This topic revolves around a 70-year-old man who has been cancer-free for four years after undergoing treatment for stage-4 rectal cancer. Despite his cancer-free status, he has been experiencing severe and intermittent bleeding from his colostomy for the past 18 months. The bleeding episodes are intense, and he has required frequent blood transfusions. His surgeon has suggested relocating the stoma, and his sister is seeking advice from others who might have faced similar issues.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. The surgeon's suggestion to relocate the stoma is a common approach. Many people with ostomies have undergone stoma relocations, sometimes more than once, without major issues. Exploring resources on ostomy-related problems, particularly bleeding stomas, might provide useful firsthand experiences.

2. Bleeding that comes directly from the stoma often indicates an issue inside the bowel, such as inflammation, a lesion, or possibly recurrent cancer, rather than a surface problem. Bright-red blood suggests the bleeding source is near the stoma.

3. While the stoma and surrounding skin can bleed if irritated, massive bleeding usually points to deeper intestinal involvement. It might be wise to consider an endoscopic evaluation, such as a scope through the stoma or a full colonoscopy, before deciding on stoma relocation.

4. Conditions like ulcers, including pyoderma gangrenosum, at the junction where the stoma meets the skin or within the bowel, can mimic or cause heavy bleeding. Visual inspection alone might miss lesions that are higher up in the bowel.

5. It is advisable to seek a second or third opinion from surgical or gastroenterology specialists and undergo comprehensive diagnostics to identify the bleeding source before proceeding with major surgery like stoma relocation.

6. There is a documented case where sudden pouch filling with blood and external spurting was due to an ulcerative colitis skin manifestation. This highlights the importance of thorough investigation rather than immediately opting for stoma relocation.