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Anyone have rectal pain after radiation? What helps?
Prostate Cancer | Last Active: Jun 4, 2025 | Replies (32)Comment receiving replies
I’m not the OP, but I did have SpaceOAR inserted before my 39 VMAT sessions almost two years ago. I have had no rectal discomfort, though I did pass some blood one day over a year after the treatment. No blood since that one time. On the other hand, I have a friend who underwent similar treatment last year, but without any spacer (he was told he didn’t need it). He has had continuous rectal bleeding issues for the past several months and has had at least 3 procedures to address the issue without much success.
Replies to "I’m not the OP, but I did have SpaceOAR inserted before my 39 VMAT sessions almost..."
I showed your post to my PCP before my treatment was to start. I said I was concerned that my care team said I didn't need a spacer.
Unfortunately, my PCP agreed with the cancer center, and wouldn't advocate for me to have a gel spacer. It wouldn't help me, I was told.
My SBRT took place from from April 9 to 21. My oncologist prepped my mind that my immediate side effects might peak on the third or fourth week after my last radiation.
I noticed some mucus and blood in my stool on the 3rd week post-SBRT, and I was concerned that it get worse on the 4th week -- during which my wife and I would be in a cruise (advanced booking July 2024, non-refundable if we cancelled in April/May 2025).
Fortunately, I was much better in week 4 and the cruise went well. I am just so thankful. But then there is still the long-term side effects years down the road that I have to watch out for; I feel optimistic about the future though.
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Would you mind asking your friend what machine was used for his radiation? Older machines have a 3-5 mm margin, and newer machines have 1-2 mm. The small margin means less chance the radiation will hit an organ at risk (in this case, the rectum). The machine for my radiation will be the Elekta MR-Linac (1-2 mm margin). Has any one in this support group had an experience with the MR-Linac (similar to MRidian).