Diseases of the rectum – the most important diseases of the rectum are its inflammatory conditions, its tumours and disorders of the anus (haemorrhoidal disease, fissures).
Inflammatory conditions are most often caused by infections (intestinal infections, sexually transmitted pathogens) and by inflammatory colondiseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease).
Among tumours, the most significant is rectal cancer, one of the most common malignant diseases. Its significance lies in the fact that most of these tumours are located within reach of a finger, so they could be detected early during regular medical check-ups.
One reason why it is so common, however, is patients' neglect and embarrassment, which mean that they do not always see a doctor even when they have symptoms.
