Overview
Radiation proctitis is a condition where the lining of the rectum (the lower part of the large intestine) becomes inflamed and damaged as a result of radiation therapy. It is also sometimes called radiation-induced proctitis or pelvic radiation disease when it affects a broader area. This condition most often develops in people who have received radiation treatment for cancers in the pelvic area, such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, rectal cancer, or bladder cancer. There are two main forms. Acute radiation proctitis happens during or shortly after radiation treatment and usually causes temporary symptoms like diarrhea, rectal pain, and urgency to use the bathroom. Chronic radiation proctitis develops months or even years after treatment ends and can cause longer-lasting problems, including rectal bleeding, narrowing of the rectum, and abnormal blood vessels in the rectal lining that bleed easily. Treatment depends on how severe the symptoms are. Mild cases may be managed with dietary changes and anti-inflammatory medications. More serious cases may need procedures like argon plasma coagulation (a type of laser-like treatment to stop bleeding), hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or in rare cases, surgery. While many people improve with treatment, chronic radiation proctitis can be a long-term challenge that significantly affects quality of life.
Key symptoms:
Rectal bleeding (blood in the stool or on toilet paper)Frequent urgent need to have a bowel movementDiarrhea or loose stoolsRectal pain or discomfortFeeling like the bowel is never fully emptyMucus discharge from the rectumCramping or abdominal painDifficulty controlling bowel movements (fecal incontinence)Narrowing of the rectum making bowel movements difficultAbnormal connections between the rectum and nearby organs (fistulas) in severe casesAnemia caused by ongoing blood loss
Clinical phenotype terms (19)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsBernardino Clavo, MD, PhD
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital — PHASE2
Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
Peking Union Medical College Hospital — PHASE2
Jiangsu Topcel-KH Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. — PHASE1
Cancer Institute and Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences — PHASE3
Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University — PHASE2
Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University — PHASE2
The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College — PHASE1, PHASE2
Maastricht Radiation Oncology — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Radiation proctitis.
6 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Radiation proctitis.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Radiation proctitis
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Radiation-Induced Proctopathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Radiation proctitis
New recruiting trial: Metabolomics to Predict Treatment Response and Toxicities in Rectal Cancer
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Radiation proctitis
New recruiting trial: Association Between Clinical Subtypes and Prognosis in Radiation Rectal Injury
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Radiation proctitis
New recruiting trial: Umbilical-Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Injection for Chronic Radiation Proctitis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Radiation proctitis
New recruiting trial: Dietary Supplements to Treat Radiation-Induced Rectal Injury
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Radiation proctitis
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my rectal bleeding likely to get better on its own, or do I need treatment now?,What dietary changes might help reduce my symptoms?,Am I a candidate for argon plasma coagulation or hyperbaric oxygen therapy?,How will we monitor for cancer recurrence versus radiation damage during my follow-up?,What symptoms should prompt me to go to the emergency room?,Are there any clinical trials for new treatments for radiation proctitis that I could join?,Should I see a dietitian or a pelvic floor specialist as part of my care?
Common questions about Radiation proctitis
What is Radiation proctitis?
Radiation proctitis is a condition where the lining of the rectum (the lower part of the large intestine) becomes inflamed and damaged as a result of radiation therapy. It is also sometimes called radiation-induced proctitis or pelvic radiation disease when it affects a broader area. This condition most often develops in people who have received radiation treatment for cancers in the pelvic area, such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, rectal cancer, or bladder cancer. There are two main forms. Acute radiation proctitis happens during or shortly after radiation treatment and usually causes
How is Radiation proctitis inherited?
Radiation proctitis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Radiation proctitis typically begin?
Typical onset of Radiation proctitis is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Radiation proctitis?
Yes — 6 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Radiation proctitis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Radiation proctitis?
11 specialists and care centers treating Radiation proctitis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.