Experiencing bowel leakage or being unable to control a bowel movement may be unsettling and disruptive. But the good news is that bowel leakage is rarely a sign of something as serious as cancer.
“Very rarely, bowel leakage may be a sign of occult rectal cancer, however, the most common causes of chronic bowel leakage are related to issues with the sphincter muscles, which control defecation,” says Pankaj Vashi, M.D., A.G.A.F., F.A.S.P.E.N., a gastroenterologist and an associate professor in the Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago.
This article discusses some of the common causes of bowel leakage, and when patients should see their doctor, covering topics such as:
- What is bowel leakage?
- Is bowel leakage a sign of cancer?
- What causes anal leakage?
- Bowel incontinence treatment
- When to see a doctor about fecal incontinence
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and you are looking for a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
What Is Bowel Leakage?
Bowel leakage is a health condition in which a patient is unable to control passing stool. It is sometimes referred to as fecal incontinence or anal leakage. Bowel leakage may happen when:
- A patient has the urge to pass stool, but is unable to get to the bathroom before doing so
- A patient passes stool or mucus from the anus without noticing, which is sometimes called passive fecal incontinence
There are many health conditions that may cause bowel leakage — and most of them are relatively common and may be managed with simple treatments.
Is Bowel Leakage a Sign of Cancer?
Studies suggest that it is very rare for bowel leakage to be an indication of cancer.
“I have seen a few patients who presented with changes in bowel habits, such as occasional rectal bleeding or bowel leakage, who turned out to have rectal cancer or large polyps, but this is very rare,” Dr. Vashi says.
While bowel leakage is rarely a sign of cancer, it is still important for patients with persistent fecal incontinence to make an appointment to see a doctor.
What Causes Anal Leakage?
Anal leakage is most often caused by noncancerous conditions.
"Fecal incontinence may be related to issue such as a previous surgery in that area, previous radiation therapy exposure, inflammation or even large, inflamed hemorrhoids,” says Dr. Vashi.
Some of the more common causes of bowel leakage include:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome or proctitis
- Weakness in the pelvic muscles caused by surgeries to treat other conditions or by trauma such as vaginal childbirth
- Damaged nerves in the anus or rectum, which may occur after certain types of injury
- Issues such as hemorrhoids, rectocele or rectal prolapse
- Neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, stroke or dementia
“Any medical condition that can cause chronic diarrhea can also lead to leakage,” Dr. Vashi adds.
Bowel Incontinence Treatment
The first step in treating bowel incontinence is to understand the underlying cause or causes. Fortunately, many patients see positive results from simple treatment and management options, such as:
- Changes in diet
- Exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
- Bowel training, which involves training oneself to pass stool at certain times of day
"Pelvic exercises and certain types of biofeedback therapies can help patients whose bowel leakage is caused by poor muscle tone, previous surgeries or pelvic floor dysfunction,” according to Dr. Vashi.
Depending on the cause of a patient’s fecal incontinence, other treatment options may include:
- Prescription or over-the-counter medications
- Biofeedback therapy, which uses devices to help train the body’s nerves and improve pelvic strength
- Sacral nerve stimulation, which uses a small device to stimulate the nerves that control the muscles in the anus and rectum
- A vaginal balloon, which is a device that can be inserted into the vagina and inflated in order to put pressure on the muscles of the rectum to prevent leakage
- Surgery to repair the anal sphincter muscles
- Colostomy, which redirects the colon to a hole in the abdominal wall, but this is rare
When to See a Doctor About Fecal Incontinence
Dr. Vashi recommends that patients experiencing fecal incontinence symptoms make an appointment to see their doctor if:
- Fecal incontinence lasts for more than 2 weeks
- Their fecal incontinence symptoms keep coming back
- They are experiencing other symptoms, such as blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss or persistent diarrhea or constipation
“The bottom line is, do not ignore bowel leakage symptoms,” says Dr. Vashi. “Always seek medical help from your primary care physician, who can refer you to a doctor with expertise in diagnosing and treating this condition.”
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and you are looking for a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.