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Chronic radiation proctitis.

BACKGROUND: Increasing use of radiation therapy in pelvic malignancy has led to an increase in the incidence of chronic radiation proctitis. The commonest presenting complaint is rectal bleeding. METHODS: A comprehensive MEDLINE search was undertaken for all articles relating to radiation proctitis. RESULTS: The natural history of the disease is poorly documented but improvement is likely in milder forms, with persistence of symptoms in more severe forms. The pathological manifestations of the disease are summarized with particular comparison to acute radiation proctitis. The common clinical presentations and the principles of assessing patients with radiation-induced proctitis will be reviewed. The present article also reviews current treatment options, with particular reference to newer endoscopic therapies and surgical principles of management. CONCLUSIONS: The initial therapy for problematic rectal bleeding related to radiation-induced proctitis shoud be endoscopic therapy with argon plasma coagulation or topical formalin therapy. Surgery is reserved as a last resort for resistant rectal bleeding and for complicated radiation-induced strictures and fistulas.

Acute Disease↗

Treatment of radiation proctitis with argon plasma coagulation.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Radiation proctitis is a troublesome complication of pelvic irradiation for malignancy. One common and occasionally serious complication is rectal bleeding. Therapeutic options for this condition are limited. This study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in the treatment of rectal bleeding due to radiation proctitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients referred for treatment of rectal bleeding due to radiation proctitis were offered APC during flexible sigmoidoscopy. Data were collected retrospectively to assess patients' response to treatment. Patients were asked to score overall well-being, bleeding, fecal urgency, incontinence, and stool frequency. Transfusion requirements and nadir hemoglobin before and after treatment were also recorded. Matched data were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: Rectal bleeding improved significantly after treatment with APC (median pre-treatment score = 3, median post-treatment score = 1; P<0.001). Transfusion requirements ceased in three patients who had previously been anemic. Hemoglobin levels increased from a mean of 108 g/l to 133 g/l in 13 patients. In addition, other parameters of bowel function, including urgency, incontinence, and stool frequency, improved significantly after treatment. Two patients developed rectal strictures after therapy, but these were asymptomatic and treated with rectal dilation. No other complications were observed. CONCLUSION: APC improved patient well-being and significantly reduced rectal bleeding in patients with radiation proctitis. Transfusion requirements were also reduced. APC is useful and safe in patients in whom radiation proctitis is refractory to other treatments.

Aged↗

Clinical outcome of ulcerative proctitis in children.

BACKGROUND: Although the course of ulcerative proctitis in adults has been well described, little data are available concerning its clinical behavior in children and adolescents. This study sought to characterize the presentation, response to therapy, and long-term course of ulcerative proctitis in the pediatric population. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at five pediatric gastroenterology centers. RESULTS: A total of 38 subjects (mean age 11.6 years) were identified with ulcerative proctitis (mean follow-up 4.3 years). Symptoms were mild at diagnosis in 74% and moderate or severe in 26%. Thirty-two percent had a complaint of constipation at presentation. Cessation of symptoms was noted in 68% within 3 months of therapy, an additional 24% within 6 months, and 8% were still symptomatic despite 6 months of therapy. During any subsequent yearly follow-up interval, -55% of patients were asymptomatic, 40% had a chronic intermittent course, and < 5% were continuously symptomatic despite therapy. Eight subjects were treated with oral corticosteroids, one with 6-mercaptopurine, and one with cyclosporine. Extension of inflammation proximal to the rectosigmoid occurred in 11 of 38 subjects (29%), 0.5-11.3 years postdiagnosis. Seven of the 13 subjects (54%) followed for > or = 5 years had proximal extension of disease, and two had undergone colectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a mild presentation in most subjects, ulcerative proctitis seems to have a high risk of proximal extension of disease. The overall response to therapy seems to be similar to that reported for ulcerative colitis in children. Follow-up endoscopic evaluation of patients with ulcerative proctitis seems warranted, especially in the setting of recurrent or recalcitrant symptoms.

Adolescent↗

Increased intraluminal release of eosinophil granule proteins EPO, ECP, EPX, and cytokines in ulcerative colitis and proctitis in segmental perfusion.

