Abstract
Marilyne Lange and Cornelis van de Velde discuss the differential diagnosis and management of incontinence after rectal cancer treatment.
Highlights
During a control check-up after rectal cancer treatment, a 67-year-old woman reported experiencing frequent bowel movements
Long-term urinary incontinence develops in almost one third of patients, and combined urinary and faecal incontinence occurs in 14% of patients with normal pre-operative function [3,4]
Patients with a small neorectum after resection of a low-lying tumour, as was the case in the present patient, are at increased risk for faecal incontinence. In this patient’s case, rectal cancer resection was preceded by pelvic radiotherapy, which is known to increase the risk of faecal incontinence [8]
Summary
During a control check-up after rectal cancer treatment, a 67-year-old woman reported experiencing frequent bowel movements. The woman had no previous medical history On questioning, she reported having suffered from rectal urgency symptoms ever since the colostomy was reversed. She reported having suffered from rectal urgency symptoms ever since the colostomy was reversed These symptoms were quite acceptable, especially because she assumed them to be temporary. They became worse over time, and urgency developed into involuntary stool leakage, requiring her to wear a protective pad constantly. She indicated that she experienced urine loss, especially during coughing, laughing, or lifting. She stated that voiding and defecation were fully normal before her treatment for rectal cancer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
