Objective: To investigate risk factors associated with prognosis in patients with radiation proctitis (RP).
Methods: Between August 2007 and February 2010, 33 patients diagnosed with radiation proctitis were identified. Data pertaining to treatments and quality of life(QOL) were analyzed retrospectively.
Results: Indication for radiation included cervical cancer(n=22), prostate cancer (n=3), ovary cancer (n=2), rectal cancer (n=2), endometrial cancer(n=2), cervical cancer (n=1), and vaginal cancer(n =1). Data regarding radiation were available in 18 patients, and the mean dose was (61.3±12.9) Gy with a median dose of 61 Gy. Eleven were treated with enema therapy, 9 formalin dab, 12 surgical operations. Clinical improvement was noticed in 75% of the patients with a mean QOL score of 63.79±20.92. Prognosis was favorable in 75% of the patients. Surgical treatment was effective in 91.7% of the patients with severe complications. Univariate analysis showed that gender was associated with the prognosis of RP, while the severity of RP and treatment method were not predictive for RP prognosis.
Conclusions: Gender but not disease severity is associated with the prognosis of radiation proctitis. Surgery may be beneficial to RP patients with severe complications.