Saint Joseph's Digestive Disease Center: What We Treat

Anorectal Disease (Fistula, Hemorrhoids, Abscesses, Cancer)

Physicians and surgeons at Saint Joseph’s Hospital have extensive training and experience in the management of anorectal disease. Typical symptoms of anorectal disease include: bleeding, pain, discharge and itching.

Common conditions of anorectal disease include:

• Hemorrhoids:  A normal part of the anal anatomy and which help control bowel movement and gas.  When enlarged, hemorrhoids may cause discomfort or bleeding and need assessment.  Treatment may be dietary changes or use of local hemorrhoid treatments.  Larger hemorrhoids may require surgical intervention.
• Anal fissure:  Symptoms include severe pain and sometimes bleeding after passing a bowel movement.  Generally, medical treatments are prescribed.  For cases which do not respond to this, a minor surgical procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia.
• Pilonidal Disease:    Abscesses between the buttocks. Treatment is local, although a general anesthetic and subsequent wound care may be required.
• Anorectal sepsis and fistula:  Symptoms include severe pain and swelling caused by an abscess in the anal region.  Initial treatment usually involves insertion of a small plastic drain under local anesthesia, providing almost instantaneous symptom relief.  Some patients with an abscess will later develop a fistula, which requires further treatment.  A fistulas is an abnormal tract  connecting the anal canal or rectum to skin around the anus, may require more than one treatment and general anesthesia to heal completely.
• Sexually transmitted diseases:  Some patients with anal infections may develop pain and/or bleeding.  Treatment may be coordinated with an Infectious Disease Specialist.  Warts may be present in the anal region and are frequently treated under local anesthesia.
• Malignant tumors:  Symptoms include swelling or mass in the anal area Treatment regimes for such tumors  may involve chemotherapy or radiation prior to surgery, or   surgery alone. Each treatment plan is based on individual patient assessment.
• Other conditions:  Problems related to the skin around the anus.  Discomfort or itching in the anal area can be treated with dietary advice and other recommendations.