AIM: Rectal bleeding may occur late after radiotherapy for prostate or bladder cancer, particularly when given by external beam (EBDXT) due to radiotherapy induced haemorrhagic telangectasia (RIHT).
We present the results of trans-anal rectoscopic ball diathermy (TARD) for RIHT.
METHOD: Data were collected on patients who received TARD for RIHT. The diagnosis was made during endoscopic examination. Treatment involved discretely spaced spot monopolar diathermy coagulation of the rectal mucosa to the affected areas.
RESULTS: Thirteen patients (median age 76 (69-80) years) underwent TARD for RIHT between 2005 and 2008. All presented late with rectal bleeding following radiotherapy for prostate or bladder cancer. Eight were treated as a day case, four remained in hospital for one hight and one was hospitalised for two days. There was no mortality. Eleven patients achieved excellent symptomatic control requiring no further treatment at a median follow up of 20 (3-36) months. One patient underwent further TARD for recurrence. One patient complained of severe ano-rectal pain of no obvious cause and one developed constipation.
CONCLUSION: TARD is a safe and effective treatment for patients with rectal bleeding due to RIHT.
Written by:
Hopkins JC, Wood JJ, Gilbert H, Wheeler JM, Borley N. Are you the author?
Departments of Colorectal Surgery, Cheltenham General Hospital.
Reference: Colorectal Dis. 2013 Jan 15. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1111/codi.12107
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23320526
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