Bleeding after salvage radiation

[jmarsh]

Had radical prostatectomy 12/21. Salvage radiation about 11 mos ago. Currently about one year into Lupron + Abiraterone + prednisone. Recently experienced very mild rectal and/or blood in stool. Is this likely due to the radiation, or something else?

[Tall_Allen]

Yeah. As long as it's bright red and not copious, it will go away on its own. Probably some internal hemorrhoids bleeding.

[sbyankee]

Diagnosis Radiation Proctitis 1week later throwing up blood. 5 days in hospital. Endoscopy discovered 4 lesions and 3 ulcers. Treated. Still passing blood 24 hrs later, so colonoscopy. Clean top and bottom. Bleeding has finally cleared.

See your Drs as soon as possible. We had completed 16 sessions of Docetaxel the day we ended in the hospital. Hemoglobin low, anemia, calcium and iron all critical. One day, one step at a time. Cancer sucks. 4th of July home, yay!

[groth12345]

It would be likely from the radiation.

[chefjlu]

Very likely from the radiation. Reach out to your doctor and keep them posted just in case treatment is required. I went through 2 months of radiation last year and experienced little side effects, but was warned about possible Proctitis and to keep in touch with doctor. Realize that this can last up to 6 weeks - usually only about 1 to 2 weeks in people I've met.

[Qiviut]

have the same issue occasionally. As long as the blood is not in the stool I agree with Tall_Allen’s comment. I have had two DRE exams six months apart with no unusual results. I use Witch Hazel wipes when I get bleeding and they are amazing at clearing everything up.

[Clouds_69]

TA mentioned 'bright red' blood. I had blood in my stools about 6 months after completing salvage radiation, and had a colonoscopy. I was asked if it was 'bright red' and I said No, assuming that meant something like a hemoroid that flooded the toilet. Turns out that was my mistake; the post-procedure summary included "Given the lack of BRBPR (bright red blood per rectum), treatment was deferred." So make sure to ask what your carers understand 'bright red' to be.

[rfgh20]

Probably benign but make sure colonoscopy up to date as you should anyway

[jmarsh]

Thanks to all for input. I have actually had my routine colonoscopy since radiation, so I should be good there. I will mention to my MO prior to my visit next month. Might be too much info, but seems to be not in the stool but on the paper.