Blood Clots in Urine

[ThisIsForMyDad]

My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate cancer in October. Gleason 4+3 and PSA 34.

First Eligard shot in October.

He just completed 30/44 rounds of radiation. Last night he had some major blood clotting in his urine. Blocking his flow. Today only a little bit. By this afternoon it had cleared up. The Dr said it’s not common for radiation to cause it and if he continues to bleed a lot to go to the ER, but since it stopped we would proceed as normal.

Has this happened to anyone else during radiation? What could it be? His PET scan said it only spread to his one upper abdominal lymph node and not his bladder. Could this be bladder cancer? Or just irritation from so much radiation?

When he first was diagnosed he peed blood twice but not clotting. He hadnt bled since now again. Looking for any insight or experiences on what this could be!

Thank you.

[Tall_Allen]

It is common. As long as it clears up and he can pee freely, it's nothing to worry about. Scar tissue periodically breaks off. It still happens to me 12 years post RT. Do not have a cystoscopy, which will make it worse.

[ThisIsForMyDad in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thank you for your insight. Did it happen to you during the radiation treatments as well?

He has a cystoscopy back in October and they didn’t see cancer in the bladder so I’m hoping that’s still the case.

[Tall_Allen in reply to ThisIsForMyDad]

The clots may have formed as a result of the cystoscopy. The tissue is very fragile after radiation and instrumentation easily disrupts it. My RO told me to just leave it alone. I only had 5 treatments and don't remember blood then.

[Lyubov in reply to Tall_Allen]

Sadly, we weren't at all aware of the danger of cystoscopy. So, my husband had several and now he's getting the HBOT but I fear it's too late. His suffering as a result of the repeat cystoscopies has been brutal. Approaching 80 yo in Aug wondering if we'll make it.

[Drandma]

my husband had radiation in 2020 and has issues with this from time to time. Drink plenary of water and we have found that he needs to avoid drinking diet cokes 🤷‍♀️

[Omalley]

Radiation damages the bladder, I had radiation 14 years ago, found out my ureters were damaged, had surgery to fix them, had a lot of bleeding while the stents were in, the doctor said bladder showed radiation damage, doing 30 HBOT sessions, three left to go, no more bleeding so far.

[Tally111]

Two years post radiation had a fortnight of bleeding including clots. My Rad Onco said not due to radiation and to get a cystoscopy done. The Urologist said it was probably scarred radiation tissue and since the USG didn't show anything, advised against a cystoscopy. Bleeding stopped on its own.

[akaipop3ps]

Yes, it happened to me about a year after radiation. Drink plenty of water.

[Hidden]

I had blood clots in my bladder from kidney cancer. They blocked urination. Laying down horizontal would displace the clots and allow urine to flow. Yes I'm cure it was 23 years ago