Colonoscopy after radiation.

Hello RBB  A warm welcome to the online Prostate Community

I confess to having had a colonoscopy about 4 months after my MRI but 8 months before radiotherapy.  I was told the procedure was required as the full MRI can't see inside your bowels. (I did arrive  here with CKD as well as Prostate Cancer).  After they had removed some polyps I was given the "good news" that for me they would be every 3 years. At the time I didn't ask why but assume as the removed some polyps they wanted to check back.

In your partner's case I assume you have reported the blood in his poo (bleeding from his bottom) so I would think it's an investigation to check if the Radiotherapy has caused any damage.

Colonoscopies are not given as a matter of routine after Radiotherapy.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you, this is much as I suspected.

Hopefully it's nothing sinister.

Hello RBB, 

                 I developed proctitis after radiotherapy which ended in December 2021. I was bleeding which included faecal urgency. I was referred to Gastrology but had to wait 8 months before being seen. The treatment, I was told was relatively new. I had 4 sigmoidoscopies @ 4 weeks apart (lower bowel procedure, less invasive than full colonoscopy) and had Purastat (a heamostatic agent to control bleeding) inserted to the bowel lining to the lesions. The treatment curtailed the bleeding. The urgency remains and the gastrologist says it is an unfortunate side effect of radiation therapy which has persisted. I am due a 3 year recall for a colonoscopy in July as have had polyps removed on 2 previous occassions. I also enrolled on the Colo-Spirit research programme which Newcastle University are conducting into the management of radiation proctopathy.

I hope all goes well for your husband RBB.

Best wishes, Graham. 

RBB,

Since my diagnosis, every pain or new test I am given makes me immediately think cancer.  I think it is quite normal, so try not to worry (easily said).  If your partner is bleeding after RT it is most likely to be as a result of that treatment rather than something new.  My oncologist wanted to know the quantity of blood, the frequency and the colour.  I am not medically trained but my observations are as follows.  Quantity would determine if I was likely to have anaemia.  The frequency to find if it getting worse, stable or better.  Colour to indicate where in the bowel - dark higher up and red lower down.  In my case I had about a teaspoon every 3 days and very red.  Over the last 5 years since RT it has been fairly constant and have had 2 Sigmoidoscopies and 1 Colonoscopy.  Each time minor diverticulitis has been found (no problem) together with radiation proctitis.  However, since my last Sigmoidoscopy in December I have hardly had any blood.  The consultant explained that the damage caused by the radiation was minor but I was possibly aggravating it by sitting on the loo too long and/or trying to strain too much.  Sorry if too much detail, but it might help.

Best wishes,  David

HiRBB

I’ve had a colonoscopy, mainly because I suffered from radiation prostitis, not as bad as it sounds, you tend to bleed from the rectrum, not all the time and some could be slight, myself it varies, I take ferris sulfate an iron tablet which helps. 

Stay safe

Joe