Anal Polyp: Symptoms And Treatment, Photos, Causes, Diagnosis

2024 Author: Rachel Wainwright | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 07:39

Anal polyp: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

The content of the article:

What are polyps
Classification
The reasons
Symptoms
Diagnostics

Additional examination methods
Treatment of polyps in the anus
Forecast and prevention
Video

An anal polyp is a benign formation that is formed from cells of the rectal mucosa and is characterized by a prolonged asymptomatic course with possible malignancy. The localization site is limited by the walls of the anal canal, the length of which is about 4 cm.

The formation of anal polyps occurs from the cells of the rectal mucosa

In addition to the likelihood of degeneration into a malignant form, a polyp can be complicated by the addition of an infection with the development of anal fissures, paraproctitis, ulceration and, as a result, bleeding.

The anal canal is the terminal part of the intestine. Its upper border is the anorectal junction, downward, the canal ends with the anus.

What are polyps

Polyp is a descriptive term that refers to an overgrowth of mucosal tissue (not skin). The formations have intraluminal growth and can be found in many cavity organs, for example, in the uterus, vagina, throughout the intestine, in the urinary, gall bladder, etc.

Polyps in the anus can be single or multiple

Polyps look like towering growths and are attached in two ways: a thin stem or a wide base. They can be single and multiple. A family history of polyposis (multiple forms) increases the risk of malignant transformation.

Pathology occurs in almost all age groups of the population. Men are 1.5 times more likely to have intestinal polyposis. This pathology is diagnosed in 10% of people over the age of 40, of which 1% of cases eventually degenerate into a malignant form.

The disease is found in 30% of patients with chronic anal fissure and in 10% with prolapse of the rectum mucosa.

Classification

Several classifications are known, depending on the characteristics of anal polyps:

Sign	Description
By the prevalence of the process	Solitary Multiple (polyposis) Diffuse (familial type of polyposis)
By histological structure	The first group: adenomatous, glandular-villous, connective tissue (fibrous), cystic-granulating (juvenile), hyperplastic Second group: villous Group 3 (rare): lipoma, nevus, hemangioma, lymphoma, carcinoid
By characteristic appearance	Smooth flat surface Smooth surface With a lobular structure Villous
By the nature of growth	Benign With signs of malignancy (with and without invasion).

The clinical diagnosis is established on the basis of all the above classifications, after collecting complaints, anamnesis of the disease and life, the results of histological and cytological studies of the neoplasm.

The reasons

The etiological role in the formation of polyps in the anus is not fully understood. There are several theories describing the cause of the growth, the most common of which are:

chronic inflammatory process of the mucous membrane: the theory is confirmed experimentally, in which prolonged irritation of the inner wall of the intestine led to polyposis;
embryonic theory: implies a violation of the formation of the intestinal wall during embryogenesis;
genetic predisposition.

Risk factors are:

hypodynamia;
frequent constipation;
taking products that irritate the intestinal mucosa;
alcoholism;
vascular pathology;
inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, etc.

Symptoms

For a long time (in some cases, up to several years), the pathology proceeds without any manifestations. The lump is sometimes found randomly on endoscopic examination for another disorder.

The appearance of the first symptoms is possible with a large polyp, a violation of its nutrition or integrity, inflammation, malignant degeneration, etc.

Pathology is manifested by a violation of the stool

The entire spectrum of symptoms can be divided into several groups:

pain and discomfort: the presence of pain in the abdomen, a burning sensation and itching, heaviness in the anus;
pathological discharge and their admixture in the stool: copious mucous membranes, bloody or mixed;
dysfunction of the intestinal wall: violation of the stool with a predominance of constipation or diarrhea, or with their alternation, frequent urge to defecate;
feeling of a polyp near the anus.

In the presence of the above symptoms, an urgent need to consult a family doctor or proctologist.

Diagnostics

Early detection, diagnosis and treatment lead to successful tumor removal and subsequent recovery in 80–90% of cases.

After the doctor has interviewed the patient, he proceeds to the examination and digital examination of the anus. This allows you to detect the pathology of the accessible area of the intestinal mucosa (cracks, neoplasms, prostate pathology, fistulas, cysts, hemorrhoids).

To confirm the diagnosis, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is performed

To visualize the formation and take a biopsy:

sigmoidoscopy: sigmoidoscope is an optical device that allows you to sightly examine the intestines at a distance of up to 25 cm from the anus. Usually, with the help of sigmoidoscopy, most neoplasms are found;
colonoscopy: An endoscopic technique that is used to examine the walls of the entire large intestine.

When performing a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy and detecting a neoplasm, a biopsy specimen is taken (an area of pathological tissue) and sent to the laboratory to study the histological and cytological structure. This is necessary to assess the degree of cell differentiation, exclude or confirm the presence of signs of malignancy, and select the optimal tactics for further patient management.

Additional examination methods

For diagnostics, an x-ray method of investigation - irrigoscopy, can be used, mainly to detect large neoplasms in the upper sections of the large intestine. The method consists in the retrograde introduction of a contrast agent into the intestinal cavity with further X-ray images.

MRI and CT (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) also allow you to identify and take pictures of neoplasms in the intestinal wall. In the absence of a clear clinical picture, a fecal occult blood test may be prescribed.

Treatment of polyps in the anus

Treatment is only surgical. Removal can be done in different ways. The choice is determined by the location, size and number of formations. Small polyps can be cauterized with an electrocoagulator. Neoplasms on a pedicle or with a size of 5 mm or more are removed with mandatory subsequent histological examination (to exclude the presence of a true adenoma).

Surgical removal is the only effective treatment.

After anesthesia, the anal canal is treated, no special anal sphincter divulsion is required. The rectal speculum is inserted into the anal canal. The top of the outgrowth is captured with the Alice clamp and is somewhat pulled outwards. Within healthy tissue, the polyp is excised with an electric knife or scalpel. The patient is discharged from the hospital after the first independent chair.

With diffuse familial polyposis, due to the high risk of malignancy, the entire affected area of the intestine can be removed. The operation is completed by connecting the rest of the intestine to the anus. If a malignant transformation is detected, further treatment is decided in conjunction with an oncologist.

Forecast and prevention

Timely diagnosis and therapy in most cases leads to a complete recovery, and also reduces the risk of developing rectal cancer.

There is no specific prophylaxis, therefore, to reduce the risk of developing pathology, proper nutrition, an active lifestyle, timely diagnosis and correct treatment of diseases of the digestive system are recommended.