Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum that can be painful. However, they are not generally dangerous. Polyps, on the other hand, are growths or masses in the lining of the rectum or colon. While polyps themselves don't cause any symptoms, there's a risk that they may turn into colon cancer.
If you have a hemorrhoid, you may feel a tender lump on the edge of your anus. You may also see blood in the toilet or on toilet paper after a bowel movement. You may feel pain or itchiness in that area.
So how can you go about understanding the differences between the two conditions? Hemorrhoids often manifest in the form of hard, sore lumps whereas colon cancer symptoms may include diarrhea, constipation, or weight loss.
Most people with polyps won't be aware of them as they produce no symptoms and are often discovered by accident. However, some larger polyps can cause: a small amount of rectal bleeding (blood in your stool) mucus to be produced when you open your bowels.
You may be able to feel a nasal polyp with your finger if it's close to your nostril, but it's generally not a good idea to put your finger up your nose. (If you must, make sure you wash your hands before and after.)
Malignant polyps look friable and irregular and feel hard. Sessile malignant polyps need to be treated by formal resection.
Screening methods include: Colonoscopy, in which a small tube with a light and camera is inserted into your rectum to look at your colon. If polyps are found, your health care provider may remove them immediately or take tissue samples to send to the lab for analysis.
Aging — Polyps and colorectal cancers are uncommon before age 40. Ninety percent of cases occur after age 50, with males somewhat more likely to develop polyps than females; therefore, colon cancer screening is usually recommended starting at age 50 for both sexes.
While hemorrhoids are not usually a precursor to cancer – and are far more common – these symptoms should still be promptly brought to the attention of a physician, who can pinpoint the cause and provide an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, if necessary.
Similar Symptoms, Different Diagnosis
Hemorrhoids tend to flare and then go away, but if the bleeding is constant and progressive or a combination of both pain and bleeding, it could be something more.
An external hemorrhoid is a soft cushion of skin-covered vascular tissue that lives just outside the anal opening. Severe straining and strenuous exercise can cause these tiny vessels to rupture, which is similar to a blood blister.
They can be painful or itchy and may bleed. Hemorrhoids can be external or internal. External hemorrhoids form under the skin around the anus and can easily be felt with your fingers. Internal hemorrhoids form in the lining of the anus or lower rectum, and you can't feel them unless they form outside the anal opening.
For most patients, hemorrhoids last anywhere from a few days to many weeks. Painful hemorrhoid symptoms will usually subside sooner if you are careful, follow best practices (outlined below), and implement a few at-home remedies (keep reading!).
Hemorrhoids and colon or anal cancer can cause similar symptoms, such as rectal bleeding or lumps in the anus. A doctor can distinguish between them through tests, such as a physical exam, a colonoscopy, a stool test, and a biopsy.
What Causes Them? While uncommon in 20 year olds, more than 40% of persons over 50 have precancerous polyps in the colon. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, and inadequate exercise are risk factors for polyps, but many people with none of these risk factors have precancerous polyps in the colon.
Colon polyps are uncommon in people in their 20s, according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), but more than 40% of people in their 50s have precancerous colon polyps. In fact, the ASGE says that being over the age of 50 is the biggest risk factor for developing colon polyps.
Colorectal cancer under the age of 30 is a rare entity, especially when there is no family history or a pre-existing genetic predisposition, such as FAP or Lynch syndrome. Colonic polyps are also very uncommon at such a young age.
Don't worry. Most polyps aren't cancer. But some types of colon polyps do increase your risk of developing colonrectal cancer. So, it's important to be informed.
Polyp Growth Rates
Cancerous polyps tend to grow slowly. It is estimated that the polyp dwell time, the time needed for a small adenoma to transform into a cancer, may be on average 10 years (17). Evidence from the heyday of barium enema examinations indicates that most polyps do not grow or grow very slowly (18).
Polyps are growths of the uterine lining; fibroids are growths of muscle tissue. Polyps are typically smaller than fibroids and often go away without treatment. Fibroids can shrink after menopause but do not go away. Polyps can lead to cancer and subfertility.
There are no home remedies proven to entirely get rid of nasal polyps naturally but natural remedies may be used to improve symptoms and reduce discomfort caused by nasal polyps, such as: Use a humidifier or inhale steam. Bromelain supplementation.
Pain. Large polyps can obstruct the bowel and cause abdominal pain or cramping. Bleeding. Small tears in your anus or hemorrhoids can lead to blood after a bowel movement.
Colon and rectal polyps occur in about 25 percent of men and women ages 45 and older. Not all polyps will turn into cancer, and it may take many years for a polyp to become cancerous. Anyone can develop colon and rectal polyps, but people with the following risk factors are more likely to do so: Age 45 years and older.