OBJECTIVE: The role of the eosinophil granulocyte in bowel mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease still remains obscure. The present study was performed in order to elucidate the local eosinophil activity and activating cytokines in the inflamed lesions of colon and rectum in patients with ulcerative colitis and proctitis. METHODS: The activity of intestinal eosinophils with respect to the release of granule proteins was studied in 18 patients (10 with colitis and 8 with isolated proctitis) and 18 healthy controls, using intraluminal segmental perfusion of the sigmoid colon and rectum. The released amounts of eosinophil granule proteins: eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), and eosinophil protein X (EPX) to perfusion fluid were determined by radioimmunoassays. The intraluminal release of possible eosinophil priming cytokines granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 8 (IL-8), were analyzed by immunoassays. RESULTS: The mucosal release of ECP, EPO, and EPX was increased 10- to 20-fold in patients with colitis and proctitis compared with controls. The intraluminal release of GM-CSF and IL-8, was several-fold enhanced in patients with colitis and proctitis. We also found a correlation between all three eosinophil granule proteins and the levels of IL-8/GM-CSF in the sigmoidal segments of patients with colitis. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the increased release of ECP, EPO, and EPX to colorectal perfusion fluid indicate eosinophil involvement in the local disease in patients with colitis and proctitis. IL-8 and GM-CSF may play a role in eosinophil accumulation and priming in colitis.

Adult↗

A prospective randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded pilot study of misoprostol rectal suppositories in the prevention of acute and chronic radiation proctitis symptoms in prostate cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Radiation proctitis is a known complication of radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Available medical treatment is usually ineffective and has focused on relieving symptoms after damage has occurred. Our study aimed at evaluating the use of misoprostol rectal suppositories in the prevention of acute as well as chronic radiation proctitis symptoms. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial was conducted in patients with recently diagnosed stages B and C prostate cancer who underwent external beam irradiation. Patients received either a misoprostol or a placebo suppository 1 h before each radiation session. Misoprostol suppositories were made from two 200-microg tablets (Cytotec, Searle Pharmaceuticals, Skokie, IL), whereas the placebo was made from cocoa butter. A 12-point radiation proctitis symptom score was obtained from each patient at 4, 8, 12, and 36 wk after radiation therapy. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were enrolled. Seven patients received placebo, and nine patients received misoprostol. Mean radiation proctitis symptom scores in the placebo group were 4.86, 5.86, 5.71, and 3.83 at 4, 8, 12, and 36 wk, respectively. The mean scores in the misoprostol group were 0.78, 0.67, 0.33, and 0.37 at 4, 8, 12, and 36 wk, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05) at 4, 8, 12, and 36 wk. CONCLUSION: Misoprostol rectal suppositories significantly reduce acute and chronic radiation proctitis symptoms in patients receiving radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Acute Disease↗

Human neutrophil lipocalin is a unique marker of neutrophil inflammation in ulcerative colitis and proctitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Accumulation and infiltration by neutrophil granulocytes is a prominent feature in the local inflammatory process in ulcerative colitis (UC). The present study was performed to evaluate human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) as a specific neutrophil marker in the inflamed lesions of the colon and rectum in patients with colitis and proctitis. METHODS: The activity of intestinal neutrophils with respect to release of granule proteins was studied in 18 patients with UC (10 with colitis and eight with isolated proctitis) and in 18 healthy controls using perfusion fluid and biopsies from the sigmoid colon and rectum. The released amounts of the neutrophil granule proteins HNL and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined by radioimmunoassays, and the location of HNL and MPO in biopsies from colonic mucosa was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Mucosal release of HNL and MPO was increased 10-55-fold in patients with colitis and proctitis compared with controls. Their bowel biopsies demonstrated that only neutrophils were stained with anti-HNL. We also found correlations between HNL and levels of granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in perfusion fluids from the sigmoidal segments of patients with proctitis, between HNL and GM-CSF in rectal segments in patients with proctitis, and in sigmoidal segments in patients with colitis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the increased release of HNL and MPO in colorectal perfusion fluids indicates neutrophil involvement in the local inflammatory process, and suggest that HNL may serve as a specific marker of intestinal neutrophil activation in UC. GM-CSF, and to some extent IL-8, may play a role in neutrophil accumulation and priming in this disease.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Proctitis in homosexual men. A diagnostic problem.

