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Radiation Proctopathy

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Radiation Therapy for Pelvic Malignancy and its Consequences

Abstract

Acute radiation proctopathy (ARP) and chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP) are common complications of pelvic radiation therapy. ARP is by definition a self-limited process and is characterized by abdominal symptoms and diarrhea that occur during radiation therapy. Treatment is directed at reduction of symptoms with stool bulking agents and anti-diarrheal medications. CRP occurs at least 3 months after completion of radiation therapy and is associated with significant morbidity. The most common symptom of CRP is rectal bleeding from rupture of mucosal telangiectasias and local mucosal ischemia. Functional symptoms occur from loss of rectal compliance and anal sphincter injury. These symptoms include urgency, tenesmus, increased stool frequency and fecal incontinence. These problems have received less attention in the medical literature. Profound blood loss and fistulization are severe conseq uences of CRP.

Argon plasma coagulation is recommended as optimal treatment for bleeding from telangiectasias. Retinol (retinyl) palmitate has demonstrated efficacy for functional symptoms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA

    Andrew Mazulis

  2. NorthShore University HealthSystem Gastroenterology Division Center for the Study of Complex Diseases, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, USA

    Eli D. Ehrenpreis MD

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  1. Andrew Mazulis
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  2. Eli D. Ehrenpreis MD
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Correspondence to Andrew Mazulis .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Chicago Medical School, NorthShore University Health System, Highland Park, Illinois, USA

    Eli Daniel Ehrenpreis

  2. University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, NorthShore University Health System, Highland Park, Illinois, USA

    R de W Marsh

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    William Small Jr.

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Mazulis, A., Ehrenpreis, E. (2015). Radiation Proctopathy. In: Ehrenpreis, E., Marsh, R., Small Jr., W. (eds) Radiation Therapy for Pelvic Malignancy and its Consequences. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2217-8_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2217-8_9

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2217-8

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