Radiation proctitis overview
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Overview
Radiation proctitis is inflammation and damage to the lower parts of the colon after exposure to x-rays or other ionizing radiation as a part of radiation therapy. Radiation proctitis most commonly occurs after treatment for cancers such as cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Radiation proctitis involves the lower intestine, primarily the sigmoid colon and the rectum.The rectum is at risk of injury during pelvic irradiation because of its fixed position and close proximity to target organs.
Historical Perspective
Classification
Based on the duration of symptoms, Radiation proctitis may be classified as either acute or chronic.[1]
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Radiation proctitis overview from Other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Common risk factors in the development of Radiation proctitis include include dose of radiation, area of the radiation and mode of delivery of the radiation.[3]
Screening
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
Natural History
Complications
Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
The most common symptoms of Radiation proctitis include mild diarrhea, tenesmus, fecal urgency and mucus discharge. Less common symptoms of radiation proctitis include abdominal pain,constipation,severe diarrhea and rectal bleeding.[4]
Physical Examination
Patients with radiation proctitis may appear pale and dehydrated. Some patients may appear fatigued and in distress, associated with abdominal pain.
Laboratory Findings
The laboratory findings in a patient with acute radiation proctitis can be within reference range however, in case of chronic injury anemia, elevated white blood cell, deranged LFTs and electrolyte abnormalities can be seen.
Imaging Findings
Barium studies can be done in patients who have obstructive symptoms or those suspected of having fistulas.
Other Diagnostic Studies
Other diagnostic studies such as colonoscopy, tissue biopsy and histological analysis can help with the diagnosis of radiation proctitis.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Acute radiation proctitis is a self limiting condition and treated conservatively however in 20% of cases undergoing external beam radiation will require short interruptions in their treatment to improve symptoms.In case of chronic radiation proctitis treatment usually depends upon the severity and pattern of the symptoms.[5][6]
Surgery
Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for patients with radiation proctitis.However it is usually reserved as a last resort for patients with refractory symptoms and complications.[7][8]
Prevention
Primary prevention of radiation proctitis can be done by the modifications of radiation techniques and doses or by use of prophylactic adjunct medical and surgical therapies.[9][10]
References
- ↑ Schultheiss TE, Lee WR, Hunt MA, Hanlon AL, Peter RS, Hanks GE (1997). "Late GI and GU complications in the treatment of prostate cancer". Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 37 (1): 3–11. PMID 9054871.
- ↑ Babb RR (1996). "Radiation proctitis: a review". Am J Gastroenterol. 91 (7): 1309–11. PMID 8677984.
- ↑ Housri N, Yarchoan R, Kaushal A (2010). "Radiotherapy for patients with the human immunodeficiency virus: are special precautions necessary?". Cancer. 116 (2): 273–83. doi:10.1002/cncr.24878. PMC 3409663. PMID 20014399.
- ↑ Babb RR (1996). "Radiation proctitis: a review". Am J Gastroenterol. 91 (7): 1309–11. PMID 8677984.
- ↑ Andreev VC (1975). "[Ljuben Popoff 1891-1975]". Hautarzt. 26 (11): 616. PMID 1107270.
- ↑ Ehrenpreis ED, Jani A, Levitsky J, Ahn J, Hong J (2005). "A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of retinol palmitate (vitamin A) for symptomatic chronic radiation proctopathy". Dis Colon Rectum. 48 (1): 1–8. PMID 15690650.
- ↑ Wu XR, Liu XL, Katz S, Shen B (2015). "Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of ulcerative proctitis, chronic radiation proctopathy, and diversion proctitis". Inflamm Bowel Dis. 21 (3): 703–15. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000000227. PMID 25687266.
- ↑ Lucarotti ME, Mountford RA, Bartolo DC (1991). "Surgical management of intestinal radiation injury". Dis Colon Rectum. 34 (10): 865–9. PMID 1914719.
- ↑ Hille A, Christiansen H, Pradier O, Hermann RM, Siekmeyer B, Weiss E; et al. (2005). "Effect of pentoxifylline and tocopherol on radiation proctitis/enteritis". Strahlenther Onkol. 181 (9): 606–14. doi:10.1007/s00066-005-1390-y. PMID 16170489.
- ↑ Fonteyne V, De Neve W, Villeirs G, De Wagter C, De Meerleer G (2007). "Late radiotherapy-induced lower intestinal toxicity (RILIT) of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer: the need for adapting toxicity scales and the appearance of the sigmoid colon as co-responsible organ for lower intestinal toxicity". Radiother Oncol. 84 (2): 156–63. doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2007.06.013. PMID 17692976.