Glossary

Anal abscesses are collections of pus that occur around the anus. They have different names including perianal abscess, ischioanal abscess and ischirectal abscess. These are extremely common. They can be very painful. Anal abscesses rarely respond to antibiotics and require incision (cut) and drainage of the pus under general anaesthetic (put to sleep).

Anal cancer is a rare skin cancer that affects the anus. Most anal cancers can be treated without the need for radical surgery.

This is a split in the lining of the anus, which results in intense pain on defecation and bright red rectal bleeding.

A major surgical operation to remove the rectum, usually performed for rectal cancer.

An x-ray investigation whereby, having cleared the bowel out with a strong laxative, barium is squirted through the anus, around the bowel and x-rays are taken. This test is very useful for diagnosing structural diseases of the large bowel.

This is a very powerful drug, which relaxes muscles. As well as being used for cosmetic purposes, it is also used to relax the anal sphincter for patients who have anal fissures.

Bowel cancer affects about 1 in 30 patients. If it is caught early it can be treated and cured by surgery. Cancer occurs when the cells that line the colon become damaged and begin to divide in an uncontrolled way. This may lead to the formation of a benign growth and eventually a cancer.

The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme offers screening every two years to all men and women aged 60 to74. Those over 74 can request a screening kit from the programme. The Screening Programme changes from time to time, as more research is undertaken, leading to tests being refined and changes to the types of tests and the ages at which those tests should be undertaken. The aim is to pick up any cancer in its very earliest stages.

This is an operation where part of the large bowel (colon) is removed.

An inflammation of the large bowel characterised by diarrhoea and the passing of dark blood. There are many causes of colitis; most of them can be treated by medication and only rarely is surgery indicated.

This is a very sensitive test for looking at the lining of the large bowel. Prior to the test the bowel needs to be purged by a strong laxative and then a camera is passed from the anus through the whole of the large bowel to where it joins the small bowel. This test can be uncomfortable and is usually performed using a relaxing drug.

The investigation, diagnosis and treatment of all aspects of colorectal conditions, including problems with your colon, bowel, rectum and appendix.

See Bowel cancer

This is a surgical operation whereby a piece of large bowel is brought onto the tummy wall. Faeces (bowel motion) pass through the abdominal (tummy) wall where it is collected into a bag (pouch).

This is a form of inflammatory bowel disease, which can affect the whole of the bowel from mouth to anus. It can usually be controlled by medication but occasionally surgery is necessary, if the inflammation becomes very severe.

This is a specialised type of CT, which enables diseases of the large bowel to be identified. It requires bowel preparation but is less invasive than a barium enema or a colonoscopy.

This is a highly sophisticated type of x ray that provides a three-dimension reconstruction of your internal organs.

This is the loss of loose/liquid stool on a frequent basis; often every few hours. It can be accompanied by colicky abdominal pain.

This affects the large bowel, most often the sigmoid colon. Characterised by ‘pockets’ in the wall of the bowel, which can give a variety of symptoms such as pain, diarrhoea and constipation. It is common as one gets older and rarely requires surgery.

This is the uncontrollable loss of wind, liquid or solid stool from the back passage.

This is a telescope test that inspects the left hand side of your bowel. Bowel preparation is required to clear faeces (bowel motion) prior to the test. The telescope is flexible and requires the surgeon to blow some air into the back passage to enable good views of the lining of the bowel.

Also known as piles, these are fleshy skin cushions around the anus, which are responsible for anal soreness, bright red rectal bleeding and mucus discharge.

Conditions that cause inflammation of the intestines, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, are known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This shouldn’t be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is a different condition and requires different non-surgical treatment. However, some people with IBD can also have IBS.

This is a surgical operation whereby a piece of small bowel is brought onto the tummy wall. Bowel contents pass through the abdominal (tummy) wall where it is collected into a bag (pouch)

This is a clear, jelly like substance that is often lost from the anus. It is associated with large haemorrhoids and/or constipation.

This is a small blood clot, which occurs under the skin near the anal verge. It is often associated with haemorrhoids and constipation. It can be extremely painful and may require surgical drainage.

See Haemorrhoids.

These are benign growths of the large bowel, which are extremely common. We believe that about 1 in 10 polyps, greater than 1cm, if left long enough within the bowel, will turn into cancer.

This is inflammation of the rectum and can be due to many causes. It often responds to the use of suppositories.

This is a procedure where a 6cm tube is inserted into your anus to allow inspection of your anal canal. It is used for diagnosing anal problems such as fissures or haemorrhoids.

The causes for itchy bottom are many, majority of which will settle. Piles, prolapse of the rectum, chronic diarrhoea and infections are amongst some of the reasons. It is important to report the symptom to your doctor if it is not resolving quickly as rarely it could be an early sign of cancer around the back passage and anal canal.

This is a condition whereby the rectum protrudes outside the anus, especially when opening one’s bowels.

This is a test, often performed at the initial out-patient consultation. It involves the passing of a long tube through the back passage to allow the doctor to look at the lining of your rectum. A small amount of air is blown in at the time to allow the rectum to distend.

This is a simple out patient treatment for larger internal piles. Occasionally, it can cause discomfort around the back passage. This normally disappears within 48 hours. It can result in some bright red rectal bleeding when the bands drop off within 10 days after the procedure.

TEM is a technique to remove polyps and small rectal cancers by local excision (removal). This avoids the need for a radical excision (anterior resection) and possibly the need for a stoma.