A Lump can develop in or near the entrance of the rectum. Women can also experience a lump between vagina and rectum. Such a lump can be painful, painless, hard, soft and so on, depending on what is causing it.

Hemorrhoids are the common causes of lumps in the rectum. Infections such as anal warts can also grow in this region. It can also be that the lump is resulting from an abscess or a tumor. Due to its location, a lump inside rectum should best be checked by a doctor.

Small or painful lump inside rectum

A small or painful lump inside rectum can be caused by;

Internal hemorrhoids

These are swollen veins that form inside the rectum near anus. You cannot see or feel these lumps due to their location. Most people realize they have them when they see blood in stool. Hemorrhoids can also develop around the anus. These are known as external hemorrhoids. They usually bleed or itch. Generally, hemorrhoids are not harmful but can be quite discomforting.

Anal warts

Anal warts usually grow around the anus but can also appear in lower rectum. They are small, soft, fleshy, painless growths that may resemble a cauliflower. Anal warts are caused by HPV, a sexually transmitted virus. Treatment is not always necessary but is available, especially for infected, painful or itchy anal warts. In fact, they can also be treated with home remedies and OTC medications.

Rectal prolapse

This is a disorder that causes the rectum to protrude through the anal opening. Sometimes, the rectal walls can actually be seen outside the body. This can be quite disturbing but is not life-threatening.

Perirectal or perianal abscess

Perianal abscess is collection of pus around the anus. Perirectal abscess occurs much deeper near the rectum. Both are painful conditions that result from bacterial infections.

Pilonidal cyst

This is a cystic lump that develops in the tailbone area. When infected, swelling can spread to the rectum.

There are other rare or misdiagnosed causes. For example, a painful lump in scrotum after vasectomy can be taken to have something to do with the rectum. An injury in the pelvis area can also feel like a lump in the rectal area.

Hard lump in rectum; colorectal cancer

The rectum is a part of the colon or large intestines. If Cancer develops in these areas, it is referred to as colorectal cancer. This type of cancer is one of the most common. In fact, it is the second leading type of cancer in women and the third in men.

Causes like most types of cancer, colorectal cancer starts when cells go out of control and turn malignant. Healthy colon or rectum cells can turn malignant or be invaded by malignant cells from elsewhere in the body.

Symptoms

Early stage colorectal cancer is usually without symptoms. Later, the following symptoms may occur;

• Diarrhea
• Constipation/bloating
• Changed bowel movements
• blood (red or black) and mucus in stool
• Pain in lower abdomen
• Pain during bowel movements
• Anemia
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• General tiredness

Diagnosis and treatment

Symptoms such as anemia and blood in stool will have your doctor use a colonoscope. This instrument will show the inside of your colon. If a suspicious lump is present, biopsy will be taken to confirm diagnosis.

Treatment for colorectal cancer is quite sophisticated. Sometimes, more than one treatment option may be used. Surgery is most effective. It involves getting rid of the lump entirely. Chemotherapy can also be used. It involves taking drugs which kill fast reproducing cells, a common characteristic of cancer cells. It is for this reason that people have all their hair destroyed after chemo. Hair producing cells are also fast dividing. The main advantage of chemo is that it also kills other cancer tumors that may not have been discovered. You find that cancer keeps metastasizing in its later stages. For example, colorectal cancer can cause other masses such as a painful lump on roof of mouth, lung lumps or breast lumps. Other than the two treatment options, cancer cells can also be killed using X-rays.

Lump between vagina and rectum

Lump between vagina and rectum

A hernia-like bulge or lump between vagina and rectum is referred to as a rectocele. It can be caused by weakening of the tissue between the vagina and the rectum or of pelvic floor muscles. The latter may result in a similar bulge inside vagina.

It is not clear what causes rectocele. Risk factors include;

• Multiple births
• Age
• Complicated deliveries
• Gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic bloating and constipation

In most cases, this disorder is found during physical examinations. This is because it usually doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms. If present, symptoms may include difficulty passing stool, fecal smearing, discomfort when having sex and bleeding in the vagina.

See your doctor if such symptoms occur.

How to treat a lump inside rectum

Hemorrhoids and warts do not always require treatment. Treatment options are available however. Abscesses require medical treatment with antibiotics and pain medications. If not treated, they can spread and become fatal. Hard lump in rectum caused by cancer requires immediate medical attention. Disorders like rectocele mostly require management plans rather than medications.

It is okay to find out more about your health. However, only use online information for diagnosis of cases such as a lump on penis shaft after rough sex or for treatment of a minor lump on bone after bruise. These are not medical emergencies are rarely dangerous. If for any reason you doubt diagnosis, see your doctor. Also, get medical attention if a lump persists for more than 2 weeks.