Radiation proctitis

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I recently had some rectal bleeding. I have previously been discharged from hospital after five years watch and wait so my GP had referred me to a new hospital for a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy noted that I had "significant radiation proctitis" in the rectum but I haven't had any further guidance about the likely significance of this or whether I am likely to get symptoms down the line. I don't have any symptoms at all, no pain and my bowel function is completely normal. My GP is honest that he doesn't have a clue and told me to contact the hospital but the endoscopist's secretary doesn't pick up the phone or reply to messages so I'm a bit stuck with getting some more information about this.

Has anyone else had a diagnosis of radiation proctitis after radiotherapy for rectal cancer? If so I'd be really interested to hear of your experience.

Best wishes,

Jogey

  • I think it's quite common and I definitely had the symptoms, with loads of mucus directly after treatment, but I think if you feel normal and your bowel function is normal,  and they didn't find anything else at colonoscopy, it will be nothing to worry about.. As far as I know it's just something that they might expect to find in anyone who had had all that radiation to the bum, but obviously best to keep nagging the professionals!