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Clusters of tiny veins lie just beneath the mucous membranes that line the lower rectum and anus. Hemorrhoids develop when those veins become inflamed and swollen, often due to pressure from constipation or childbirth. Excessive straining can disrupt the flow of blood to and from the rectum and anus, causing blood to pool in the veins. Because the connective tissues that hold the veins in place weaken over time, hemorrhoids are particularly common among older adults.
There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal, which develop in the lower rectum, and external, which develop under the skin around the anus. Internal hemorrhoids are typically painless, but they may bleed and sometimes extend beyond the anus, which can cause itching and irritation. External hemorrhoids tend to be more painful because they can irritate and erode the overlying skin.
Oftentimes, hemorrhoid symptoms are mild and improve with home therapies, such as establishing regular bowel habits, incorporating more fiber into the diet to prevent constipation, exercising to stimulate bowel function and taking warm baths. Over-the-counter remedies such as topical hemorrhoid creams and witch hazel wipes can temporarily soothe the pain.
In some cases, however, hemorrhoids continue to bleed for months or even years. While light bleeding can be a manageable nuisance, excessive bleeding can be dangerous for a patient who takes blood thinners or has low blood cell counts due to cancer or chemotherapy.
The treatment options for hemorrhoids include:
Rubber band ligation is a common and fairly effective treatment for internal hemorrhoids that bleed. Essentially, a small elastic band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid, causing the vein to shrink and the surrounding tissues to scar, which can help hold the healed vein in place. Several procedures may be required to completely eliminate the hemorrhoid.
Surgical removal is the standard of care for large, protruding hemorrhoids that bleed. While effective, this approach is generally viewed as a last resort because it involves a lengthy recovery period. However, there are minimally invasive alternatives to traditional hemorrhoid removal (hemorrhoidectomy). One option is hemorrhoid embolization.
A type of interventional radiology, hemorrhoid embolization carries minimal risk. After the patient is sedated, a physician creates a needle puncture in the femoral artery in the groin. Guided by real-time imaging, the physician inserts a microcatheter through the needle access site and passes it into the arteries that feed the hemorrhoid. Using tiny metallic coils, the physician blocks the arteries, then removes the microcatheter and applies a bandage. The procedure takes approximately one to two hours and is followed by a one-hour recovery period. Most patients go home on the same day and resume their normal activities on the following day.
Hemorrhoid embolization is not associated with pain or discomfort. Studies show that the procedure consistently produces good outcomes, and approximately 75% of patients experience no bleeding for at least one year afterward.
Moffitt is firmly positioned on the leading edge of cancer treatment. As Florida’s top cancer hospital, we offer our patients highly customized and finetuned interventions—such as hemorrhoid embolization—that extend far beyond the level of expertise found at many other cancer centers. Our multispecialty team is well-recognized and we are continually expanding our services to encompass all aspects of our patients’ healthcare needs.
If you would like to learn more about hemorrhoid embolization, you can request an appointment with a specialist at Moffitt by calling 1-888-663-3488 or submitting a new patient registration form online. We do not require referrals.
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