Endoscopic treatment with argon plasma coagulation in postradiation proctopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Postradiation proctopathy (PP) is a major complication in patients who receive radiotherapy for cancer. Medical treatments of this entity are unsatisfactory. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) had been shown to be successful with low complications. The aim was to describe our experience with APC in the management of PP.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of electronic- and paper-based records of patients with PP managed with APC.

RESULTS: Nineteen patients with PP were included, nine were women. Median age was 64 years, and follow-up was 29 months. The most frequent cause of radiotherapy for cancer was cervicouterine and prostate ENDOSCOPIC FINDINGS: Moderate disease was observed in nine patients; mild and severe diseases were observed in five patients each. At endoscopy, telangiectasias were present in 15, ulcers in five, and active bleeding in two patients. Median of APC sessions was two (one to seven). Mean dose of APC was 30 W (30-40 W) and 1.7 l (1.5-2.0 l). Median time for relief of symptoms was 3 months. All patients were asymptomatic at the end of treatment, and bleeding was controlled at the end of treatment in all patients. Recurrence of bleeding presented in one patient at 4 months. No complications were related to the APC treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, APC is successful in treatment of PP, with few sessions and low morbidity and null mortality.