Features

• Rectal bleeding refers to the passage of blood through the anus, which is located slightly above the rectum. Although the blood presents itself through the anus, the actual source can be anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Rectal bleeding normally develops quickly and is most often related to abdominal disorders. Some of the most common causes of rectal bleeding include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, infections, colon polyps, diverticulosis, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer of the colon or rectum. All of these conditions can cause rectal bleeding in both males and females.
  
  

Considerations

• Causes of rectal bleeding that affect only males are related to prostate cancer and lifestyle. A commonly used treatment for prostate cancer, external beam radiation, often results in complications that cause rectal bleeding in males. Men who have been treated with prostate cancer with this radiation should be especially diligent in determining the origin of any rectal bleeding. The expectation that bleeding will occur from this treatment should not prevent testing for other possible conditions that could be responsible for the bleeding. Gay and bisexual men, especially those with weakened immune systems, are at greater risk for developing anal cancer, another cause of rectal bleeding. It should be noted, however, that anal cancer is not a frequent cause of rectal bleeding.
  
  

Identification

• Rectal bleeding can show up in several different ways. Bright red blood in or on the stool, maroon stools, black tarry stools, blood stains on the toilet tissue or blood in the toilet bowl are the most common signs of rectal bleeding. Pain and discomfort may or may not be associated with the bleeding, depending on its cause.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• It is important to determine the cause of any rectal bleeding because it can indicate a potentially serious condition. Most commonly used methods of detection include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, visceral angiograms, anoscopy, radionuclide, blood tests and physical examination with a review of the medical history,
  
  

Warning

• In rare instances, bright red rectal bleeding is a result of rapid and severe bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, such as from ulcers in the stomach or duodenum. Another rare cause is the leaking of blood into the gastrointestinal tract when a blood vessel bursts.