HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Radiation Proctitis

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/23/2015 10:58 AM (GMT 0)
In early August I had an incisional hernia repair. I did not have a bowel movement for several days after the operation but was told this was normal. After bowel movements returned to normal, I began to have rectal pain. These are sharp pains that sometimes extend to the penis and last for a few minutes and pass. These pain events would happen sometimes several times a day. I assumed my system was slowly returning to normal and the pain would eventually go away. I noticed that most of the time I was gassy and I assumed that had something to do with it. When I was in Florida in late August for my 6 month checkup at UFPTI I mentioned it to my RO thinking it might be related to radiation proctitis. He did not think so and thought it was unrelated to my proton treatment.

Over the past 2 months the pain has continued and recently I’ve noticed blood in my stool. At first it was just a very little redness in spots and I couldn’t be sure if it was blood or something I had eaten. Now it is much more evident that it’s blood and blood clots throughout the stool. Does this sound like radiation protitis?
Posted 10/23/2015 12:35 PM (GMT 0)

hrpufnstuf said...
Now it is much more evident that it’s blood and blood clots throughout the stool. Does this sound like radiation protitis?



The short answer is, "Yes". I had the same symptoms after my Proton Therapy. Several other folks in my "graduating class" at UFPTI had similar blood-in-stools. Most (me included) healed without treatment after a period of time. I never had any pain.

As far as your pains are concerned, I've never heard of anyone with that problem.

Obviously, your Radiation Oncologist is the best person to consult.

...Jerry
Posted 10/23/2015 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like what I had - radiation proctitis. Get thee to a good gastroenterologist or proctologist. It may or may not be due to the radiation, but it should be looked at and treated.

The pain and blood is like due to constipation causing a fissure or a hemorrhoid or other leasion in the colon. You'll want to get more fiber in your diet, and possibly start a stool softener. If you have a fissure it can take a long time to heal.

I ended up needing a colonoscopy and some laser treatment to help mine. I still need to watch out for constipation and take a fun variety of things to keep from getting plugged up.

Andrew
Posted 10/23/2015 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I called UFPTI and spoke to my nurse. She said it sounded like radiation proctitis and is very common following prostate treatment. She said it usually resolves on its own, but I should have hematocrit and hemoglobin lab faxed to the clinic.

I do not have any constipation or hard stools. I eat lots of fiber and stay well hydrated. MY BM's are basically perfect; they just have blood in them.
Posted 10/23/2015 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
You could have a tear or sore spot that needs to heal. I often get bleeding and it can hang around for a few weeks. If it gets worse, you'll want to get seen.

Andrew
Posted 10/23/2015 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
You might have some radiation-induced inflammation of the pudendal nerve too. Have you taken Aleve or Advil? There's an enteric tissue specific anti-inflammatory drug called mesalamine, if those don't work.

- Allen
Posted 10/23/2015 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have had the same thing for several years. I will have blood in my stool 2-3 times/week without pain.
I have tried anusol HC and Carafate enemas without success.

My GI physician told me he could use Argon to treat but it may take several to completely stop the bleeding. Since it does not bother me, and that my hemoglobin and hematocrit are normal, I have elected not to treat.

Thanks
Paul
Posted 10/23/2015 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
It does sound like radiation proctitis, which I had after SRT. A topical treatment called Proctofoam helped me, and the passage of time.
Posted 10/27/2015 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
It took a year for radiation damage show up for me and it looks to be about one year for you. That's the thing about radiation, it's the gift that keeps on giving. I had about a week or two of fairly intense bleeding, no pain, but once it was so out of control I had to change clothes. Eventually it stopped.

A colonoscopy this year verified the radiation damage.

about year four I started peeing blood. All kinds of excitement. Eventually my uro took a peek and, again, radiation damage. Radiation cystitis.

Leaning new medical stuff the hard way is not fun but the alternative is worse.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply