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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:34
Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies
Published on: February 6, 2019
Treatment of radiation proctitis
1Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK. keith.leiper@rlbuht.nhs.uk
Clinical Oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain))
|August 31, 2007
Summary
Chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) is a common complication after pelvic radiotherapy. Evidence-based treatment is challenging due to limited high-quality studies, but thermal therapies show promise.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Radiation Oncology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Late complications of pelvic radiotherapy affect 5-20% of patients, with chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) being particularly prevalent.
- Rectal bleeding, tenesmus, and loss of rectal distensibility are common symptoms of CRP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current treatment options for chronic radiation proctitis.
- To evaluate the evidence base for various CRP therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on CRP treatments.
- Analysis of uncontrolled, non-blinded, single-site observation studies.
- Assessment of treatment efficacy and safety profiles.
Main Results:
- Limited high-quality, adequately powered studies exist for CRP treatment.
- Oral therapies (5-aminosalicylates, metronidazole) and rectal instillation (hydrocortisone, sucralfate, formalin) are used.
- Thermal therapies (argon plasma coagulation, heater probe) demonstrate effectiveness and safety, with a pragmatic approach often involving sucralfate enemas and oral metronidazole.
Conclusions:
- Evidence-based recommendations for CRP treatment are difficult due to study limitations.
- Thermal therapies, particularly heater probe and argon plasma coagulation, are preferred for their safety.
- Hyperbaric oxygen may be considered for refractory cases.
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