Dr. Elizabeth McConnell - Board Certified Colorectal Surgeon - Text-only Anal Mass, Rectal Mass, Pilonidal, Cyst, Colon Cancer

McConnell Colorectal Center

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Colonoscopy, Surgical Procedures, Colorectal Diseases, and Anal Diseases

Anal Mass

Anal cancer is diagnosed through medical history and a physical exam. The physical exam to search for anal cancer will focus on areas of discomfort in the anus, the presence of a mass (a lump) in the anus, enlarged lymph nodes, any weakness of the anal sphincter, and loss of sensation around the anus.

Rectal Mass

Megarectum is a large filled rectum due to underlying nerve supply abnormalities after rectum disimpaction. Occasionally the term megarectum is used for a large rectal mass on rectal examination. Patients over 50 years old should be seen by a physician if they have rectal bleeding, bowel habit changes, palpable abdominal or rectal mass. A physician should examine the rectal area for changes of the rectum. A digital examination with the physician inserting a finger into the rectum should be performed to find out if there is an impaction of stool, in order to assess muscle tone and exclude a rectal mass.

Pilonidal Cyst

A pilonidal cyst is a cyst at the bottom of the tailbone which may become infected and filled with pus. Once a polonidal cyst is infected, it is called a pilonidal abscess. A Pilonidal abscess appears as a large pimple located below the tailbone. Developing a polonidal cyst is more common for men than women and most likely happens in young people.

Once a pilonidal cyst develops, the initial redness, swelling, and pain may be minimal. One may sit in a warm tub to decrease the pain. Sitting in a warm tub may also decrease the chance that the cyst will require incision and drainage.

A pilonidal cyst is an abscess (localized collection of pus) or a constant draining sinus located in the opening between the buttocks muscles. A polonidal cyst may have a deep cavity containing hair and may not bother you unless it is infected. It may be treated with antibiotics for infection. An out-patient surgery will remove the cyst.

Tailbone Pain or Drainage

Tailbone pain is called coccydynia or coccygodynia. Tailbone pain may be mild discomfort or acute pain. The level of pain may vary between people and with time. Typically a pattern of pain brought on or aggravated by sitting causes this condition.

Tailbone pain may also occur after one falls down, after delivering a child, or after repetitive strain or surgery. Sometimes the cause of tailbone pain is unknown. Tailbone pain may disappear by itself or it may disappear with treatment. Sometimes tailbone pain may last for years and worsen. Tailbone pain is five times more common in women than men. In most cases, tailbone pain is caused by an unstable coccyx. An unstable coccyx causes chronic inflammation.

Tailbone pain can be cured eventually in most cases if the proper treatment is received.

Colorectal Cancer

Colon cancer is cancer of the colon which is the lower part of the digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 8 to 10 inches of the colon. Together, colon and rectal cancer are usually referred to as colorectal cancers. This type of cancer make up the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer which develops in the colon or rectum. The colon and rectum are part of the digestive system.

After food is digested, it travels through the esophagus to the stomach. The food at the stomach level is broken down in part and sent to the small intestine, the small bowel. The small intestine breaks down the food and absorbs most of the nutrients. The small bowel joins the colon in the lower abdomen. The large bowel (colon) absorbs water and nutrients from the food and is a storage place for waste. The waste left behind is feces which travels into the rectum. From the rectum, the waste leaves the body through the anus.