Will rectal cancer cause pain in the anus?

In advanced stages of colorectal cancer, you may experience pain in the anus, especially if the cancer has spread or is pressing on surrounding tissue. Specific causes of pain include enlarged tumors, inflammation, infection, or discomfort caused by constipation. It is recommended to see a doctor early to determine the cause.

1 Possible cause:

① Tumor compresses surrounding tissues: The proliferation of rectal cancer tumors may compress nearby nerve endings, causing discomfort or pain inside the anus, especially in the late stages of cancer. Patients will feel an increased foreign body sensation in the anus, even accompanied by burning or dull pain.

② Tumor ulceration or local infection: The tumor may be accompanied by surface ulceration or secondary infection, triggering a local inflammatory response, which can also cause pain or tingling, and may be accompanied by foul-smelling secretions.

③ Discomfort caused by changes in bowel habits: Rectal cancer usually causes constipation, difficulty in defecation or bloody stools. In this case, repeated constipation and friction of hard stools will increase the sensitivity of the rectum and anus, causing pain.

④ Cancer metastasizes to bones or nerves: In more serious cases, rectal cancer may spread to adjacent organs or bone tissue, especially collapsible lesions may radiate to the nerves near the anus and cause pain.

2:

① Seek medical attention promptly: If you suspect rectal cancer or have persistent anal pain, it is recommended that you seek medical attention immediately and have a clear diagnosis through colonoscopy, biopsy or imaging examination. Early detection can significantly increase the cure rate.

②Drug treatment: For early-stage patients, certain chemotherapy drugs such as oxaliplatin and capecitabine may help inhibit tumor growth and relieve symptoms. If the pain is obvious, analgesics such as acetaminophen or opioids can be used to relieve the pain.

③Surgical treatment: Eligible patients may need radical surgery through low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection to fundamentally eliminate the source of pain.

④ Improve bowel movement: For constipation or difficulty in defecation caused by cancer, symptoms can be improved by taking laxatives such as lactulose or eating a high-fiber diet such as oats, brown rice, and green leafy vegetables. Moderate exercise every day can also help relieve weakened intestinal motility.

Avoid delaying. Pain inside the anus may be one of the important signs of rectal cancer. If patients have related symptoms, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible and receive scientific evaluation and treatment. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are the key to improving survival rates and reducing pain.