title: Management of radiation proctitis.
abstract: Radiation damage to the rectum following radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies can range from acute dose-limiting side effects to major morbidity affecting health-related quality of life. No standard guidelines exist for diagnosis and management of radiation proctitis. This article reviews the definitions, staging, and clinical features of radiation proctitis, and summarizes the modalities available for the treatment of acute and chronic radiation proctitis. Because of the paucity of well-controlled, blinded, randomized studies, it is not possible to fully assess the comparative efficacy of the different approaches to management. However, the evidence and rationale for use of the different strategies are presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ankit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarin
authors.forename: Bashar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Safar
mesh_terms: D057908:Argon Plasma Coagulation; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D017679:Cryotherapy; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D011349:Proctitis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Argon plasma coagulation; Endoscopic laser therapy; Formalin; Hyperbaric oxygen; Radiation colitis; Radiation proctitis; Short-chain fatty acids; Sucralfate