Warts are not usually painful and many patients may be unaware that warts are present. Warts may also develop hidden on the inside of the anal canal.

Causes: Warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted from person to person by direct contact (is a sexually transmitted disease). You do not have to have anal intercourse to develop anal warts.

Do anal warts always need to be removed? Yes. Left untreated, the warts may grow larger, multiply, and may lead to a mildly increased risk of cancer in the affected area.

What are the treatments? Small warts may be treated with topical medications or liquid nitrogen. Surgery may also be needed to remove the warts. Internal anal examination is important to ensure that there are no warts inside the anal canal. When warts are extensive, surgery could be performed in stages. If warts return additional treatments may be needed. Repeat check-ups following treatment are important.

As a precaution, sexual partners should be checked for warts and other sexually transmitted diseases, even if they have no symptoms.

(Simplified from Patient Eduction Brochures of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)

CROHN’S DISEASE

Is an inflammatory process potentially affecting portions of the entire gastrointestinal tract. The inflammation involves the innermost layer and can extend through the bowel wall.

Symptoms: cramping, pain, persistent diarrhea or constipation, bleeding with bowel movements, fever, fatigue, weight loss, drainage from the perianal area, and non-healing or recurring perianal abscesses, fissures, or fistulas.

Who is at risk? Can appear at any age. Mainly between ages 15 and 35.

Causes? Unknown

Medical treatment is the first choice unless emergency surgery is required.

Surgical treatment can be indicated for complications of Crohn’s disease. Abdominal surgery can be performed either through a traditional open or minimally invasive procedure (Laparoscopy). The most common procedure is removal of the end of the small bowel and the beginning of the large bowel (ileocecal resection).

Crohn’s patients will need to stick with their medical regimens for life.

Crohn’s disease involving the colon increases the risk of developing colon cancer. Risk increases after 8-10 years of disease.

(Simplified from Patient Eduction Brochures of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)