COLORECTAL SURGERY BLOG

Part I of this series covered anal anatomy and anal intraepithelial neoplasia. Part II covered perianal cancers and their treatment. Part III will examine squamous cancers of the anal canal. Part IV will look at unusual cancers of the anal canal.

The anal canal and perianal region are subject to a diverse group of diseases. The anatomy of this region was covered in part I of this series and malignant precursors were discussed. Part II will examine perianal cancers. Part III will examine squamous cancers of the anal canal. Part IV will look at unusual cancers of the anal canal.

Anal neoplasms are a rare, diverse group of lesions. Each manifests a different behavior. With the recent publicity surrounding anal cancer, attention has focused on screening, early diagnosis and treatment.

Hemorrhoids occur when veins in the rectum or anus swell, causing pain. There are two types of hemorrhoids: external and internal. External hemorrhoids are most often associated with typical hemorrhoid symptoms. These symptoms include intense pain, anal itching, bleeding, lumps and bowel incontinence.

Patients with Crohn’s disease in Los Angeles and elsewhere can frequently improve their symptoms with a healthy eating plan. One of the first steps in establishing a successful plan is consulting with a nutritionist who has expertise with this disease. Although there is no known cure for this chronic inflammatory bowel disease, each person may have a set of trigger foods that can make the disease worse. Likewise, there are foods that might help alleviate the pain and problems.

Remaining in good health as we age requires us to pay attention to changes in our bodies and fitness as well as going to our physician for regular checkups. Beginning at age fifty it is recommended that both men and women have a colonoscopy performed every ten years.

Advanced techniques allow experienced surgeon’s to remove tumors from the colon or rectum without a major abdominal operation, and in some cases entirely without incisions. Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that provides your surgeon with access to issues within the mid to upper rectum, without requiring an

Newly available robotic techniques make it possible to perform minimally invasive surgery deep in the pelvis in order to remove rectal tumors, while theoretically protecting the nerves to this area. The fields of laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery are used together during this operation. Robotic surgical systems boast many advantages over traditional open operations, such

The anorectum is a specialized region of the gastrointestinal tract that performs sensory, storage and elimination functions. The lining is richly endowed with discriminatory nerve endings to allow the body to distinguish between flatus, liquid and solid waste. While sturdy, the surfaces are vulnerable to trauma and infections. With or without an anal or rectal

Internal hemorrhoids are typically located within the rectum so that a patient is usually unable to either touch or view them. With the onset of symptoms, patients become aware of the existence of the hemorrhoids.  Not uncommonly, symptomatic hemorrhoids cause bleeding, itching, discharge or a feeling of rectal fullness.  Internal hemorrhoids that enlarge and protrude