IRRADIATION PROCTITIS
The incidence, pathology, symptoms, and treatment of radiation injury of the distal large bowel resulting from Ra or x-ray therapy of uterine cervical cancer are surveyed, and observations on 25 cases of irradiation proctitis are presented. In this series of patierts the incidence of significart rectal injury following irradiation of cervical cancer was approximates 10%. Each of the 25 women had symptoms sufficiently distressing so that the radiologist, gynecologist, or family doctor felt specialized care was needed. The histopathology of irradiation proctitis presented varying degrees of damage to the rectal epithelium. With severe injury, outright cell death occurred, whereas with lesser involvemert, there were irregular areas of ulceration and a definite lag in the healing process. There were varying degrees of fibrosis and thickening of collagen and muscle fibers, which often resulted in loss of elasticity of the rectal wall, along with fixation of the mucosa to the underlying scar tissue and muscle. Gross pathology presented a variable picture. A few patients experienced first symptoms 3 to 4 months after the completion of treatment, but the largest group noticed the onset of difficulties from 6 to 9 months after trentment. Others had an even longer interval of a year or two, and three had no symptoms until between three and five years later. The symptoms varied with the severity of the involvement. Where rectal bleeding and tenesmus occurred and bowel damage was not excessive, ora1 steroids were of great value. Prednisone was used, beginning with 5 mg every 6 hr and increasing or decreasing in dosage in accordance with the response. As improvement occurred, the minimum maintenance dosage was sought, and when it was found it sometimes had to be continued for months. One patient needed 5 mg daily or on alternate days for 2 years, to prevent recurrence of bleeding. Hectal instillation of various therapeutic substances has been recommended but steroid suppositories, warm oil solutions of hydrocortizone, local anesthetics, and corn starch, all as retention medications, were tried and abandoned. Oral prednisone, along with nonnarcotic pain relief, and warm Sitz baths, seemed most effective. In some case however, the damage was so great that surgical relief was necessary. When the lesion was limited to the rectum, sigmoidal colostomy was the procedure of choice. (BBB)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-017535
- OSTI ID:
- 4056210
- Journal Information:
- J. Iowa State Med. Soc., Journal Name: J. Iowa State Med. Soc. Vol. Vol: 53
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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