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Background: Hemorrhoidectomy is a common procedure used to treat symptomatic hemorrhoids. However, the necessity and cost-effectiveness of routinely conducting histopathological analysis on excised tissue samples are uncertain., Methods: A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE up to December 2023 for studies assessing the histopathological outcomes of hemorrhoidectomy specimens. Meta-analysis was performed on articles with combinable results to determine the pooled proportions of cancer and anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) using the random effects model., Results: From 2974 initial search results, 12 studies were included in the review, with 48,365 resected specimens from hemorrhoidectomy. Among these, there were 11 retrospective studies and one prospective study. A meta-analysis of 11 studies revealed that the prevalence of anal cancer was low, at 0.13% (95% CI: 0.05%-0.31%). The prevalence of anal cancer and AIN combined was 1.16% (95% CI: 0.53%-2.52%)., Conclusion: This literature review estimated the probability of malignancy detection in hemorrhoid specimens sent for histopathological evaluation. The low incidence of malignant findings implies that routine analysis of hemorrhoidectomy samples may not be cost-effective. However, existing studies have yet to establish definitive risk factors for abnormal histological diagnoses to aid in the selection of specimens for selective histopathology., (© 2024 The Author(s). World Journal of Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Surgery/Société Internationale de Chirurgie (ISS/SIC).)

The non-specific clinical symptoms of anorectal brownish-black mass do not help to differentiate colorectal cancer, hemorrhoids, rectal ulcers which result in a delayed diagnosis or lead to inadequate management of lethal anorectal melanoma. Primary malignant melanoma of the anorectal region is an uncommon tumor, constituting approximately 1% of anal canal tumors which may be misdiagnosed clinically as hemorrhoids. Because of aggressive behavior and poor prognosis, efficient and prompt diagnosis is required in these cases. We report 2 cases of this rare tumor., (© 2021. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The lower rectum close to the dentate line has distinct characteristics, making endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of tumors challenging. We assessed clinical outcomes of ESD for such patients with hemorrhoids., Methods: Sixty-four patients (mean age, 68 years) underwent ESD for anorectal tumors close to the dentate line. We divided patients into those with (Group A, 45 patients) and without hemorrhoids (Group B, 19 patients). We examined en bloc and histological en bloc resection rates, procedure time, complication rates, and postoperative prognosis after ESD., Results: The mean tumor size was 43 mm. Histologic diagnoses were adenoma (42 %, 27/64), carcinoma in situ (44 %, 28/64), and T1 carcinoma (14 %, 9/64). There was no significant difference in en bloc resection (93 %, 42/45 vs. 95 %, 18/19) or postoperative bleeding rates (16 %, 7/45 vs. 11 %, 2/19) between Groups A and B, respectively. The mean procedural durations were 120 and 124 min, respectively, in Groups A and B. No perforations occurred. There was no significant difference in postoperative anal pain rate between Groups A (18 %, 8/45) and B (16 %, 3/19), and it resolved within a few days in all cases. There was one case of stricture in Group B. Two patients with T1 carcinoma underwent additional surgery, one underwent chemotherapy, and five had no additional treatment. No recurrence occurred during the follow-up period of 38 months., Conclusions: ESD is safe and effective for anorectal tumors close to the dentate line in patients with hemorrhoids.

Background: The necessity for routine histopathologic evaluation of hemorrhoidectomy specimens considered free of suspicious areas after careful visual and manual inspection remains controversial., Objective: The purpose of this work was to prospectively study the prevalence of anal intraepithelial neoplasia in macroscopically normal operative specimens., Design and Patients: From October 2005 to September 2010, all hemorrhoidectomy and fissurectomy specimens were sent for routine histopathologic analysis., Setting: This study was conducted at a tertiary referral center., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measured was the histopathologic examination of surgical samples., Results: Among the specimens from 2997 procedures, routine histopathologic evaluation found anal intraepithelial neoplasia in 97 patients (3.2%), despite the fact that visual and manual inspection had determined that the specimens were free of any suspected anal intraepithelial neoplasia or human papillomavirus-related lesion. The pathological diagnoses for these macroscopically normal specimens were AIN1 in 22 (23%) patients, AIN2 in 48 (49%) patients and AIN3 in 27 (28%) patients, making the prevalence of high-grade and low-grade disease 2.5% (anal intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3) and 0.7% (anal intraepithelial neoplasia 1)., Limitations: This study was limited by being a single-center study., Conclusion: This prospective single-center study demonstrated that the prevalence of infraclinical anal intraepithelial neoplasia in macroscopically normal hemorrhoidectomy and fissurectomy specimens is not negligible (3.2% with 2.5% high-grade disease).

Purpose: To establish the necessity of routine histopathologic examination of specimens from hemorrhoids and anal fistula that are diagnosed preoperatively., Methods: We reviewed histopathologic reports from hemorrhoidectomy and anal fistula excision operations performed between 2007 and 2011 in the sixth affiliated hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and Guangdong Province Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital. We evaluated the incidence of unexpected pathologic malignancy and its impact on postoperative management., Results: Among the 10532 patients recruited, 8308 had undergone hemorrhoidectomy and 2224 had undergone excision of an anal fistula. Unexpected pathologic malignancy was discovered in 17 specimens (0.16 %). Overall and subgroup analysis for risk factors of malignant detection revealed unexpected pathologic malignancy was more likely to be found in people over the age of 60 years (OR = 5.516, P = 0.002 overall and OR = 5.442, P = 0.007 for hemorrhoids)., Conclusion: Routine histopathologic examination of specimens from patients undergoing hemorrhoid or anal fistula surgery is of value for identifying unexpected pathologic malignancy. An age older than 60 years may be a remarkable risk factor.

Anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) is an extremely rare condition, often misdiagnosed and mistreated until development of metastatic disease. Clinical presentation mimicking hemorrhoids is a well-known pitfall. We present a male patient with hemorrhoidal nodules who was referred to the policlinic of dermatology for management of anal pruritus. A dark macule was detected over one of the hemorrhoidal nodules histologically verified as melanoma. Subsequent CT and PET/CT showed lymph nodes involvement and the patient underwent wide local excision (WSE) followed by abdominoperineal resection (APR). The rarity of ARMM does not allow for establishment of a validated staging system, placebo-controlled treatment trials and management guidelines adoption. The current treatment for the condition is surgical excision, using different techniques according to the stage of the disease and depth of invasion. The prognosis and overall survival are poor, but recent genetic studies give promising results for molecular targeting. Awareness for this disease is indispensable, as early recognition could result in improved survival and quality of life.

Anal gland carcinoma (AGC) is a rare perianal invasive cancer composed of tubular glands lined by cuboidal epithelium. The clinical features and histogenesis of AGC are not well understood and its origin from anal glands is often difficult to prove. Little is known about immunophenotypic features of AGC that could be useful in establishing the diagnosis. This study evaluated the immunohistochemical profile of 2 cases of AGC in comparison to anal glands from 11 hemorrhoidectomy specimens. Sections from the specimens were routinely processed and immunostained using commercial antibodies to cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK20, CK5/ 6, p63, CDX2, smooth muscle actin, calponin, heavy chain smooth muscle myosin, p53, and p16. In case 1 of AGC, radiation and chemotherapy preceded an abdominoperineal resection. In biopsies from this case, the neoplastic anal glands had a tubular pattern, whereas most glands in the resection specimen exhibited mucinous features. The histologic pattern in case 2 was tubular. Normal anal glands showed immunoreactivity for myoepithelial and basal cell markers CK5/6 and p63 in basal and parabasal cell layers and for CK7 in superficial cell layers. In contrast, both cases of AGC were negative for CK5/6 and p63 and were diffusely positive for CK7. Normal glands and both cases of AGC were negative for the intestinal differentiation marker CDX2, CK20, smooth muscle actin, calponin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, p16, and p53. Our data suggest that loss of p63 and CK5/6 expression is a feature of AGC. Anal gland carcinoma shares negativity for CDX2 and CK7+/CK20- profile with normal anal glands. No evidence of myoepithelial cells was found in normal or malignant anal glands. These data may be useful in establishing the diagnosis of AGC.

Aims: To elucidate the pathogenesis of the anal fibroepithelial polyp, we examined surgically resected lesions histopathologically., Methods and Results: Twenty-seven surgically resected anal fibroepithelial polyps were investigated histologically with an additional immunohistochemical examination using anti-CD34. For a control study, the surgical specimens of the anal canal showing non-polypoid lesions, obtained from haemorrhoidectomy (18 specimens) and rectectomy (five specimens) due to rectal cancer without anal canal involvement, were also analysed. We demonstrated characteristic spindle or stellate cells immunohistochemically positive for CD34 in the anal fibroepithelial polyps (24/27, 89%). The number of CD34+ cells was statistically related to the size of anal fibroepithelial polyps, although CD34+ stromal cells were recognized in the non-polypoid anal submucosa and haemorrhoids. We also found hyalinized vascular changes in the base of six anal fibroepithelial polyps examined. These features were not detected in the non-polypoid anal canal., Conclusions: An increase in CD34+ stromal cells may play a role in the enlargement of anal fibroepithelial polyps. CD34+ stromal cells are suggested to be distinctive mesenchymal cells with a capability for tissue repair and overgrowth. The vascular impairment could be secondary change associated with localized tissue damage by abnormal traction.

Metastatic, noncolorectal carcinoma involving the anal canal is exceptionally rare, with only 3 cases being described in the medical literature. We report the case of a 53-year-old man with an anal mass clinically presenting as a large, thrombosed, internal hemorrhoid. The patient had a history of nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 9 years previously. The resected anal lesion was histologically identical to the primary tumor in the kidney, showing features of renal cell carcinoma of the clear cell type. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the fourth reported case of metastatic, noncolorectal carcinoma involving the anal canal and is the first report of a renal cell carcinoma metastasis to this site.

Anal melanoma is a devastating malignancy easily confused with benign hemorrhoids. Physician unfamiliarity with this bleeding rectal lesion can lead to delays in diagnosis and therapy. Four cases of anal melanoma, all initially mistaken for hemorrhoids, have been documented in the past 4 years at our institution. Despite surgical intervention and chemoimmunotherapy, each patient succumbed to widely metastatic disease. Average survival was 15.2 months. The clinical, pathologic, surgical, and oncologic features of anal melanoma are reviewed to enhance physician recognition of this unusual anorectal disorder.

