Hemorrhoid treatment after Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

[PopCubby]

I was being treated for Hemorrhoids 2 years ago when I learned that I needed to have treatment for prostate cancer. I decided on HDR Brachytherapy. When I informed my colorectal surgeon that I would by getting radiation treatment, he told me that he could not treat my remaining hemorrhoids, since the rectal area would be subjected to radiation, and that the tissue may not heal. He said it is not worth the risk of having further treatment. He was banding the hemorrhoids.

I have since found a Doctor who may be willing to treat me, but I am wondering if I am taking too much of a risk.

[Jancapper]

I also elected for HDBT. My side effects from the procedure were the expected urinary pain for 48 hrs then diarrhea for 72 hrs then hemorrhoids for two weeks. I would assume that the HDBT procedure will inflame the treated area and make recovery that much more difficult. While the procedure is minimally invasive, it definitely is no cake walk. Best of luck.

[LUMC_Survivor]

I would seriously consider postponing the hemorrhoid treatment until after the radiation on your prostate. I had to put up with them for more that eight years since they developed during and after the radiation back in 2014. Thanks to to Covid lockdown, chemo for an incurable form of leukemia, and suffering from seven months of Giardia, I suffered endlessly with them. By the time I had them cut out earlier this year (the doctors said they would band them pre-treatment, lying bastards) there was blood everywhere and the pain was absolutely excruciating for nearly four weeks and the loss of blood meant I had to wear pads for up to six weeks! Bet your specialists didn't tell you that!

[PopCubby in reply to LUMC_Survivor]

I should have stated in my original post, that I did have HDR Brachytherapy 18 months ago. There were some complications, but they have been resolved. My concern is whether I should have my hemorrhoids banded now, or is it too risky since the tissue has been radiated and may not heal. Has anyone had hemorrhoids treated after radiation?

[LUMC_Survivor in reply to PopCubby]

If your skin has truly healed, fair enough. However you MUST be sure the skin has healed sufficiently. Granted my situation was compounded by the leukemia, but my specialist doctor was a crook, never once inspected my rectum, despite my complaints., just took the $45k insurance money. Yet one hour after the last radiation, I was in hospital receiving treatment for internal burns. Just ensure that your doctor agrees with banding and does not change his decision/action whilst you are sedated.

[V10fanatic]

I completed HDR Brachy 5/2017 and had 4 banding procedures in Dec 2018 thru Feb 2019. They healed fine, but were more painful than I was led to believe. I think my Doctor was over zealous on the last one.

[PopCubby in reply to V10fanatic]

Thanks for the input.

I will see the doctor again in a month to discuss whether to pursue banding or just wait a little longer.

[CarverD]

I was specifically told by my RO, both before and after HDRB treatment, that I should inform any other doctors that NO samples were to be taken from the radiated section of my colon during colonoscopy procedures, etc. His point was that it may never heal and could lead to all sorts of other issues (infections, fistulas, etc). I don't take sedatives for colonoscopies so should be able to insure this doesn't happen. Luckily I have never suffered hemorrhoids.

[deMarco]

Long after my Brachy boost therapy which ended in Feb 2018 I had recurring rectal bleeding. I was first treated for hemorrhoids but the bleeding continued. In November 2021 and again in March 2022 I was treated for Chronic Radiation Proctitis (Argon plasma coagulation). The bleeding has fortunately stopped.

[PopCubby in reply to deMarco]

Thanks for your input. I'm glad your problem was resolved.