One hundred and seventy six men with histories of anal intercourse were studied to determine if there was a correlation between the clinical features, cytological findings in the mucosal secretions, and the histological appearance of the rectal mucosa. The presence or absence of gastrointestinal symptoms did not differentiate between patients with and without proctitis. Sigmoidoscopy was normal in each of the 117 men with normal rectal histology. Macroscopic abnormalities were evident in the mucosa of nine of 11 men with infective proctitis, and sigmoidoscopy was normal in 40 of the 48 men with chronic proctitis. Cytological examination was often useful in detecting infective proctitis but not chronic proctitis.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of radiation-induced proctitis with sucralfate enemas.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of radiation-induced proctitis treated with sucralfate enemas. CASE SUMMARY: A 77-year-old white woman was transferred from an acute care institution to our inpatient rehabilitation unit with impaired mobility and reduced activities of daily living. Her condition was secondary to myopathy and peripheral neuropathy associated with postradiation chemotherapy and metastatic ovarian carcinoma. During her stay, she developed hematochezia and pain secondary to a diagnosis of radiation-induced proctitis. Her hemoglobin had reached a nadir of 7.3 g/dL. The patient received blood transfusions and was started on 10% w/v sucralfate retention enemas 2 g/20 mL daily for 12 consecutive days. She was symptom-free at discharge, with a stable hemoglobin of approximately 10 g/dL. DISCUSSION: Proctitis is a common adverse effect of radiotherapy to the lower abdomen and pelvic area. Sucralfate is an aluminum complex that acts as a local cytoprotective agent against ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosal lining. Rectal administration of sucralfate, as described in our patient and reported in published case studies, may provide an alternative therapy for patients with radiation-induced proctitis. CONCLUSIONS: Sucralfate suspension enemas provide a viable treatment option in patients who are intolerant of, refractory to, or not candidates for standard therapy for radiation-induced proctitis.

Aged↗

Evaluation of short-chain fatty acid enemas: treatment of radiation proctitis.

BACKGROUND: Radiation proctitis is a common complication of abdominal and pelvic radiotherapy; unfortunately, there is no established effective therapy for radiation proctitis. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) have been effectively used to treat a variety of colitides. We sought to determine whether SCFA enemas have a role in the treatment of radiation proctitis. METHODS: Seven patients completed an open-labeled, pilot study to evaluate the effect of SCFA on clinical, endoscopic, and pathological parameters of radiation proctitis. RESULTS: Four weeks of treatment with SCFA enemas resulted in clinical improvement in all patients. There were modest, but not significant, changes in endoscopic and pathological parameters. CONCLUSION: SCFA are a promising therapeutic option in radiation proctitis.

Adult↗

Formalin instillation for refractory radiation-induced hemorrhagic proctitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Radiation proctitis is a common complication after pelvic irradiation. One to five percent of these patients will develop intractable or massive hemorrhagic radiation proctitis that will require repeated hospital admissions and blood transfusions. We evaluated the benefits of instillation of 4% formalin in the management of refractory hemorrhagic radiation-induced proctitis. METHODS: From January 1998 to May 1999, 20 female patients who failed with administration of topical steroids and/or mesalazine were treated with 500 ml of 4% formalin instilled into the rectum in 50-ml aliquots. RESULTS: Median age was 58 years. Eighteen patients had cervical cancer and two, endometrial cancer. These patients received a mean of 7,500 rads to the pelvis. The symptoms began at a mean of 8 months after termination of radiotherapy. Median time of symptomatic rectal hemorrhage was 8 months. Median of blood units previously transfused was six (range: 2-11). Hemorrhage immediately ceased after the 4% formalin instillation in 17 patients. Three patients required formalin instillation repetition with success in one. Overall success was 90%. Median follow-up was 20 months. Five patients had moderate pelvic pain after instillation and one developed rectosigmoideal necrosis that required resection plus Hartmann procedure. Two patients developed rectovaginal fistula and required colostomy, and one thereafter, required abdominoperineal resection en bloc with the posterior wall of the vagina due to pelvis sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal instillation of 4% formalin is a simple, inexpensive, and efficient treatment for refractory hemorrhagic radiation proctitis.

Female↗

Effective use of argon plasma coagulation in the treatment of severe radiation proctitis.

PURPOSE: Chronic radiation proctitis, a well described complication of pelvic radiation therapy, can result in severe bleeding that is refractory to conventional treatment. Argon plasma coagulation is an effective treatment for hemorrhagic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation in the management of severe radiation proctitis resistant to medical treatment. METHODS: Eleven patients (10 males) aged between 54 and 86 years (mean +/- standard error of the mean, 73 +/- 3 years), with chronic radiation proctitis after radiotherapy for prostate (n = 9), uterine (n = 1) or rectal (n = 1) cancer were enrolled in this prospective study. Traditional therapies had failed including mainly topical steroids, 5-aminosalicylic acid and sometimes sucralfate. All patients had active bleeding from diffuse telangiectasias responsible for chronic anemia and seven of them required blood transfusions. The mean duration of the sessions was 20 minutes and one to five sessions (mean, 3.2 +/- 0.4), usually without anesthesia, were required to stop bleeding. Mean follow-up time was 19 +/- 2 (range, 7-30) months. RESULTS: Rectal bleeding disappeared in nine patients and was greatly reduced in two. All the patients were free of transfusions during the mean follow-up of 19 months. The mean hemoglobin level was 7.7 +/- 2.8 g/dl at the first session and increased significantly (P = 0.003) to 11.5 +/- 2.6 g/dl after treatment. In two patients, a rectal stenosis appeared 7 and 11 months after the first session. CONCLUSION: Argon plasma coagulation is a simple, inexpensive and effective treatment for severe refractory radiation proctitis with telangiectasias. Follow-up supervision is in progress to evaluate long term benefits and the risk of rectal stenosis.

