Radiation Colitis

My dad had cancer of the bladder last year. After the surgery, he had chemo and radiation therapy that started in June and ended sometime early October 2007. Around March 2008, he noticed bleeding in his stool. He goes sometimes 6 times a day and he says there is always blood in his stool. He had colonoscopy and doctors said his colon is fine except that they said he has radiation colitis. It has been going on for 5 months now. Is this bleeding going to stop? Is this treatable? He is 84 years old and he says he does not think he can take another surgery. Comments are mostly appreaciated. Thanks.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi ,
Radiation colitis is treatable.
Both medical and endoscopic therapeutic options are available.
Medications like sucralfate, steroids, 5 ASA have been tried.
Endoscopic therapy utilizes APC, heater probe and bipolar cautery.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.