[Radiofrequency ablation effectively treats chronic radiation proctitis]

Chronic radiation proctitis can develop after radiation therapy of pelvic malignancies. Symptoms include haematochezia, diarrhoea, tenesmus, urgency, faecal incontinence, and rectal pain. Various therapies have been attempted with argon plasma coagulation (APC) currently being the treatment of choice, but complications such as ulceration and stricture are commonly encountered. There are limited data suggesting that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be an effective alternative to APC, in particular in transfusion-dependent patients. Here we report two cases of chronic radiation proctitis, one of whom was transfusion-dependent, who were safely and successfully treated with focal RFA. Haematochezia decreased significantly the day subsequent to treatment, and transfusion independence was achieved after a single session. Three to four sessions were required to eradicate the neovascular lesions. Post-therapeutic rectal re-epithelialisation occurred, and no bleeding was encountered during up to nine months of follow-up.