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Colonscopy, concerns and worries!

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Posted 11/7/2021 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I am 68 and past due by several years for a colonoscopy. I had a prostatectomy around nine years ago and salvage radiation two years afterward, (IMRT/IGRT – 38 treatments of 1.2 grays =72.0 grays). I have been very fortunate that I haven’t had any side effects from either the prostatectomy and from the radiation.

As per the radiation oncologist, I will inform the gastroenterologist not to take any biopsies from the affected area of the rectum. But I am concerned that the procedure might stir the hornets’ nest and cause rectal problems.

What if there is a need to take a biopsy from the radiation-affected region. What are the ramifications of such a procedure? Has anyone had a biopsy taken from the radiation-affected region? Is the radiation-affected area thinner than the non-affected regions?

I believe this will be my last colonoscopy; in the future, I will probably use the Cologuard system.
Posted 11/8/2021 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
lapilot,

Concerned about this, too, from a different slant -- my five year scope is due fall of next year, but I am also thinking may need SRT sometime next year. Discussed with PCP and he agrees should do the scope first. At least then I would have five years to heal over any radiation burns. My uncle went through that and was pretty tragically affected by the radiation.

He said I would not qualify for the cologuard but would need the gastro's scope deal (I go under anesthesia for mine) because I have had some polyps in past (all benign) but just one polyp last time. Don't mind too much as in past I have been given four, count'em FOUR, different flavors to choose from when mixing the laxative for night before procedure. Pineapple is the best. Yum. Live, love, laugh. Laugh a lot when you can.
Posted 11/8/2021 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I think the amount of radiation damage can vary a lot. I found an old thread, don’t let it scare you.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=2470677

Most doctors that do colonoscopies should know the basics about radiation damage but I would certainly discuss with them prior to the procedure. I have a couple of years before my next one as I had one before surgery but am on the five year plan due to previous polyps.
Posted 11/8/2021 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
I had radiation in 2013 (primary, not salvage) and I have had four colonoscopies since then, three of which included removing polyps and subsequent biopsy. (Somehow I managed a clean scope earlier this year for the first time.) I had zero issues with the colonoscopies affecting anything, at least by measuring PSA. In fact, I'm not aware of any differences between my pre-radiation and post-radiation colonoscopies.
Posted 11/8/2021 8:20 AM (GMT 0)
If there is a need for a biopsy...you've got bigger problems don't you?

Odds are real good that your Gastro Doc will be able to take care of you....

On the bright side, first time I went to a dermatologist, he talked me into doing a biopsy on $everal $pot$.... Second time I went, I mentioned that he seemed to have a fancy name for each spot... He said he did.... I asked if a biopsy was normally needed. He said NO..... I said then SKIP the darn biopsy. LOL
Posted 11/8/2021 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Just finished my second round of radiation treatments last March - 106 Gy split between salvage to the pelvic lymph nodes and 3 pelvic lymph node mets. First round of RT was prostate bed & surround for 70 Gy 9 years ago after RP. Total radiation to date is 176 Gy.

2 weeks ago I got a 5 year colonoscopy as I had a polyp last time. Told the doc of the recent radiation. No problems, no polyps and no visible radiation damage, 5 - 7 years before the next one. "Everything looks fine." Got pics to prove it too.....

Got props for the prep too, as I went real light on meals the week before prep day and ate almost nothing the day before prep day. "Clean as a whistle." smile
Posted 11/8/2021 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have had three colonoscopies since my radiation therapy eleven years ago. My gastroenterologist reported no abnormalities or damage from radiation. The first two (2015 and 2018) had polyps removed. The last one in 2020 was clear and I am back on a five year schedule.

I asked him about radiation damage and radiation induced bowel cancer. He said he has only seen a few instances where he suspected an abnormality was related to Radiation treatment. He said the radiation improvements in the last 20 years have been amazing at mitigating collateral damage to benign tissue. He has not seen any medically radiation induced cancer in his 25 years of practice. He says it is very rare, difficult to prove and wouldn't even show up for 15 to 20 years after the radiation.

As others have said, let your doc know the details of your radiation. Hopefully all will be fine. And if you wouldn’t allow polyp removals and biopsy, why have a colonoscopy?
Posted 11/8/2021 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
lapilot, I had my first post SRT colonoscopy 3 months ago. It was 2 years after the end of SRT. No issues. My Gastro told me that if there is radiation damage, it is usually in the rectum area, not deep into the colon. As it turned out i had one polyp , not in the rectal area, it was biopsied and negative, and the Gastro said he did not see any radiation damage, which amazed me (and made me happy LOL)
Posted 11/8/2021 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
I've had several colonoscopies since SRT, without problems, and they always take a bunch of biopsies while they are in there.

I think you'll be fine.
Posted 11/8/2021 11:50 PM (GMT 0)

Have had chemotherapy infusions and 45 radiation treatments.

I had a colonoscopy this summer ---- it was timely, as two polyps were removed --- they were verging on "worrisome" ---- so the colonoscopy was timely.

Share your past treatments with your gastroenterologist.

Peace of mind --- getting things taken care of!

With my best ---
CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University
Posted 11/12/2021 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Guys,

Thank you for the encouragement! I met with my oncologist urologist and he said to go ahead with the colonoscopy. That I am at no greater risk of complications from the procedure than anybody else would be.
Posted 11/13/2021 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Lapilot...make the last one the last one...eat oat meal every day....check your stool once and a while...and do all the other stuff ....ya know stuff that anyone that is not punishing himself for his sins would do...go...play have fun...live your life...we are all terminal...life is...death is not...
Posted 11/14/2021 2:35 AM (GMT 0)

lapilot said...
Guys,

Thank you for the encouragement! I met with my oncologist urologist and he said to go ahead with the colonoscopy. That I am at no greater risk of complications from the procedure than anybody else would be.

i had my first ever colonoscopy about a year after treatment. i had the same concerns. the colonoscopy came back clean and the doctor noted no radiation damage. hey i'm due for my second colonoscopy now
Posted 11/14/2021 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
My dad had a large cancerous tumor in his colon at 58 years old and wore a bag for his last 25 years so I definitely don’t want colon cancer. His prostate cancer (he had 6-7 cancers and died with untreated lung cancer) was like a mild blip on the screen compared to the others.

I’ve had two colonoscopies since my HDR with no problems. I think I had one polyp removed but no biopsy.
Posted 11/15/2021 1:05 PM (GMT 0)

Good news, LAPILOT ----

That's good news from your medical team --- that's your GREEN LIGHT for "takin' care of business" & scheduling that colonoscopy.

I just finished one up this past summer. I felt that the preparation medications had improved since my last procedure.

One evening of preparation --- but, all in all, things went well.

Peace of mind, afterwards!

Posts like these encourage all of us to take care of all aspects of our health!

Get 'r done --- and start looking ahead to the NEW YEAR ahead!

Best to you, LAPILOT!

CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University
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