Colonoscopy yesterday - radiation scarring

Had #4 or #5 colonoscopy yesterday and my GI Doc knows about my adventures with PCa - vis-a-vis possible impact of radiation on my colon. He did mention seeing some scarring due to radiation. I have a follow-up appointment with him in a week or two and I'll ask about what he observed in more detail, I was a little groggy when I saw him after the procedure.

Scarring in the colon is somewhat common post RT. In some guys it's a problem, but for some it's just a note in the health record. I had to have a little laser treatment for it.

The question for you GI is did he do anything to it? Or does he think it will need treatment? Or was he just being complete in his reporting?

Andrew

Hey John sounds like all is well. That's great.

I will be having my 5 year colonoscopy a week from today.

Roger

May all beings be well and free from animosity.

Interesting comments, thanks to all. He only observed and reported thank goodness - no polyps this time which means I should be at a five year interval for the next one.

This Doc performed a colonoscopy on me before radiation so he has a good pre and post idea of my colon health.

John_TX -
Brother in arms... sorry to hear about the positive read, especially as it's been several years since your ART. I too recently had colonoscopy #4 or 5 (lost count) and came back + for radiation colitis, which I understand to be a step above the more common radiation proctitis. My GI only said that it should clear up "with time" but did not give any sort of time frame.

But he did take a biopsy to check for any malignancy, which was negative. Some here questioned the need for a biopsy (I had no say in it)... which makes me wonder about the post by "hrpufnstuf" below. I had made a valiant effort to squeeze in a colonoscopy before starting RT... along with all the other treatments I had going on at the time. What a whirlwind that was.

Anyway, my RO was very specific about the length of time that would be required for healing between colo and RT and between RT and colo, and he coordinated with my gastroenterologist as well. So I'm fairly certain that (hopefully!) no harm was done by the biopsy. Results of the colo is that I won't need another one for seven years (whoopee!) but will still need endoscopies every two years for esophagus. At least they will only be one end at a time for the next few years.

hrpufnstuf said...
It's been reported here before and probably worth a reminder that colonoscopies after EBRT can cause serious problems if the GI doc takes biopsies in an area of telangiectasia ... I faxed the letter from my RO advising the GI doc of the potential harm and not to take a biopsy without prior consultation.

hrpufnstuf, I had not heard this beforehand. Is there an online reference for this? To your knowledge, was the six month waiting period post-RT likely to be sufficient in my case? I don't know whether or not I actually had talladaganights, just radiation colitis. Thanks.

John: Hope your follow up shows that the scaring you speak of is of little to no future concern.

According to the late Dr. Grimm "cauterization" can be problematic and should be discussed with your gastro doc. He did not mention biopsies but I will surely add it to my upcoming colonoscopy consult.

I wonder how polyps are removed without damaging a potentially more fragile colon? I seem to remember asking my new RO about this. He told me that the rectum is much closer to the once radiated prostate than the colon and thus was less of a worry during colonoscopies.

I'm wondering if adjuvant radiation has less collateral side effects than radiation as a primary treatment? Lucky me, I have an anal fissure that I think will need to be dealt with. Sigh.

"I'm wondering if adjuvant radiation has less collateral side effects than radiation as a primary treatment? Lucky me, I have an anal fissure that I think will need to be dealt with. Sigh."

with the prostate removed there is no target. my doctor was against surgery because he knew I had a better than average chance of needing SRT if we went that route.

I just wanted to add something to what hrputnstuf said. My husband had brachytherapy in Feb of 2017. His oncologist said he was not to have a colonoscopy for at least a year. We just saw the oncologist last week and asked if it was okay to schedule colonoscopy now. He said okay but that we were to tell surgeon not to do any biopsies in prostate area. He said there would be inflammation and perhaps scar tissue and that a biopsy would seriously impede my husband's recovery. The oncologist said he was telling us this because he had a patient that this had just happened to. And that the man's recovery had been put back two years. He is providing a letter to the GP scheduling colonoscopy but because what of what hrputnstuf has said we will also ask for surgeon to sign letter acknowledging the oncologist's concerns and return signed copy to us.

Post Edited (rickmav) : 8/20/2018 6:16:42 PM (GMT-6)

RobLee said...
John_TX -

hrpufnstuf said...
It's been reported here before and probably worth a reminder that colonoscopies after EBRT can cause serious problems if the GI doc takes biopsies in an area of telangiectasia ... I faxed the letter from my RO advising the GI doc of the potential harm and not to take a biopsy without prior consultation.

hrpufnstuf, I had not heard this beforehand. Is there an online reference for this? To your knowledge, was the six month waiting period post-RT likely to be sufficient in my case? I don't know whether or not I actually had talladaganights, just radiation colitis. Thanks.

Rob, my RO recently told me not to have a colonoscopy for at least 6 months to a year after my RT as well as the colon walls are sensitive and not ready for a scope down there (paraphrasing of course)! I also was not allowed to have rectal spacer (thanks insurance carrier) which makes it more important for NO COLONOSCOPY in the near future. My RO also asked that he be consulted by the GI doc before proceeding.