Unsuspected carcinoma of the anus found on routine pathologic analysis of specimens taken at hemorrhoidectomy is a rare occurrence. Rates of 1 to 2 per cent are quoted, but without the support of objective data. During the past 20 years, 21,257 hemorrhoidectomies have been performed at Ferguson Hospital. During that time period, only one instance of unsuspected carcinoma of the anus was diagnosed solely by microscopic analysis of a specimen that was taken at hemorrhoidectomy. Based on this information, we recommend selective rather than routine pathologic evaluation of hemorrhoidectomy specimens. All patients should undergo careful anorectal examination prior to hemorrhoidectomy. Repeat examination should be performed with the patient under anesthesia and all excised tissue should be visually and manually inspected by the operating surgeon. Any suspicious areas as based on preoperative evaluation, examination under anesthesia or inspection of excised tissue should be sent for gross and microscopic evaluation.

The investigators report the clinical and pathologic features of 19 cases of intraepithelial neoplasia occurring in the anal canal mucosa of routinely excised hemorrhoidal tissue, a condition that has been infrequently described. The patients were 12 women and seven men having an age range of 21 to 74 years (mean, 48 years). Two patients had coexistent anogenital condylomata acuminata. Leukoplakia of the hemorrhoidal surface was noted in two patients. Intraepithelial neoplasia arose in the transition zone of the anal canal of 11 cases, in the squamous zone of three cases, and in both sites of five cases. All were high-grade intraepithelial neoplasms; one was classified moderate to severe dysplasia, 17 exhibited severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ, and one contained microinvasive carcinoma. Both keratinizing and cloacogenic type neoplasms were observed. Associated koilocytotic atypia was identified in 16 cases (84%). In situ hybridization for human papillomavirus (HPV) messenger RNA demonstrated HPV RNA sequences in seven of nine neoplasms (78%) studied by that technique (five HPV type 16, one HPV type 18, and one coinfection with HPV types 6 and 18). Eighteen patients had no clinically evident recurrent or progressive disease at mean follow-up of 6.6 years. Residual/recurrent intraepithelial neoplasia was noted in one patient at 1, 2, 5, and 49 months posthemorrhoidectomy. Our data indicate that incidentally discovered high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia present in hemorroidal tissue is a clinically nonaggressive lesion frequently associated with HPV infection. Hemorrhoidectomy alone is curative in most cases.

Objective: To compare anal cytology, colposcopy and DNA hybridisation as methods of detecting anal HPV infection., Subjects and Design: Patients attending: (1) a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic with ano-genital warts; (2) a surgical out-patient department with anal fissure or haemorrhoids were examined for evidence of anal HPV infection., Results: Considering GUM clinic attenders, 17% (38/225) and 40% (90/225) had perianal or anal canal warts respectively. Colposcopic examination revealed anal acetowhite lesions without warts in 28% (63/225). Cytological evidence of HPV infection was found in 98%, 83%, and 90% of patients with anal canal warts, perianal warts and acetowhite lesions respectively. Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) was documented in 22% of patients with anal canal warts compared with 6% with perianal warts (p less than 0.01). HPV DNA was detected from the anal brushings of 71%, 50%, 32%, and 29% of patients with anal canal warts, perianal warts, acetowhite lesions and a normal anal examination respectively. HPV type 6/11 was detected in the majority of HPV positive samples. Considering surgical out-patient attenders with no history or signs of anal warts, 25% showed cytological evidence of anal HPV infection and HPV DNA was detected from anal brushings in 3% (2/71)., Conclusion: Anal examination with the colposcope is a useful method for detecting subclinical HPV infection. Anal cytology may prove helpful for detecting AIN, however, since koilocytosis was rarely seen, the specificity of the cytological criteria for anal HPV infection in the absence of AIN is uncertain. DNA analysis of anal brushings proved only moderately sensitive.

This report describes the clinical and pathologic features of eight cases of an unusual inflammatory polyp arising from the transitional zone of the anus. This lesion has been designated as the inflammatory cloacogenic polyp. Rectal bleeding is the most common presenting clinical symptom. The polyp is usually located on the anterior wall of the anal canal. Morphologically, it is characterized by a tubulovillous pattern of growth, superficial ulceration, displaced groups of crypts into submucosa, and extension of chronically inflamed fibromuscular stroma into the lamina propria. Clinical and morphologic similarities with the solitary rectal ulcer syndrome suggests that prolapse of transitional zone mucosa may be important in its pathogenesis. Simple surgical resection appears to be the treatment of choice.

A case of primary anorectal malignant melanoma in a 66-year-old lady is presented and the clinical, radiological and surgical features reviewed. The presenting symptoms similar to the more commonly encountered haemorrhoids led to a delay in the eventual diagnosis and treatment, resulting in limited post-operative survival. The relevant literature is reviewed and an emphasis made on the accurate histological diagnosis of anorectal growths.