Radiation proctitis
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Onset of acute cases is related to direct mucosal injury and occurs within weeks (<6 weeks) of radiation treatment; it will generally dissipate upon cessation of therapy. Chronic cases may begin several months to years following radiation therapy, with progressive narrowing or obstruction of the rectum, constriction of blood vessels of the colon, and development of fistulas. Rectal pain, diarrhea, tenesmus, and passage of mucus may be symptoms. Rectal bleeding is more often severe in chronic proctitis.
The mainstay of treatment is supportive care for both acute and chronic cases. Colonoscopy with biopsy aids in excluding other causes of mucosal injury.
Codes
ICD10CM:K62.7 – Radiation proctitis
SNOMEDCT:
235760009 – Radiation proctitis
Look For
Subscription Required
Diagnostic Pearls
Subscription Required
Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Infectious proctitis
- Infectious colitis (eg, due to Salmonella, Shigella, C difficile; amebic colitis)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (eg, Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Ischemic colitis
- Chronic graft-versus-host disease
- Diverticulitis
- Medication-associated colitis
- Traumatic proctitis
Best Tests
Subscription Required
Management Pearls
Subscription Required
Therapy
Subscription Required
References
Subscription Required
Last Reviewed:12/12/2017
Last Updated:11/01/2022
Last Updated:11/01/2022