’s surface.
Colorectal Cancer
A malignancy from uncontrolled cell growth in the colon or rectum. Symptoms of colorectal cancer typically include rectal bleeding, anemia, unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel habits.
Bowel Incontinence
A lack of control over defecation, leading to involuntary loss of bowel contents including flatus, liquid stool elements and mucus, or solid feces.
Crohn’s Disease
A type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody if inflammation is severe), vomiting, or weight loss.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood.
Diverticular Disease
This condition occurs when pouches form in the walls of the colon. Many cases can be treated without surgery, however, if a pouch becomes infected the surgical removal of the affected segment of colon may be required.
Hemorrhoids
A hemorrhoid is an enlarged vein around the anus. They can be internal (inside the rectum) or external and typically cause pain, bleeding or itching. Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure, such as straining when constipated or during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids can cause pain, bleeding, clots, and itching.
Small hemorrhoids can often be removed during an in-office procedure. A small rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid, causing the hemorrhoid tissue to die and fall off from lack of blood flow.
Hemorrhoids can also be removed surgically while the patient is sedated. The hemorrhoid is removed and a gauze packing is inserted to reduce bleeding.
Pilonidal Disease
A pilonidal cyst, also referred to as a pilonidal abscess is a cyst or abscess near or on the gluteal cleft of the buttocks that often contains hair and skin debris. Pilonidal cysts are often very painful. A sinus tract, or small channel, may originate from the source of infection and open to the surface of the skin. Material from the cyst may drain through the pilonidal sinus.
Polyps of the Colon or Rectum
Polyps are growths in the lining of the colon. They are often not malignant, but some may turn into cancer over time.
Rectal Prolapse
A prolapse occurs when the rectum comes out through the anus.