Colonic Vascular Ectasia

Vascular ectasia of the colon, also called angiodysplasia, consists of abnormal dilation of small blood vessels in the wall of the large intestine. These vessels become fragile and may bleed, which is why they are a known cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in older adults.

How it may present: It can go unnoticed for a long time or produce visible blood in the stool, dark stools, anemia, fatigue, or weakness from slow, sustained blood loss.

When to seek care? A review is advisable in the case of bleeding with bowel movements, black stools, or unexplained tiredness that does not improve with rest.

Which specialist handles it? The gastroenterologist and the endoscopist are the ones who study it, usually by colonoscopy, while the general surgeon steps in for selected cases. If you notice gastrointestinal bleeding or unexplained anemia, evaluating it with one of these professionals helps locate the source and guide management.