Ulcerative Proctitis 18 months after Proton Beam Therapy?

Posted by rmp321 @rmp321, 2 days ago

I am a graduate of Loma Linda University Health’s Proton Beam Therapy for Prostate Cancer, completed in March of 2024, with literally no immediate side effects. 18 months after treatment I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Proctitis, an inflammation of the colon resulting in sporadic bleeding from the rectum. My initial treatment was 2 1/2 weeks supply of 1,000 MG Mesalamine suppositories, which have slowed the bleeding significantly but not completely. Has anyone undergoing Proton Beam for Prostate Cancer had a similar experience?

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brianjarvis | @brianjarvis | 1 day ago

I did not have that experience. I had 28 fractions of proton beam radiation (2.5 grays per fraction) five years ago (19 April - 28 May 2021), along with 6 months of Eligard. We used SpaceOAR Vue. Had no rectal/bowel side-effects at all.

Did you use a rectal spacer?

How many fractions did you get?

How many grays of radiation did you receive per fraction?

For your radiation-induced proctitis (& other tissue damage), have they recommended hyperbaric oxygen therapy?