Colon & Rectal Surgery

Anorectal abscesses occur when one or more internal anal glands become clogged. These masses are painful and can become infected easily due to bacteria or feces. Common symptoms include pain, redness or swelling around the anus and patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, cancer, trauma or radiation can have an increased risk of developing anal abscesses.

Anal cancer is an uncommon disease of the anal tissue that begins in the anal canal and is most often linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Symptoms can include bleeding or lumps at or near the anus or rectum.

An anal fissure is a small tear in the thin lining of the anus. Common causes of anal fissures include straining, constipation or passing large, hard stools during a bowel movement. Anal fissures can cause pain and bleeding with a bowel movement and most get better with simple treatments that include soaking in a warm bath and an increase in fiber. More serious anal fissures that last more than 6 weeks are considered chronic and can require surgery.

Anorectal abnormalities or disorders refer to conditions of the anus and/or rectum and can be a source of worry and embarrassment as well as cause pain and discomfort. The most common conditions include hemorrhoids, anorectal abscesses, fissures and fistulas, anal warts and fecal incontinence.

A carcinoid tumor is a slow-growing tumor that can begin in the stomach, appendix, intestines, colon, rectum, or lungs. Symptoms including diarrhea and skin flushing don’t typically appear until the later stages of the disease and can often go undiagnosed.

Colon cancer is a disease of the colon or rectum that can begin as noncancerous growths or polyps. Removing these polyps can prevent cancer which is why regular screenings are so important and recommended for those at high risk or over the age of 45. Signs and symptoms of colon cancer will vary depending on the size and location, but often include diarrhea, a change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, constipation and abdominal pain.

Colon polyps are small clumps of cells that form in the lining of the colon or rectum. Colon polyps don’t typically cause symptoms, and most are harmless but can develop into cancer over time. Anyone of any age can develop colon polyps however those over the age of 50, are overweight or are a smoker are at a higher risk of developing polyps. Regular screenings are important and polyps can be removed to prevent the development of cancer.

Colonic dysmotility is a disorder that affects the intestinal muscles and prohibits gastric fluids, foods, digestive enzymes and other secretions from properly traveling through the GI tract. Dysmotility can occur in the esophagus, stomach and in the small and large intestines.

Crohn’s disease is an uncurable, debilitating, chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract. Crohn’s can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, anemia and fatigue and can be life-threatening. Those suffering from Crohn’s disease are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, so regular screenings are recommended.

An infection or inflammation in one or more small pouches of the digestive tract, diverticulitis is most often found in those over the age of 40 and can cause nausea, pain, fever and abdominal pain. More severe cases may require surgery and hospital care.

FAP is a rare, inherited cancer of the colon and rectum caused by a defect in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. While most inherit this disease from a parent, 25 percent of people can develop this genetic mutation without direct descent. FAP cause polyps to form in the colon and digestive tract, for some as early as their teens. If left untreated, polyps can become cancerous. For most suffering from FAP, surgery to remove the large intestine is necessary to prolong life and prevent cancer from developing and spreading to other parts of the body.

Fecal Incontinence is a lack of bowel control and can range from occasional leakage to a complete loss of control. Muscle or nerve damage, diarrhea or constipation are common causes of fecal incontinence.

An anal fistula is a small tunnel that starts from an opening inside the anal canal to an outside opening in the skin near the anus resulting from a previous or current anal abscess. More than half of those who suffer from anal abscesses will develop a fistula, however a fistula can develop independently from an abscess. Patients suffering from Crohn’s disease, cancer or are undergoing radiation are at a greater risk of developing anorectal abscesses, fistulas and infections.

Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions just at the anal verge and are very common, with three out of four adults having hemorrhoid issues in their lifetime. Hemorrhoids can be painful and can cause bleeding during a bowel movement, swelling, itching and irritation of the rectum. There are many successful options to help treat hemorrhoids, but in severe cases where home treatments are not successful, minimally invasive procedures and surgery are available.

Inflammatory bowel disease is the term used to describe the chronic inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract. IBD includes both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Common symptoms can include persistent diarrhea. Fatigue, rectal bleeding or bloody stools, weight loss and abdominal pain. The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but is the result of a weakened immune system, virus or bacterial infection or family history of IMD. Medications are common to help treat both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, but surgery may become necessary to remove damaged portions of the GI tract.

Ischemic Colitis is inflammation of the colon that occurs when blood flow to the colon is restricted. Prolonged restriction deprives the tissue of oxygen and causes the tissue to die.

Lynch Syndrome also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an inherited condition that causes a high genetic predisposition to certain types of cancer. Passed from parents to their children, families with Lynch syndrome are at a much higher risk of developing colon, endometrial, and other cancers and may experience:

• Colon and endometrial cancer before the age of 50

• More than one type of cancer diagnosis before the age of 50

• A higher risk of developing stomach, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, brain, gallbladder, bile duct and skin cancer

PFD occurs most often in women and is when the muscles or connective tissues of the pelvic floor are weak or injured prohibiting the bowels to function properly. The most common PFDs are urinary and fecal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Other risk factors include pregnancy, advanced age or being overweight.

Pilonidal Disease is a chronic skin infection that causes a cyst to form in the crease of the buttocks near the tailbone. These types of cysts can become easily infected causing pain, inflammation, fever and in severe cases drainage of pus or blood. Common treatment includes drainage, but often surgical removal is required.

Rectal cancer is a curable disease that begins in the tissue of the rectum. This type of cancer affects both men and women, however men are more likely to develop the disease. Common symptoms of rectal cancer can include constipation, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, and diarrhea, but often it can present with no symptoms at all. The exact cause of rectal cancer is unknown, however there are risk factors that increase your risk of developing this disease:

• Family history - if you have a family member that has been diagnosed with rectal cancer, your chance of developing this cancer almost doubles.

• Obesity

• Smoking

• Race and Gender - Black men are more likely to develop rectal cancer

• Eating red and processed meats

• Certain conditions or diseases - People who suffer from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are at an increased risk of developing rectal cancer.

Rectal prolapse is a condition that occurs when part of the rectum or large intestine extends outside of the anus. Most typically occurs in older women, rectal prolapse can occur at any age and can prohibit the ability to control the bowels causing leakage from the rectum. Therapies to help treat rectal prolapse include pelvic floor therapy, but most often surgery is required.

Rectovaginal Fistula (RVF) is an abnormal connection of tissue between the vagina and the rectum that causes bowel contents to pass through the vagina. RVF can be caused by complications from IBD or diverticulitis, vaginal tears from childbirth, cancer or radiation in the pelvic area or surgeries of the vagina, rectum, anus or perineum. Symptoms can include fecal incontinence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rectal or vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. Most who suffer from a rectovaginal fistula have repair surgery and fully recover with most reporting no symptoms after recovery.

Sclerosing Mesenteritis is very rare and occurs when the mesentery tissue that holds the small intestines in place becomes inflamed and begins to form scar tissue. This condition can cause severe abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, fever and diarrhea, but some experience no symptoms at all and may not require any form of treatment. In severe cases, scar tissue can prohibit the food from moving through the GI tract and will require surgery.

Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic, inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the innermost lining of the colon and rectum. Patients that have UC are at an increased risk of developing colon cancer. Symptoms can include rectal bleeding, bloody stools or diarrhea, abdominal cramps and pain. More severe cases of UC can cause life-threatening complications including severe dehydration, severe bleeding, holes in the colon, increased risk of blood clots, bone loss and inflammation of the skin, joints and eyes. Less severe cases of UC can be treated with medication or surgery to remove the entire colon and rectum.