rectal cancer

[jfem4]

I'm 44 female. I've had rectal itching on and off X 1 year. Had some hemorrhoids since having children. Had a bout of rectal bleeding with pressure in 2006, had colonoscopy ( 2-2007), negative excpet for mild proctitis. Used Canasa supp, symptoms went away.( endoscopy that year, normal as well)
Saw GI 4 months ago, did rectal, felt that itching was hemorroids, continue with Proctosol HC cream which works. Not getting worse, pretty much staying the same, maybe a bit better.No pus, lesions, etc...
Last colonoscopy was Feb 2008, normal excpet for the chronic proctitis, not spreading, rectal mucosa with ulceration acute and chronic inflammation, no dysplasia
Last week saw bright red blood in stool, hadn't seen that in 2 years. No pressure,pain, constipation, stomach pain, weight loss, night sweats, lymph node enlarged. Not alot, just on the stool and mixed in with the stool when i wiped.
I'm waiting for GI to call back, but wondering if having the colonscopy 2 years ago is good. How long does it take for rectal/anal/colon cancer to grow? I understand it's a slow growing cancer, but should I be concerned that this could be cancer? I realize that you can't tell me for certain, and I am following up with  my GI doctor.
Just wondering if the likely hood is high for a cancer given that I had a normal colonoscopy 2 years ago?
Thank you

[swtest1]

Hi,

Dr. Enoch is right on the money. Although when we see blood on the stool, blood in the toilet and such we always think cancer. I know I did when my toilet bowl turned red during a bowel movement. I ran straight to the hospital and found out I had hemorrhoids. As the years past, I continued to see a GI for a colonoscopy, first every 3 years (approximately late 20's), then as I got older every 2 years (I believe I was in my mid thirties) and now with all the GI/hepatic issues I have (I am now 48),  Along the way, I developed anal fissures that bled and hurt so much (required surgery to correct the problem) and also developed ulcerative proctitis which is very painful internally and causes a good amount of bleeding when not in remission. There is medication to correct this. During all of my colonoscopies, polyps have been found and removed. This always upsets me because of the 'C' word but so far luckily I pathology reports on all of them have come back with a report that they are benign. I have to have a colonoscopy/endoscopy every 6 months now (unfortunately, I am overweight, had a fatty liver and am diabetic and had a liver biopsy 2 years ago to find out I had non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.

I hope that this helps you understand that more than likely you may not have cancer but rather a GI issue that needs treatment. Please remember that I am not a doctor but am sharing with you my experiences. Please make sure that you go to a gastroenterologist as soon as possible to calm your worries. It's the only way I keep my anxiety from getting more than I can handle.

Good luck to you and I wish you peace,
KT

[Enoch Choi, MD]

Rectal itching is very common and frustrating to legions of people.  It is commonly caused by hemorrhoids, infection, eczema or other allergic skin conditions.

Bleeding is commonly caused by hermorrhoids.  Colorectal/anal cancers typically grow slowly, a colonoscopy 2 years ago is reassruing.  It's worth asking your gastroenterologist.

Enoch Choi, MD