Hemorrhoids bleeding and rectal cancer bleeding

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on April 15, 2025
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Hemorrhoids or colorectal cancer can both cause local bleeding in the anal area, but there are clear differences between hemorrhoidal bleeding and colorectal cancer bleeding in clinical practice. Hemorrhoidal bleeding is mostly bright red and does not mix with the stool; it is separate bleeding. It may manifest as blood on the finger, or as dripping or spurting blood. Colorectal cancer bleeding, on the other hand, is generally dark red and mixes with the stool, sometimes accompanied by pus and blood. Bleeding from colorectal cancer mainly occurs in the late stages of the disease, usually caused by local mucosal ulceration or tumor rupture. During hemorrhoidal bleeding, an anal scope examination can reveal clear bleeding points above and below the dentate line, while bleeding from colorectal cancer requires examination with an electronic colonoscope to observe the local tumor area, which may show mucosal damage or ulcers.

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What tests are used to check for rectal cancer?

When clinical symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, changes in bowel habits, bloody stools, and abdominal pain occur, we should be vigilant about the possibility of rectal cancer. The examination for rectal cancer can start with a digital rectal exam, especially for low-lying rectal cancer, which is closer to the anus; these tumors can be detected through this method. Then, a colonoscopy should be performed to take a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis, which is the gold standard for confirmation. Additionally, blood tests for tumor markers can be conducted. Generally, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA199 levels may be elevated, but this is not absolute as their specificity and sensitivity are not very high. An enhanced CT scan of the abdomen can also be done. In such scans, we can see thickening of the intestinal wall where the tumor is located, and the enhancement can show the intensified thickening of the intestinal wall. Combining all these methods can confirm the diagnosis of rectal cancer.

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Could having blood in the stool for five years be rectal cancer?

If there has been blood in the stool for five years, whether it's colorectal cancer or not, this can only be confirmed through a colonoscopy. Furthermore, pathological tissue analysis and biopsy are necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. Pathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosing cancer. If cancerous changes are present, surgical treatment should be undertaken promptly to prevent the spread of cancer cells. If there are no malignant changes, symptomatic treatment measures can be adopted. Conditions such as chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, or hemorrhoids could also cause blood in the stool.

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Can rectal cancer be detected by ultrasound B?

Can rectal ultrasound detect it? When we perform an abdominal ultrasound for the digestive system, we might see a potential mass in the abdomen, but its specific nature cannot be clearly identified. Therefore, the definitive diagnosis of rectal cancer still relies on biopsy and pathological examination. Thus, it is recommended to go to the hospital and consult a professional oncologist for tests, such as undergoing an endoscopic biopsy or having a surgical procedure to remove and then analyze the pathology to confirm whether it is rectal cancer or not.

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The difference between rectal cancer and colon cancer lies in the location of the cancer. Rectal cancer occurs in the rectum, which is the final part of the large intestine, while colon cancer occurs in other parts of the colon.

Rectal cancer and colon cancer are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer, named according to the different locations where the tumors occur. Rectal cancer occurs in the rectum. Colon cancer includes tumors in the transverse colon, descending colon, ascending colon, and sigmoid colon, and tumors in these areas are called colon cancer. Both are known as colorectal cancer, and they exhibit similar clinical manifestations, including rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhea, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and changes in stool shape, such as narrowing of the stool. They are merely named differently based on the location of the tumors and are collectively referred to as colorectal cancer.

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Is a severely blocked anus a symptom of rectal cancer?

Is anal blockage a manifestation of rectal cancer? The answer could be yes, but it could also be due to hemorrhoids, or other diseases. The main common symptoms of rectal cancer include changes in bowel habits and the characteristics of the stool. There may be frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, or constipation, or alternating constipation and diarrhea, a sensation of anal heaviness, or associated with vague abdominal pain. Symptoms of abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, and abdominal masses might also appear. When the tumor grows to a certain extent, an abdominal mass can be palpated, which might cause some compressive symptoms, possibly leading to anal blockage as one of the symptoms.