I'm confused...can hemorrhoids be the cause of occult blood in stool or not?

[Mapper]

I spoke with my Mom again today about her upcoming colonoscopy. She's worried about it and I am as well but I realize that the occult blood could be many different things. She has hemorrhoids and I told her that they could be the cause of it and she said that's what she thought too, but that blood would show up as bright red. The doctor had her redo her stool test after there was blood found on the first one and then there was blood again on the second one. She said she was sure she was careful not to have hemorrhoid blood on the sample, but how can you NOT if you have hemorrhoids? I mean the stool is going to pass over them regardless right?

She kept telling me over again that it wasn't hemorrhoid blood, but even the tiniest amount could mix in and not be seen by the naked eye, couldn't it?

[ChemoMan]

Hi Mapper

Mum needs that colonoscopy as occult blood is not caused by hemorrhoids. hemorrhoids when they bleed pass frank blood as they are situated around the anus. Occult blood is blood which comes from the bowels and is very different from frank blood. A colonoscopy is a simple procedure with very few complications and nothing to be afraid off.

The bowels can bleed for many reasons other than cancer so this does not mean Mum has cancer but that colonoscopy need to be done to find out the cause.

Good luck

[Mapper]

Yeah, but I'm saying couldn't have just the tiniest bit of hemorrhoid blood got onto the sample by accident, being such a minute amount that it is undetectable to the naked eye?

[ChemoMan]

Hi Mapper

No. Frank blood from hemarrhoids is different to occult blood. Hemarrhoids are not a cause of occult blood.

Good luck for Mum with her colonoscopy.

[Baz10]

Mapper,
ChemoMan is absolutely correct, there is no way that hemorroids can cause occult blood in a stool.
Occult blood is take up during the formation of a stool which takes place further inside the bowel.
Your mom needs the colonoscopy.
Good luck and best wishes
Barry

[Mapper]

But I've read on SO MANY different websites that one cause of a positive FOBT is hemorroids. Do they mean internal hemorroids?

[ChemoMan]

Hi mapper

OK lets say it can be internal hemorrhoids. There is still a 2% to 10% chance it could be cancer. Are you willing to take the chance it is not? The colonoscopy will help find out what the cause is whatever it may be,

The common causes for occult blood are:

• 2–10%: cancer (colorectal cancer, gastric cancer)
• 20–30% adenoma or polyps
• Bleeding peptic ulcer
• Angiodysplasia of the colon
• Sickle cell anemia

[baysideskincancer]

Haemorrhoids can cause occult blood
if they cause macroscopic bleeding ( visible ) , they can cause microscopic bleeding ( occult )
They may be the cause of the positive FOB

Most positive FOB are not due to tumours
Still she should have a colonoscopy or be assessed in some way

[Baz10]

Bayside,
Sorry but what you say is wrong.
occult blood is take up within the stool that occurs higher in the digestive/ colon where the stool is formed. Stool formation does not take place within the anal canal, it's just not possible.
Visible blood (bright red) comes from anal fissures or haemorrhoids , if it is dark blood (brown to blackish in colour) this indicates it is higher within the small or large intestine.
There is no point in discussing if, buts, maybe's.
Only a colonoscopy can reveal where the blood originates.
Barry