Radiation Proctitis

Hi Cherryl--
My understanding of radiation proctitis is that it is a chronic condition that can flare up on occasion but for most people is not present all the time. I believe this is true in my own case, as I have bouts of it now and then. Most of the time though, I do not have any symptoms. I can have flare-ups when I get constipated or having a really hard bowel movement or eat a lot of spicy foods.

I hope your doctor concurs on the 31st. that the uptake on your recent PET scan is inflammation. My rad onc told me that I could get PET scans for the rest of my life and would always have some uptake in the anal area, due to inflammation and irritation. If you think about it, it's an area that never gets left alone to heal, so his explanation makes sense to me. I wish you all the best and hope you'll let us know what you find out.

RoseC said:

What are the symptoms of radiation proctitis?
Hi Martha and Cherryl,

I've often heard reference to 'radiation proctitis' but don't exactly know what the symptoms are - can you explain what you mean by radiation proctitis? Thanks!

Hi Rose--
I copied this from the Wikipedia site and I hope it answers your question.

Radiation proctitis can occur at two times after treatment:
Acute radiation proctitis — symptoms occur in the first few weeks after therapy. These symptoms include diarrhea and the urgent need to defecate, often with inability to do so (tenesmus). Acute radiation proctitis usually resolves without treatment after several months, but symptoms may improve with butyrate enemas.[1][2] This acute phase is due to direct damage of the lining (epithelium) of the colon.
Chronic radiation proctitis — symptoms may begin as early as several months after therapy but occasionally not until several years later. These symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, painful defecation, and intestinal blockage. Intestinal blockage is a result of narrowing of the rectum which blocks the flow of feces. Connections (fistulae) may also develop between the colon and other parts of the body such as the skin or urinary system. Chronic radiation proctitis occurs in part because of damage to the blood vessels which supply the colon. The colon is therefore deprived of oxygen and necessary nutrients. Symptoms such as diarrhea and painful defecation may be treated with oral opioids and stool softeners, respectively. Complications such as obstruction and fistulae may require surgery. Several other methods are under development as of 2005 to lessen the effects of radiation proctitis. These include sucralfate, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, corticosteroids, metronidazole, argon plasma coagulation, and radiofrequency ablation.