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What Causes Thin And Pencil Like Stools?

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Posted on Mon, 5 May 2014
Question: I am a 58 year old male with non insulin dependent type II diabetes for the past 9 years. I was also diagnosed with ulcertive colitus, about 7 years ago, for which I take Lialda medication, and has been in remission. I do also have GERD, for which I take nexium once a day. Over the years, since the colitus diagnosis, I've had bouts of constipation. My last colonoscopy was 2 years ago at which time I believe 2 or 3 polyps were removed. I am scheduled for my next colonoscopy in early August. My last endoscopy was one year ago. My bowels had been normal for some time until about 10 days, when they suddenly became very thin and have been pencil thin and in small pieces since. [I had not changed my diet]. Also during this time frame, ie., the past 10 days, I had come down with the flu. A couple months ago I also had noticed a small (less than an inch) non painful soft lump (to my right & above belly button) , and at time didn't think much of it. I have read online that sudden pencil thin stools can be a symptom of colon cancer, as can a mass on the abdomen. I am scheduled to see my GI in 2 days, and am concerned that I do have colon cancer. Should I request that I have my colonoscopy done immediately? Do my symptoms more than likely indicate colon cancer?
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Yes, colonoscopy is necessary as soon as possible. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Thin, pencil like stools are usually caused by some narrowing in the intestine. Such narrowing can be caused by inflammatory process (what is characteristic for Ulcerative Colitis) or by some lesion (like polyp or cancer). So such symptom for sure should not be ignored and can be caused by a cancer. Moreover, Ulcerative Colitis is a condition which increases risk of colon cancer. For sure you should not wait till August. Your colonoscopy should be done as soon as possible (however few days wont change anything if its a cancer, so you should wait this few days till GI visit). Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Causes Thin And Pencil Like Stools?

Brief Answer: Yes, colonoscopy is necessary as soon as possible. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Thin, pencil like stools are usually caused by some narrowing in the intestine. Such narrowing can be caused by inflammatory process (what is characteristic for Ulcerative Colitis) or by some lesion (like polyp or cancer). So such symptom for sure should not be ignored and can be caused by a cancer. Moreover, Ulcerative Colitis is a condition which increases risk of colon cancer. For sure you should not wait till August. Your colonoscopy should be done as soon as possible (however few days wont change anything if its a cancer, so you should wait this few days till GI visit). Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.