As a leading provider of colorectal surgery in the South Island, we are committed to creating an environment that prioritises patient wellbeing, safety, and comfort.
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At Christchurch Colorectal, we’ve made it a focus to make sure every patient has the best care and outcomes.
Our rooms are light and airy, and we have made sure that when you arrive, you are treated as our guest. Colorectal Surgery has changed and Christchurch Colorectal is leading the way.
We are the South Island’s leading Colorectal Centre and can offer treatments for the following:
Most bowel cancers start as benign innocent growths – called polyps – on the wall of the bowel. Polyps are like small spots or cherries on stalks and most do not produce symptoms. Polyps are common as we get older and most polyps are not pre-cancerous. One type of polyp called an adenoma can become cancerous (malignant). If left undetected the cancer cells will multiply to form a tumour in the bowel.
If untreated, the tumour can grow into the wall of the bowel or back passage. Once cancer cells are in the wall, they can travel into the bloodstream or lymph nodes; from here the cancer cells can travel to other parts of the body. For bowel cancer, the most common places for bowel cancer cells to spread to are the liver and the lungs. The process of spread is called metastasis.
The earlier bowel cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat. 75% of bowel cancer is curable if caught early. This is why it is so important to know the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) describes a group of disorders in which the intestines become inflamed. It has often been thought of as an autoimmune disease, but research suggests that the chronic inflammation may not be due to the immune system attacking the body itself. Instead, it is a result of the immune system attacking a harmless virus, bacteria, or food in the gut, causing inflammation that leads to bowel injury.
Two major types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon or large intestine. Crohn’s disease, on the other hand, can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Most commonly, though, it affects the last part of the small intestine or the colon or both.
If you have an IBD, you know it usually runs a waxing and waning course. When there is severe inflammation, the disease is considered active and the person experiences a flare-up of symptoms. When there is less or no inflammation, the person usually is without symptoms and the disease is said to be in remission.
Find Out More About IBD: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.nz/what+is+inflammatory+bowel+disease
What are haemorrhoids? Haemorrhoids are often described as “varicose veins” of the anal canal. In fact they consist of various swollen blood vessels covered by the lining of the anal canal. Most haemorrhoids commence as internal haemorrhoids and cannot be seen but as a haemorrhoid enlarges it bulges into the anal canal and eventually it may protrude through the opening of the anus (prolapse). This can sometimes cause an anal skin tag by stretching the skin.
What causes haemorrhoids? Internal haemorrhoids are due to a weakening of the supportive connective tissues within the anal canal allowing the lower rectal lining to bulge. Contributing factors cause veins within the haemorrhoids to enlarge. Contributing factors might include:
1) Ageing 2) Chronic constipation or diarrhoea 3) Pregnancy 4) Faulty bowel habit 5) Straining at bowel action 6) Long periods on the toilet
What are the symptoms? 1) Bleeding: This is the most common symptom of haemorrhoids, usually seen on the toilet paper. Often the blood may drip or spray into the toilet bowl. It is unwise to assume that bleeding is always due to haemorrhoids without appropriate investigation.
2) Lumps: External lumps from haemorrhoids (prolapse) may occur during a bowel action or at other times. Usually this is reducible. Acute prolapse is less common, painful and requires a surgical opinion.
3) Discomfort and Pain: Moderate discomfort is common but severe pain may indicate a complication of the haemorrhoids (e.g. perianal thrombosis, acute prolapse) or the presence of an anal fissure (split).
4) Itch: This common symptom is due to mucous discharge.
Find Out More About Haemorrhiods: https://crohnsandcolitis.org.nz/what+is+inflammatory+bowel+disease
Types of Rectal Bleeding Rectal bleeding can be either visible (overt) or hidden (occult).
1) Visible Bleeding: This type of bleeding can present as fresh, bright red blood—similar to what we see from a cut or graze. It may appear separately from the stool, on toilet paper after wiping, or even drip from the anus. In some cases, it can splatter into the toilet bowl, which can be alarming. Blood can also be darker—ranging from deep purple to black—when it originates from higher up in the digestive tract, sometimes appearing as a bowel movement consisting mostly of blood. 2) Occult Bleeding: This is not visible to the naked eye, as the blood is mixed within the stool. Occult bleeding can only be detected through laboratory testing of a stool sample. Causes of Rectal Bleeding Rectal bleeding is always a symptom of an underlying issue—whether minor or serious. While most causes are not life-threatening, medical evaluation is necessary to determine the source.
Some common causes include: 1) Haemorrhoids (Piles): Swollen veins in the rectal area. 2) Anal Fissures: Small tears or cracks in the anal skin. Colitis & Proctitis: Inflammation of the colon or rectum. 3) Diverticular Disease: Small pouches in the bowel wall. 4) Diverticulitis: Inflammation of these pouches. Angiodysplasia: Abnormal blood vessels in the bowel lining. 5) Ulcers: Sores in the digestive tract lining. Gastritis, Duodenitis & Oesophagitis: Inflammation of the stomach, duodenum, or oesophagus. Polyps: Non-cancerous growths that may become cancerous over time. 6) Cancer: Malignant growths that can spread if left untreated.
Many of these conditions cause additional symptoms beyond bleeding. During a consultation, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and conduct an examination to help identify the cause.
When to Seek Medical Attention It is important to inform your doctor about rectal bleeding as soon as possible. The cause of bleeding should never be assumed without proper medical assessment, including a detailed history and physical examination. Even experienced healthcare professionals cannot determine the exact cause without further investigation.
Delaying medical attention can be risky, as some conditions—such as bowel cancer—can progress silently. Screening programs have shown that some individuals with bowel cancer were completely unaware of their condition. To ensure early detection and appropriate treatment, consult your doctor without unnecessary delay.