Aged↗

Short chain fatty acids are effective in short-term treatment of chronic radiation proctitis: randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Short chain fatty acids are the main energy source of colonocytes and their use may be impaired in chronic radiation proctitis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of short chain fatty acid enemas in patients with chronic radiation proctitis. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial comparing short chain fatty acid enemas with placebo was conducted in 19 patients with chronic radiation proctitis. Short chain fatty acid enemas contained 60 mM sodium acetate, 30 mM sodium propionate, and 40 mM sodium butyrate. The treatment period lasted five weeks and patients were followed up for six months. RESULTS: On admission, both groups were similar regarding all parameters evaluated. After five weeks short chain fatty acid-treated patients showed a significant decrease in the number of days with rectal bleeding from the previous week (4.4+/-1.8 to 1.4+/-2.2; P = 0.001) and an improvement of endoscopic score (4.8+/-1.4 to 2.2+/-1.2; P = 0.001). Hemoglobin values were also significantly higher in short chain fatty acid-treated patients (13.1+/-0.9 g/dl vs. 10.7+/-2.1 g/dl; P = 0.02). Mucosal DNA and protein concentrations decreased in both groups but significantly so only in placebo-treated patients (P = 0.05). Changes in histologic parameters were not significant in either group. Although short chain fatty acid-treated patients did not get worse in the next six months, placebo-treated ones gradually improved, and at the end of six months, differences between the two groups were no longer observed. CONCLUSIONS: Short chain fatty acid enemas can accelerate the process of healing in chronic radiation proctitis, but treatment has to be continuous if a complete and sustained clinical, endoscopic, and histologic response is to be obtained.

Chronic Disease↗

Treatment of radiation proctitis with hyperbaric oxygen: what is the optimal number of HBO treatments?

AIM: Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in the treatment of radiation proctitis. The current literature was reviewed with regard to the necessary number of HBO treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two patients with proctitis after pelvic irradiation were treated with 40 and 38 HBO treatments, respectively. Hyperbaric oxygenation was delivered at 240 kPa over 90 min. RESULTS: In one patient, proctosigmoidoscopy showed a significant improvement after 40 HBO sessions. The other patient interrupted therapy after 38 HBO treatments without subjective change. The reported number of HBO sessions for a successful treatment of radiation proctitis ranges from 12 to 90. CONCLUSION: HBO should be considered before more invasive treatment modalities are performed for radiation proctitis.

Aged↗

Is there more than one late radiation proctitis syndrome?

PURPOSE: To investigate the significance of the various late rectal symptoms that appear after radical prostatic irradiation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with localised prostate cancer treated between 1987 and 1994 at the Mater Hospital, Newcastle with radical megavoltage irradiation were recalled for examination and to complete a detailed questionnaire concerning late radiation-induced symptoms and their effects on normal daily life. The influence of patient age treatment related variables and acute proctitis symptoms occurring during therapy or the late symptoms recorded were assessed and the relationship between late symptoms and late EORTC/RTOG score and impact on normal daily life were studied. RESULTS: The presence of symptoms of acute proctitis was the only factor to predict any of three late symptoms (urgency, frequency and diarrhoea) and late EORTC/RTOG score in this series (odds ratios: 1.7-2.57, P-values: 0.009-0.0007). Cluster and discriminant function analyses revealed the presence of five subgroups of patients with varying permutations of different late rectal symptoms, including one group with minimal symptoms (P < 0.0001). While bleeding and rectal discharge were the major contributors to late EORTC/RTOG score (P < 0.0001 and 0.04), faecal urgency and bleeding were the most important factors to impact on normal daily life (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0003). A relatively low concordance was found between late EORTC/RTOG score and the patients' self assessment on the effect of their symptoms on their normal daily lives. Some late symptoms, including bleeding and rectal discharge become less prevalent after 3 years of follow-up with a resulting improvement in EORTC/RTOG score. CONCLUSIONS: There may be more than one late (chronic) proctitis syndrome which may be linked in greater or lesser degrees to acute proctitis symptoms occurring during therapy. Urgency is a common late symptom which often has an important impact on normal daily life and deserves recognition in late normal tissue scoring systems. Assessment of the incidence of bleeding as a measure of late rectal morbidity following prostate irradiation may underestimate the impact of these chronic effects. Confirmatory studies are necessary.

