Differential diagnosis of rectal cancer and hemorrhoids

Sometimes different diseases have similarities. For example, hemorrhoids and rectal cancer are two diseases that are easy to confuse. We know that not only hemorrhoids have symptoms of varying degrees of blood in the stool, but also complications of difficulty in defecation. Rectal cancer also has typical symptoms such as blood in the stool. The early symptoms of rectal cancer are not obvious and easy to ignore, and rectal cancer is a disease that is very easy to be misdiagnosed. However, the harm caused by rectal cancer to people is fatal and should be paid attention to. So, how to distinguish between rectal cancer and hemorrhoids? Let's take a look together.

1. 90% of colorectal cancer patients are misdiagnosed as "hemorrhoids" when they develop the disease because they all have symptoms of bloody stools. Generally, it is impossible to confirm whether it is a hemorrhoid attack or a colorectal cancer attack by just doing a stool test. It is best to go to the hospital for a rectal digital examination to confirm the diagnosis, and of course a colonoscopy can also be done.

2. The bowel habits of hemorrhoid patients and rectal cancer patients are different. Patients with internal, external and mixed hemorrhoids of hemorrhoid diseases will not experience significant changes in bowel habits; however, some rectal cancer patients often feel an increase in bowel movements and a strong desire to defecate.

3. The different stool shapes are also a criterion for distinguishing rectal cancer from hemorrhoids. Generally, the stool of patients with hemorrhoids does not change much. However, it is different for patients with colorectal cancer. They often have loose stools, thin stools, and even poor appetite and less bowel movements.

Note: patients with rectal cancer should pay attention to their diet and eat more green vegetables. Try not to eat peppers and barbecue, and patients with rectal cancer should not eat hairy foods. Patients with hemorrhoids should drink more water. Pay attention to genital hygiene.