Tenesmus / rectal pain-how is it best managed?

Author(s): A Rich & J Ellershaw

Description

Tenesmus is recognised to be a difficult symptom to treat, although a wide range of treatment options are available. Understanding the pathophysiology of the condition helps in the rationalisation of treatments and management of factors which may be exacerbating the discomfort. The evidence for many treaments is however limited with the best supportive evidence available for the use of radiotherapy, lumbar sympathectomy, endoscopic resection and laser treatment.