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Treatment of Proctitis With Radiation

When the lining of the rectum becomes inflamed, it is known as proctitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of roctitis include frequent urges to have a bowel movement, rectal bleeding or pain, pain the lower left abdomen or small amounts of frequent diarrhea. Although sexually transmitted diseases are the most common cause of proctitis, radiation therapy in the rectal area such as treatment for prostate or cervical cancer also causes a non-infectious version of proctitis.

  1. No Treatment

    • Many mild cases of non-infectious proctitis require little or no treatment at all. The Mayo Clinic says these symptoms will often clear up on their own in a short time, However, more severe cases involving bleeding will require further treatment.

    Iron Supplements

    • If bleeding becomes a continuous problem with proctitis, then an iron supplement may be required to prevent iron deficiency and anemia. The National Institutes of Health recommend that adult men take 8 milligrams of iron per day, while adult women are recommended to have 18 milligrams per day. A regimen of iron supplements could be necessary as long as the problem persists. Extended symptoms may require ablation therapy if they do not clear up on their own in a relatively short time.

    Ablation Therapy

    • Ablation therapy is used to stop the bleeding of abnormal tissue and may involve laser therapy and argon plasma coagulation, according to the Mayo Clinic.
      Thermal ablation laser therapy uses a laser of high-frequency radio waves to create intense heat that will close off targeted blood vessels, according to The Cleveland Clinic. Argon plasma coagulation employs argon gas and an electric current to coagulate blood and stop bleeding without actually touching the source.

    Enemas

    • According to WebMD, studies have shown that one of the most effective treatments for radiation-induced proctitis is the use of sucralfate enemas used twice daily for three months. Sucralfate is an aluminum complex that protects the mucous lining of the rectum from ulceration, according to the National Institutes of Health.
      Steroid enemas, such as hydrocortisone, are effective as well, and are superior in relieving proctitis symptoms and bleeding. Butyrate enemas, which are a short-chain fatty acid enema, have been effective against other forms of proctitis, but are not recommended as highly to treat radiation-induced proctitis.

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