What Could a Lump Inside the Anus Indicate, and How Is It Typically Treated?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

A lump inside the anus can be due to common issues like hemorrhoids, especially if a clot has formed, or less commonly, other causes such as an abscess or even a tumor. It is important to have it checked by a doctor if it is painful, persistent, or changing

Explanation

There are several reasons you might find a lump inside the anus. One usual cause is a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels, and when a clot forms in one, it can feel like a hard lump and cause significant discomfort. Many times, these can be managed with simple care like warm sitz baths, over-the-counter pain medicine, and adjusting your diet to include more fiber. However, sometimes a lump could also indicate a perianal abscess, which is an infection that may need drainage by a doctor, or it may rarely be linked to a malignancy, which is a type of cancer. If you notice that the lump is very painful, it grows in size, or if you experience other symptoms—like bleeding or changes in bowel habits—it is important to see a doctor. A healthcare provider can examine the lump to determine its exact cause. Based on what they find, treatment could range from conservative management, such as home care for hemorrhoids, to surgical procedures if more serious conditions are discovered.

(References)

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Boaz E, Freund MR, Harbi A, Dagan A, Gilshtein H, Reissman P, Yellinek S. Anorectal Malignancies Presenting as a Perianal Abscess or Fistula. Am Surg. 2023 Jun;89(6):2572-2576. doi: 10.1177/00031348221101481. Epub 2022 May 27. PMID: 35621130.
Bertagni A, Vagliasindi A, Ascari Raccagni A, Valmori L, Verdecchia GM. Perianal Bowen's disease: a case report and review of the literature [Perianal Bowen's disease: a case report and review of the literature]. Tumori. 2003 Jul-Aug;89(4 Suppl):16-8. Italian. PMID: 12903534.
Bardac OD, Baciu AB, Bogdan-Duică IS. Anal Metastasis from Lung Cancer: Report of a Case and Systematic Review of the Literature. Chirurgia (Bucur). 2020 Sept-Oct;115(5):681-689. doi: 10.21614/chirurgia.115.5.681. PMID: 33138907.

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