A rare cause of rectal ulceration

Abstract

rostate cancer is the most common neoplasm affecting en, with an estimated 4,000 new cases diagnosed each ear in Portugal.1 Currently, curative treatment options for en with localized prostate cancer include radical prostaectomy, external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and prostate rachytherapy (BT) with permanent interstitial implants. his later modality is being increasingly used because it rovides similar disease control with lower rates of inconinence and sexual dysfunction. However, it can lead to hronic radiation proctitis, because of the close proximty between the rectum and the implanted prostate.2 The ain manifestations of chronic radiation proctitis are rectal leeding, urgency, pain, strictures, mucous discharge and ncontinence and they may take up to two years to develop. he association of BT with EBRT raises the incidence of procitis from 1--19% to 39%.3 Treatment options include medical therapy (aminosalicyates, sucralfate, steroid enemas and hyperbaric oxygen), ndoscopic therapy preferably with argon plasma coaglation (safer, less expensive and more widely available han heater and bipolar cautery, Nd:YAG laser and topical