Rectourethral fistula and massive rectal bleeding from iodine-125 prostate brachytherapy: a case report.
Iodine-125 brachytherapy is an effective well-tolerated treatment for localized prostate cancer. Gastrointestinal complications of brachytherapy (minor rectal bleeding or tenesmus) are uncommon. Rectal ulceration or rectourethral fistulas after prostate brachytherapy are rare. We present a case of massive refractory rectal bleeding and rectourethral fistula, a complication of prostate brachytherapy never before reported. As a result of the patient's life-threatening symptoms aggressive surgical therapy was necessary.
Cherr
G S
GS
Department of General Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
Hall
C
C
Pineau
B C
BC
Waters
G S
GS
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000368:Aged; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014548:Urinary Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes