Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is also known as bowel cancer and is cancer that starts in the large bowel (colon) and back passage (rectum).

It is one of the commonest forms of cancer in the UK with around 42, 000 new cases each year.

Symptoms of bowel cancer can include bleeding from the back passage, a change in the bowel habit, a need to strain even after opening bowels and weight loss.

Bowel cancer UK has a useful website with symptoms to watch out for – please see a link here. It is important that symptoms are treated seriously and investigated early as early diagnosis and treatment is key.

Mr Loganathan is very experienced at diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer. He works at one of the highest volume colorectal cancer units in the UK and his results are amongst the best in the UK – For further information about his results please click here. He specialises in the very latest techniques to treat bowel cancer and is an expert at minimally invasive surgery for bowel cancer (laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery) which enables a rapid recovery with lower complications compared to traditional open surgery.

Rectal Bleeding

Rectal bleeding can take a number of different forms. It can be bright red or fresh in colour or a darker red and can be mixed in with the stool or separate. Most cases are caused by haemorrhoids or other conditions such as anal fissure however it is important that it is appropriately assessed and investigated further if needed. There are stool tests that can help to determine the seriousness of the rectal bleeding called faecal immunohistochemical test (FIT) or faecal calprotectin and these can be performed by your GP. Commonly, rectal bleeding needs further assessment with endoscopic investigations such as colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Change in Bowel Habit

A change in bowel habit can be common for a short period. It can take the form of an increased or decreased frequency of motions or different consistency such as more liquid or firmer stools. There are many different causes such as irritable bowel syndrome, new diet, diverticular disease and colorectal cancer.

When a change in bowel habit becomes more prolonged lasting more than a few weeks then it is important that further investigations are organised. This usually takes the form of stool testing, blood tests or endoscopic investigations which may include biopsies.

Anal Fistula

An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the back passage. It can cause severe pain on opening the bowels and also bright red bleeding.

Treatment is generally with topical muscle relaxant ointment such as diltiazem or GTN ointments which can be prescribed by your GP.

If treatment with cream does not work, surgical treatments such as injection of botox or lateral sphincterotomy are frequently effective.

Hernias

Hernias are a common condition and can occur at any age. A hernia is a weakness in the abdominal wall which can lead to a lump which can contain contents from the abdomen such as bowel. Hernias are more common in men than women and can be triggered by strenuous activities such as heavy lifting.

There a number of different types of hernias including groin hernias which are called inguinal or femoral, umbilical or belly button hernias, incisional hernias which are due to previous surgery and parastomal hernias which are hernias around a stoma.

The symptoms of hernias are usually a bulging or a lump and discomfort which can be a mild dragging sensation or more severe pain. Bowel can become trapped within a hernia causing it to lose its blood supply which is called strangulation or the bowel can become blocked called obstruction.

For this reason, it is important to have suspected hernias assessed and commonly hernias will need a surgical repair.

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are commonly known as piles and are blood vessels at the anus (back passage) which can become swollen usually as a result of straining to open bowels. They are very common and can affect close to 50% of the population. Symptoms of haemorrhoids include pain and swelling around the back passage, bleeding commonly occurs which is usually bright red in colour and is usually separate from the stools. Other symptoms of haemorrhoids include itching and mucous discharge.

There a re a number of options to treat haemorrhoids including rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids, HALO/THD or excisonal haemorrhoidectomy. Mr Loganathan will offer specific tailored treatment for your haemorrhoids to achieve the best results.

Anal Fistulae

An anal fistula can develop after an anal abscess when it discharges or bursts. It can lead to a persistent pus or blood stained discharge from the bottom area which can cause skin irritation and discomfort. Treatment of a fistula usually requires surgery to cure it. Surgery can be either with a simple lay open procedure but sometimes more complex surgical procedures are required such as seton use or fistula plugs. Mr Loganathan is very experienced at assessment and treatment of fistulae and will be able to identify the best treatment options.

Anal Skin Tags

Anal skin tags are excess skin around the back passage, commonly as a result of haemorrhoids which have swelled up then resolved leaving the loose skin. Other conditions such as anal fissures can also result in skin tags. Skin tags are not a serious or worrying condition but can be unsightly and uncomfortable and can make it difficult to get clean after opening bowels.

Surgery for anal skin tags involves removing the skin tags using diathermy (a heated electrical scalpel) to remove them and this is usually done as a day case procedure.