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Blood in Stools post SBRT 1.5 year later

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Posted 12/13/2018 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I had a SBRT in 4/2017. I got typical blood in stools for about 3 weeks afterwards, then I have no more blood in stools until 11/2018. I am having blood in stools everyday for about 5 weeks. I just did a colonoscopy to find out where the bleeding came from. GI doctor said it came from the colon lining. The original lining was gone, the blood vessels are on the surface of colon now. Those blood vessels are easily broken and cause the bleeding. He thinks this kind of bleeding will be permanent. Did anybody hear this kind of complication before? What is your advice? Thanks.

Larry
Posted 12/13/2018 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Chronic rectal bleeding is one of the most common complications of radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

https://ro-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-717x-7-87

Bobby Mac
Posted 12/13/2018 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
yup, got that all the time.

It's cleared up in the last few years.

Andrew
Posted 12/13/2018 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bobby Mac,

Thanks for the article. I was aware of acute rectal bleeding, but not aware of late rectal bleeding. My colonoscopy photos do show that I have some kind of radiation proctitis. Too bad! Hopefully it will go away in months or years?

Larry
Posted 12/13/2018 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Intheshop,

You said you had the blood in stool all the time, then it cleared up few years ago. Did you take any medication (like suppository) or it just healed itself over time?

Thanks,

Larry
Posted 12/13/2018 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
I developed blood my urine from SRT, which my urologist feels the bladder was burnt from the radiation. Only happens when I have to strain taking a poop!

Bobby Mac
Posted 12/13/2018 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Ask your GI doctor if Canasa suppositories might help. They have for me.
Posted 12/14/2018 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
I used the suppositories for awhile. Had a bit of laser treatment in the colon for radiation proctitis and use miralax daily to prevent constipation.

and drink lots of water - no sodas or sugary drinks.
Posted 12/14/2018 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
You probably have Telangiectasia as a result of your radiation treatment. It is not an uncommon occurrence. My RO provide me with a letter to give to my GI doctor for the next time I had a colonoscopy. In the letter he cautioned the doctor not to take biopsies without consulting him first. Removing polyps was okay, but biopsies could cause serious damage. I did have a colonoscopy a few years after my radiation treatment and the GI doctor showed me pictures of my Telangiectasia. I did have some rectal bleeding after the first 6 months following treatment that lasted about 6 months but none since.
Posted 12/14/2018 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
One year out from SBRT and NEVER a drop of blood in my stool.

Roger
Posted 12/14/2018 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
It takes about 3 years after radiation treatment ends for the full side effects (nadir) to show. My radiation side effect nadir was a rough ride for sure, lasted around 2 months.

Radiation is indeed the gift that just keeps right on giving. Got intermittent rectal bleeding when I was a Longshoreman in 1968 so I have had that for 50 years now.

Radiation has...enhanced that significantly for the last 6 years. Daily small bleeds, maybe every other week a decent rectal bleed.

However, it seems to have at least helped kick the can down the road a bit. wink
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