title: Acute anal toxicity after whole pelvic radiotherapy in patients with asymptomatic haemorrhoids: identification of dosimetric and patient factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with asymptomatic haemorrhoids are known to be less tolerant of radiation doses lower than known tolerance doses. In the present study, the authors sought to identify the risk factors of acute haemorrhoid aggravation after whole pelvic radiotherapy (WPRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 33 patients with cervical, rectal or prostate cancer with asymptomatic haemorrhoids, which were confirmed by colonoscopy before the start of radiotherapy (RT), were reviewed. Acute anal symptoms, such as anal pain and bleeding, were observed up to 1 month after RT completion. Dosimetric and patient factors were analysed, and subgroup analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median induction dose for acute anal symptoms was 34.1 Gy (range, 28.8-50.4 Gy). Post-operative treatment intent showed more acute anal toxicity of patient factors (p = 0.04). In subgroup analysis, post-operative treatment intent and concurrent chemoradiotherapy were found to be related to acute anal symptoms (p < 0.01). Of the dosimetric factors, V10 tended to be related to acute anal symptoms (p = 0.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that asymptomatic haemorrhoid may deteriorate after low-dose radiation and that patient factors, such as treatment intent and concurrent chemotherapy, probably influence anal toxicity. In patients with asymptomatic haemorrhoids, WPRT requires careful dosimetry and clinical attention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The tolerance of anal canal tends to be ignored in patients with pelvic cancer who are undergoing WPRT. However, patients with asymptomatic haemorrhoids may be troubled by low radiation doses, and further studies are required.
authors: 1 Department of Radiation Oncology, Dongguk University School of Medicine, Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Jang
authors: J G
authors: JG
authors: Baek
authors: S-J
authors: SJ
authors: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D011874:Radiometry; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy