Seeking care for specialized health concerns, particularly those related to the lower digestive tract, often involves confusing terminology. Many people search for the name of the doctor who focuses on the colon, rectum, and anus. This article clarifies the professional titles and specific roles of the physicians dedicated to diagnosing and managing conditions affecting this part of the anatomy.
The Specialist’s Official Titles
The most recognized title for this specialist is a “Colorectal Surgeon” or “Colon and Rectal Surgeon.” These physicians are first trained as general surgeons, completing a five-year residency program. They then pursue an additional year of focused fellowship training in diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract. This intensive training provides expertise in both the medical and surgical management of these conditions.
This training qualifies them for board certification from the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS). An older, less common term is “Proctologist,” which historically focused specifically on the anus and rectum. This term has largely been replaced by the more comprehensive title of Colorectal Surgeon, reflecting the broader scope of the entire colon and rectum.
Scope of Practice
The Colorectal Surgeon focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the large intestine and related structures. They manage conditions requiring operative intervention or specific procedural management, ranging from common anal issues to complex internal diseases.
They treat perianal issues, including:
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures (small tears in the lining)
- Abscesses
- Fistulas (abnormal connections between structures)
Their scope also includes the colon and rectum, where they manage diverticular disease (inflammation or infection of small pouches in the colon wall). They handle surgical cases related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, when medical management fails. Colorectal Surgeons are also the primary specialists for the surgical removal of polyps and the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Specialty vs. General Gastroenterology
The distinction between a Colorectal Surgeon and a Gastroenterologist is important, as their roles are fundamentally different. A Gastroenterologist (GI doctor) is a medical specialist focusing on the entire digestive tract, primarily using non-surgical treatments. They complete an internal medicine residency followed by a multi-year fellowship, focusing on medical management, diagnosis, and screening procedures.
The GI doctor handles conditions like acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, and the medical management of inflammatory bowel disease using medications. They routinely perform screening colonoscopies to look for precancerous polyps. While they can remove small polyps during a colonoscopy, they do not perform major surgery.
The Colorectal Surgeon is a surgical subspecialist, who is consulted when a condition in the lower tract requires an operation. If a Gastroenterologist discovers a large polyp that cannot be removed endoscopically, or if a patient’s IBD requires removing a section of the bowel, the patient is referred to the Colorectal Surgeon. This division ensures patients receive the most appropriate care, whether it is medication-based or procedural.