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How to treat rectal bleeding? Started after prostate cancer radiation
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (46)Comment receiving replies
I received radiation treatment for prostate cancer 9 months ago. 5 months after the end of the treatment I started to experience rectal bleeding. My family doctor had me take sucralfate enemas for 6 weeks with no improvement. Then we tried sucralfate supositories for 2 weeks with no improvement. Then 3 weeks without any treatment again with no improvement. Now waiting for an appointment with a gastrointestinal doctor. Any ideas anyone have with similar experiences for treatment or managing the bleeding would be greatly appreciated.
Replies to "I received radiation treatment for prostate cancer 9 months ago. 5 months after the end of..."
If other remedies mentioned don’t work for you, and you have an official diagnosis of radiation-induced proctitis, look into hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537343/
I tried HBOT and I think it works. The trouble is that it is two hours a session. Most with significant radiation proctopathy need 50 to 90 sessions. There is a lovely treatment center in Encinitas, Ca. It's on the second floor. Those ones in the basement are a bit depressing.
Hi Beluga,
Approximately a year post-completion of my 20 sessions of Tomotherapy, I experienced an alarming episode: a sudden onset of bloody discharge from the rectum, accompanied by copious amounts of mucus, even containing skin-like substances. I consulted my physician the following day, and I underwent an examination which confirmed radiation-induced proctitis. Treatment involved a self-administered enema (Hydrocortisone Acetate Foam 10% w/w), alleviating the symptoms within a few days, and halting the bleeding. Though the bleeding ceased around four months ago, residual mucous discharge persists post-defecation. Despite this, it doesn't significantly impact my well-being, and I continue to lead a content life.
In addition to helpful replies you received, you might review these 2 discussions:
- How to treat rectal bleeding? Started after prostate cancer radiation
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-treat-rectal-bleeding-which-started-six-months-after-prostate-r/
- Looking for tips on managing Radiation-induced proctitis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-induced-proctitis/
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@beluga
beluga, several years ago, I experienced bleeding from radiation exposure. I was told by several oncologists and my trusted gastroenterologist that there was nothing that would help and I should just get used to it. They were wrong.
It took me several years to find out about this procedure and months to find a practitioner. I can recommed Dr. Buxbaum at USC. You may find a practitioner closer to you, but it will be a struggle. Lots of places use radiofrequency with little success. You need someone with the Halo 90.
Radiofrequency with the Halo 90 penetrates with a low controlled frequency that has been microscopically proven to allow the regrowth of normal epithelia in the rectum. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8831406/#:~:text=RADIATION%20PROCTITIS%20AND%20ITS%20CLASSIFICATION,induced%20damage%20to%20the%20rectum.
The halo 90 is a wand with a tiny flat mesh (looks like a flyswatter) depth, frequency and duration are tightly controlled. Treated areas no longer bleed.
Copy this article and take it with you to the GI appointment. I don't expect he'll know about the procedure. Ask him for a rectoscopy to document the bleeding for insurance approval.
The procedure is done in hospital. A private office won't have this expensive equipment. The procedure itself only takes about 15 minutes, but you'll be there half a day. And they can only treat small areas at a time so you may have more than one session.
If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer.