Cancer Articles (Dr. S.N White)

What is a sigmoidoscope? This is an instrument which enables the doctor to view about 12 inches of the intestinal tract through the rectum. This is the area where polyps and cancers are most usually found. Small polyps can be removed with this instrument in the doctor's office with general or local anesthetics. The sigmoidoscope also allows a small portion of tissue to be extracted from the wall of the colon for laboratory testing. The procedure using the sigmoidoscope is called a sigmoidoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy and should be included by your doctor as part of your annual physical exam if you are over 40 years of age, or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer . What causes tumors to form in the colon?  The causes are unknown, but it is suspected that heredity as well as diet may play a role in some cancers of the colon. Conditions such as polyps, ulcerative colitis, and colitis also may be causes. Periodic checkups with a rectal examination make it possib...

Hemorrhoids Hemorrhoids are varicose veins of the anus. The lump at the external opening is a distended vein. The cause of hemorrhoids has not been truly established, but there are a number of associated considerations. They are probably related to the upright posture; four legged animals do not get this disease, although it is seen in baboons. Hemorrhoids often appear temporarily with the increased intra abdominal pressure of pregnancy and in some very constipated individuals who strain at stool. Yet many individuals in these categories don't get them. There is definitely a familial inherited predisposition to them, as there is in varicose veins of the legs. The patient usually comes in aware of protrusion and has often made his own correct diagnosis. Where the patient's judgment is wrong and he waited a long time for spontaneous recovery, the delay can be of consequence. Not all lumps about the anus are hemorrhoids, and hemorrhoids are not the only cause of bright red...