Aged↗

A review of radiation proctitis in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Pelvic radiation is a common therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. A complication of this therapy, radiation proctitis, may be limited to the direct posttreatment period or it may appear as serious complications that occur months to years after therapy has been completed. Mucosal damage, present with both acute and chronic radiation proctitis, produces a variety of symptoms including mucoid diarrhea, pain upon defecation, serious rectal bleeding, stenosis, and fistula formation. The treatment of radiation proctitis is symptom related, and the goals of therapy include the prevention or correction of mucosal changes and eradication of rectal bleeding. This article will review the pathophysiology of radiation proctitis and its treatment.

Humans↗

Systematic review for non-surgical interventions for the management of late radiation proctitis.

Chronic radiation proctitis produces a range of clinical symptoms for which there is currently no recommended standard management. The aim of this review was to identify the various non-surgical treatment options for the management of late chronic radiation proctitis and evaluate the evidence for their efficacy. Synonyms for radiation therapy and for the spectrum of lower gastrointestinal radiation toxicity were combined in an extensive search strategy and applied to a range of databases. The included studies were those that involved interventions for the non-surgical management of late radiation proctitis. Sixty-three studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria, including six randomised controlled trials that described the effects of anti-inflammatory agents in combination, rectal steroids alone, rectal sucralfate, short chain fatty acid enemas and different types of thermal therapy. However, these studies could not be compared. If the management of late radiation proctitis is to become evidence based, then, in view of its episodic and variable nature, placebo controlled studies need to be conducted to clarify which therapeutic options should be recommended. From the current data, although certain interventions look promising and may be effective, one small or modest sized study, even if well-conducted, is insufficient to implement changes in practice. In order to increase recruitment to trials, a national register of cases with established late radiation toxicity would facilitate multi-centre trials with specific entry criteria, formal baseline and therapeutic assessments providing standardised outcome data.

Administration, Rectal↗

Formaldehyde application for haemorrhagic radiation-induced proctitis: a clinical and histological study.

OBJECTIVES: Haemorrhagic radiation-induced proctitis is a serious complication of radiotherapy of pelvic organs. In severe cases, massive haemorrhage may necessitate hospitalization and repeated transfusions. Application of formaldehyde under direct vision is one of the most efficient treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of this treatment as well as the histological changes induced by formaldehyde on the rectal mucosa. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1991 to September 2001, 13 patients who presented a haemorrhagic radiation-induced proctitis have been treated in our outpatient clinic with 4% formaldehyde cotton soaked applications. They were followed up to one year after the treatment. Endoscopic biopsies were performed before, immediately after the application, 1 month later, as well as at the one-year follow-up. RESULTS: In eight cases bleeding stopped after the first application. In two patients a second application was necessary to control the haemorrhage and in two other patients bleeding ceased definitively after the fourth application. Follow-up evaluation at 12 months showed no sign of acute proctitis or rebleeding. One asymptomatic patient had a mild stenosis of the rectum. Baseline biopsies showed signs of acute inflammation. Those performed after the application of formaldehyde showed fresh thromboses of the vessels of the mucosa. Biopsies at 1 month and 1 year showed only chronic changes secondary to the radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Local application of 4% formaldehyde for the treatment of haemorrhagic radiation-induced proctitis gives good results, is well tolerated and easy to perform. Formaldehyde applied selectively causes thromboses of the bleeding vessels, without deep lesions or extended necrosis.

Aged↗

Chlamydia trachomatis proctitis.

One hundreds seventy-one homosexual men, 96 of whom had symptoms suggestive of proctitis and 75 of whom had no such symptoms, were consecutively enrolled in a study of the prevalence, clinical spectrum, and histopathology of Chlamydia trachomatis rectal infections. C. trachomatis was isolated from the rectums of 14 men. Three of the isolates, which had lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) immunotypes, were recovered from three men with symptoms and signs of severe proctitis, two of whom had granulomatous inflammation that was observed at rectal biopsy and was initially suggestive of Crohn's disease. Eleven isolates, which had non-LGV immunotypes, were obtained from eight symptomatic and three asymptomatic men, all of whom had fecal leukocytes and mild abnormalities of the mucosa present at sigmoidoscopy, usually with mild nongranulomatous inflammatory changes that were seen on rectal biopsy. These observations suggest that the presence of LGV immunotypes of C. trachomatis in the rectum is associated with severe acute proctitis that mimics Crohn's disease of the rectum, whereas the non-LGV immunotypes are associated with a mild proctitis with or without symptoms.

Adult↗