title: KTP laser therapy for bleeding from chronic radiation proctopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic laser photocoagulation is commonly used to treat bleeding from the neovascular lesions of chronic radiation proctopathy. The KTP laser is an Nd/YAG-driven unit that emits light with a wavelength of 532 nm. This wavelength of energy is absorbed by hemoglobin and penetrates tissue to a depth of only 1 to 2 mm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients were treated with KTP laser and followed for a median of 29 months (range 5 to 51 months); 21 had received radiation for prostate cancer and 2 for uterine cancer. The median age was 77 years (range 68 to 87 years). A median of 2 sessions (range 1 to 5 sessions) was performed using 4 to 10 Watts of power and a median energy of 816 Joules per session (range 204 to 2430 Joules).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After treatment there was a significant reduction in the frequency (p = 0.0005) of bleeding, increase in hematocrit level (p < 0.0001), improvement in activities of daily life (p = 0.01), and a reduction in use of health care resources (p < 0.0001). There was a trend toward decreased use of iron supplements (11 to 4 patients) and transfusions (4 to 0 patients). Two patients (9%) developed rectal ulcers after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KTP laser photocoagulation is a safe and effective therapy for bleeding from chronic radiation proctopathy that improves activities of daily living and reduces use of health care resources.
authors.affiliation: University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Disario
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bjorkman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011349:Proctitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011351:Proctoscopy; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy