HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

How common is radiation colitis and proctitus

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/21/2018 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone know from experience from radition to the pelvis area
Posted 6/21/2018 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I had replied to Stan earlier this morning. The post can be read here:
Radiotherapy session from a patient's point of view
Posted 6/21/2018 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
If you're asking about radiation as given as primary therapy... Colitis (inflammation of the bowel above the rectum) is rare among those who don't have IBD. Proctitis is very common, but these days, it is usually of low degree (Grade 1 or 2), acute (occurring during or immediately after radiation), and transient (lasting weeks or a few months). High degree (Grade 3 or 4), late-term, and chronic proctitis is rare. The best predictors of proctitis are baseline bowel function and age.

Here's an article with rough percentages for all side effects of radiation:

/pcnrv.blogspot.com/2016/08/adverse-effects-of-primary-imrt.html

Most of the data comes from the PROSTQA study with patients treated from 2003-2006. Since then, adoption of improved IGRT technology seems to have lessened toxicity. The ProtecT RCT, which used an older radiation technology (3D-CRT) showed only small degradation of bowel function at 6 months, with return to about baseline bowel function by 1 year.

/pcnrv.blogspot.com/2016/09/patient-reported-outcomes-from-protect.html

For salvage radiation, proctitis rates are usually similar, but reported urinary toxicity is usually worse.
Posted 6/21/2018 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
My salvage radiation ended three years ago and I have had lots of bowel and anal issues that included a fissure, severe pain and discomfort during and after bowel movements, frequent bleeding, stomach aches, gas, bloating and constipation. It has been, by far, the hardest part of my journey with prostate cancer.

The good news is I kept seeing my gastroenterologist ( sp? ) and tried lots of things .... that didnt work. But finally I see light at the end of the tunnel .... after 3 long years I am starting to feel like I am getting better. I still have to be very careful about what I eat, keep my meals small and drink lots of water.

The moral here is never lose hope and never give up. It's a journey that's full of "downs" with a real shortage of "ups". I have been tested and sometimes feel unlucky to have had to suffer, but each day I wake up I am happy and thankful that it was not a lot worse !
Posted 6/21/2018 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
5 years and 6 months out from radiation now.

My side effect nadir (maximum) was 3 years after radiation treatment ended. The nadir was several months of serious agony, then the SE's backed off somewhat. Radiation left me with diverticulitis and radiation colitis, increased hemorrhoid bleeding and confusion in my nervous sensation in the area. I often do not know if I need to pee or poop, that is with me every day now. I eat a very healthy diet and keep a strict schedule for eating and drinking so I avoid emergencies....mostly. blush Scheduling was part of my strategy to return to continence and it remains part of my healing process. I had to quit eating items like onions, peppers and the like, but still enjoy many herbs and spices.

A friend told me that she is still recovering from radiation therapy she got 20 years ago. Says she notes the continued improvement. I take note of the constant improvement myself, and believe that it will eventually get more tolerable.

Standard disclaimer: of course, your mileage may differ. smilewinkgrin
Posted 6/21/2018 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
I has salvage radiation (70.2 gray IMRT/IGRT) and had zero side effects. I never had to change my daily routine or diet. It has been 2 1/2 years since being nuked and still zero side effects.
Posted 6/21/2018 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
I've had pain in my rectal area in the last few months but I really doubt that it has anything to do with salvage radiation. I have an appointment with a GI Doc in a few days and I'm going to ask him if there's any correlation.
Posted 6/21/2018 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
my SE after salvage radiation 3 yrs ago:
-occasional leak if squad or sitting flat for couple of mins
-occasionally has to clear bowels on 2 or 3 times a day.
problems only started 1 yrs+ after SRT.
Posted 6/22/2018 8:29 AM (GMT 0)
I had my adjuvant radiation a bit over 4 years ago. For the following 12 months I suffered with moderate proctitis with periods of real urgency and mild leakage. Bowel movements were very irregular - previously I had been very regular and comfortable with all BM’s.

I saw a gastroenterologist who performed a colonoscopy and cauterized some of the most severe areas. Immediately after that everything returned to normal and now I have no bowel issues and have very comfortable bum!
Posted 6/22/2018 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
Pre SRT one BM per day - after 2 -3 BM's -

Approximately 15 months following SRT blood at times in urine when straining for BM. URO thinks radiation damage to bladder.

Happy to report CT scan yesterday showed no tumors or other suspicious areas.

If radiation killed cancer, to be determined, I'll be happy to live with above SE's.

Bobby Mac
Posted 6/22/2018 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
I’m really surprised to read about all these intermediate and long term side effects, after being told by my rRO that chances of side effects beyond a month or two after completing SRT were “less than 1%” and very rare with the new machines
Posted 6/22/2018 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
I was unlucky in that I had immediate bowel irritation after the first week of IMRT and it has continued since for the last two years. It also caused a small bowel blockage which was a horrible experience. I have recently had a colonoscopy because I had a small amount of blood in my stool. Turns out I have some radiation proctitus to add to my radiation enteritis. I have been with a GI doc at UCLA since to help but the bouts of constipation and diarrhea continue. There are times I think it is subsiding or maybe I am getting used to my new normal. I have talked to a few radiation oncologist and they tell me I seem to be one of the unlucky ones and maybe I must of had something lurking and The radiation triggered it... it can’t be the radiation, right? Take care. -JR
Posted 6/22/2018 1:07 PM (GMT 0)

Bobby Mac said...
Approximately 15 months following SRT blood at times in urine when straining for BM. URO thinks radiation damage to bladder.


Hey Bobby Mac, I'm glad you posted! Is the "Calling all pT3 Club" (The Horse Has Left The Barn Boys) still active? I was initiated over a year ago, and the thread seems to have ended there. I recently mentioned it to another new T3b'er but wasn't sure. It seems our big brothers (the G9/10 group) is more active.


Pratoman said...
I’m really surprised to read about all these intermediate and long term side effects, after being told by my RO that chances of side effects beyond a month or two after completing SRT were “less than 1%” and very rare with the new machines


Yeah, especially hearing about it here on HW!

No one ever mentioned it before I started RT, but my RO shrugged his shoulder as said "some bowel disruption is to be expected". Really? REALLY???


CaliJR said...
it can’t be the radiation, right?


Yup... anyone who has had radiation will tell you that radiation has no SE's. eyes

BTW, I'm sorry to read about your experience JR. Is the .22 PSA your nadir... is it stable? I see you've been thru just about everything already.
Posted 6/22/2018 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Rob, my nadir is 0.03... I’m one year post ADT and it has been slowly progressing up, however I stalled on last PSA so there is hope. -JR
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply