Polyps of the anal canal and rectum are called tumor-like benign formations that come from the mucous membrane of the anorectal region. Often their development is asymptomatic, but they can also manifest discomfort in the anus or itching, pain and even bleeding due to erosion.
If anal polyps become infected, this can lead to paraproctitis and the appearance of anal fissures. It is imperative to remove the rectal polyps, since they are able to go into the segment of malignant, they are referred to as precancerous diseases of the rectum.
What is a polyp?
Polyp called a tumor, which is attached with a leg to the wall of a hollow organ. They belong to a fairly common pathology and are able to form in any organ of the digestive system. Anal polyps are benign formations and can occur both in groups or one at a time. This disease can be detected in people at any age, even in children. Family polyposis (hereditary), which is present in close relatives, tends to become malignant. Polyposis affects more men (one and a half times) than women. About 10% of people over 45, according to studies by the American Cancer Association, suffer from intestinal polyps. 1% of cases of this disease become malignant. However, if signs of bleeding (malignancy) were detected already at an early stage and timely medical attention was given, then the prognosis is much better (84% of patients survive).
Types of Polyps
Anal polyps can be divided by distribution and quantity: multiple polyps in the form of groups of formations in different parts of the colon and a single polyp, as well as diffuse hereditary polyposis.
According to the morphological structure, polyps can be divided into fibrous, glandular-villous, glandular, juvenile (cystic granular), hyperplate and villous. Moreover, pseudopolyposis is also distinguished, when in case of chronic inflammation, the mucosa grows according to the type of polyps. What does an anal polyp look like? Photos can be found in the article.
Symptoms of rectal polyps
There are no specific clinical manifestations that would help to say with confidence about the presence of this pathology in polyps of the rectum. The severity and presence of symptoms depends on the number of polyps, morphological structure, their size, location, as well as the absence or presence of malignant growth. But this is not all, very often the clinical picture is accompanied by symptoms of concomitant pathologies.
Typically, polyps are detected during an endoscopic examination of the intestine for another disease. Large anal polyps can manifest as bloody or mucous discharge from the anus, a sensation of the presence of a foreign body in the anus, and discomfort. Possible pain in the iliac region, as well as the lower abdomen. Often, polyps can cause a violation of the activity of intestinal motility, while contributing to the occurrence of diarrhea or constipation.
The effects of polyps
The most common consequence of polyps is constipation, since their presence in the lumen causes partial intestinal obstruction. A dangerous sign that requires immediate medical attention is bleeding, because it can be caused by oncological pathology, the detection of which at an early stage will contribute to a more successful treatment. The occurrence of the inflammatory process with polyps is most often suggested by abdominal pain. How to identify the polyp of the anus? About it further.
Diagnosis of polyps of the rectum
Due to the transition of polyps to the category of malignant tumors of the colon, many oncological tumors have been identified. In this connection, it is possible to advise patients, when detecting polyposis, to regularly undergo examinations by a proctologist for malignancy of these same polyps.
Detection of malignant growth in the rectal wall polyps at an early stage can facilitate timely removal of the tumor and in 90% recovery. To detect polyps in the terminal section and the anal canal of the rectum, a digital examination of the anus is used. This type of study also allows you to exclude or identify other diseases, for example, rectal fistulas, hemorrhoids, cysts and tumors of pararectal tissue, anal fissures. Finger research in men, including, allows you to understand the condition of the prostate.
How are anal fibrous polyps detected?
Sigmoidoscopy is an instrumental informative study of the rectum, which allows you to examine the intestinal wall at an internal 25 cm height from the anus. The main part of the polyps occurs in the sigmoid and rectum, they can be detected using a rectoscope. Colonoscopy will allow the doctor to visualize the entire colon and its walls. These methods can be called optimal for identifying polyps, and they also contribute to the detection of other intestinal pathologies and the study of its mucous membrane. The anal canal polyp, whose size is more than 1 cm, allows irrigoscopy to be detected in the upper parts of the colon. If polyps were detected during endoscopy, specialists will carry out a biopsy specimen for further histological and cytological studies.
Among laboratory methods, a test of feces for occult blood can be noted, which is performed if intestinal pathology is suspected. Modern methods of visualization of internal organs include computer and magnetic resonance imaging, which also contribute to the detection of pathologies of the large intestine.
Differential diagnostics
It is necessary to distinguish a polyp of the anal canal from a number of other diseases of the pelvis, its organs, such as:
- tumors of an incompetent nature: myoma (tumor of the muscle layer) and angioma (vascular tumor);
- lipomas;
- Crohn's disease, which can be mistaken for pseudopolyposis;
- actinomycosis of the colon (most often a cecum tumor).
Histological examination is of primary importance in the differential diagnosis of colon polyps.
Therapy of rectal polyps
Conservatively polyps are not treated. If the size of the polyp and its location allow, then it is removed during endoscopy, and if not, then surgically. Low-lying polyps are removed transanally. Small polyps that were detected during a colonoscopy are removed during the procedure by endoscopic by electro-excision (the polyp leg is wrapped around the loop electrode and pinched).
How does the removal of the anal polyp occur?
The largest polyps are removed in parts. In rare cases, complications can occur with polypectomy in the form of bleeding and perforation of the intestinal wall. The removed polyps are subjected to histological examination. If cancer cells were found during the study, the question is raised about the resection of the intestinal tract that is affected. Hereditary or familial polyposis is treated with total resection of the colon and the connection of its free end subsequently with the anus. With a combination of adenomatosis and tumors of other tissues, Garder syndrome (osteomas of the cranial bones), only this type of treatment can give a result.
That's what the removal of the anal canal polyp means.
Prognosis for polyps of the rectum
In most cases, timely removal and detection of polyps is accompanied by recovery. But there are also frequent cases of relapses after one to three years, therefore, one year after the removal of large polyps, a control colonoscopy is performed, and it is recommended to regularly undergo endoscopy, approximately every 3-5 years. The transition of the polyp to the stage of malignancy is directly related to the number and size of formations. Multiple large polyps are much more often malignant, since the risk of malignancy can reach 20%. The greatest likelihood of transition to cancer in family polyposis.
Prevention of polyps of the rectum
Currently, there is no particular prophylaxis for polyps. To reduce the risk of their occurrence, it is recommended to eat balanced, lead an active lifestyle and undergo timely examinations of the digestive tract and treatment of identified diseases. The most important preventative measure for colorectal cancer is the early detection of polyps.