Lump in the anus: 5 main causes (and what to do)

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There are several causes that can cause lumps, lumps or papules to appear in the anus. A very common cause is the presence of hemorrhoids, which are usually not serious and may or may not require specific treatment. However, there are also other causes like anal abscess or cancer which are much more serious and need immediate medical treatment.

The main symptoms that can arise along with a lump in the anus include itching, pain, discomfort when defecating and even bleeding, without being indicative of the severity of the problem. Therefore, it is important that whenever the presence of a lump or any other alteration in the anus is identified, a general practitioner or proctologist is consulted to identify the cause.

Treatment depends on the cause identified, however, in most cases, the doctor may recommend the use of ointments or pills, while in more severe cases, surgery is usually required.

1. Hemorrhoid

Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of a lump in the anus, because as they arise due to the dilation of a vein, it is common for a small soft "ball" to appear in the anal region. In these cases, other symptoms such as itching, pain when defecating and the presence of blood in the stool may also appear. See other hemorrhoid symptoms .

Generally, hemorrhoids are more common in people who have other cases in the family, who suffer from diarrhea or chronic constipation, who stand for a long time during the day, or who do heavy physical exertion frequently.

How to treat : in most cases, you should only eat a diet that facilitates the elimination of feces, such as eating foods with fiber and drinking 2 liters of water a day. However, taking sitz baths and avoiding using toilet paper are also good options for relieving discomfort. When the discomfort is very intense, the doctor may still prescribe the use of an anesthetic ointment or a corticosteroid for 5 to 7 days. Here are more tips on how to relieve discomfort:

2. Anal wart

Warts are small, pinkish or whitish nodules on the skin that can also appear in the anal region and that usually do not cause pain or discomfort, being caused by the infection of the HPV virus in the region. However, in some cases, anal warts can cause some itching at the site, as well as slight bleeding that can be seen on toilet paper or even cause the sensation of a foreign body in the anus.

Generally, this type of infection is more common in cases where anal sex is practiced without a condom, especially when there is more than one partner.

How to treat : it is always recommended to consult a proctologist to evaluate the lesions and start the most appropriate treatment, which can be done with cryotherapy, 25% podophyllin or immunotherapy, for example. Learn more about warts in the genital area and how they are treated .

3. Anal abscess

Although more rare, anal abscess can cause a lump to develop near the anus. This is because the abscess is an accumulation of pus that arises due to an infection in the region, which can be caused by a blocked gland or a sexually transmitted disease, for example.

Usually, in addition to the presence of a lump in the anus, the abscess can also cause symptoms such as intense pain, swelling in the anus region and stiffness of the site.

How to treat : it is almost always necessary to remove the pus accumulated inside the abscess and, therefore, you should go to the proctologist. However, in more severe cases, where the abscess is very large, surgery may be recommended to remove the pus and facilitate healing of the site.

4. Molluscum contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum, also known as Molluscum contagiosum  is a skin problem caused by the poxvirus virus, which causes the formation of small lumps on the skin and can also affect the perianal region. This situation is more common in adults due to unprotected anal sexual contact.

How to treat : the treatment is similar to that of genital warts, and can be done with the application of ointments prescribed by the proctologist, which may contain salicylic acid or an antiviral. In addition, in some cases, it is also possible to opt for the use of cryotherapy or laser to destroy the lesions. Understand better how the treatment is done .

5. Anal cancer

This is the rarest cause of a lump in the anus, but it is also the most serious, which needs to be identified as soon as possible by the proctologist so that the treatment is more successful. In these cases, in addition to the lump, there may also be constant pain in the anus, itching, difficulty defecating or the presence of blood in the stool.

How to treat : Treatment needs to be discussed with a proctologist, but is usually done with chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, if the tumor is small, the option of removing it with surgery, for example, can still be considered. See more about anal cancer and how to treat it .