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Heather

Marik
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My husband completed a course of Radiotherapy a year ago and since then he has had bouts of diarrhoea for which he has been prescribed tablets. This has become more under control but occurs without warning. Now he is having so pome red blood periodically from the anus. Is this normal.

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    Hi and welcome to the forum.

    Apart from the nurses, we're not medically qualitifed. I am not a doctor.

    You didn't say why your husband received radiotherapy, but I'm assuming it was for bowel cancer.  I checked on the cancer research page for bowel cancer radiotherapy and it lists proctitis, with associated bleeding, as a long term side effect. 

    However, blood from the anus is always a red flag symptom, and should be reported back to your GP fairly quickly. It appears that there are some treatments available in the form of steroid suppositories, and it's possible that the GP may refer your husband for another colonoscopy just to confirm the diagnosis and check there's nothing else going on. 

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    Radiotherapy to the pelvis can have severe side effects. Acutely, which is up to 3 months post-therapy, or long term. They can manifest years or decades later.

    It caused me to have radiation colitis, which turned to sepsis and caused me to have to have 2 bags. That was after about 3.months.

    It often causes radiation enteritis. Effects can be mild to severe. 

    It's well worth having a look at radiation side effects on this site and keeping a close eye on things. Your husband's bleeding etc may well be minor and temporary but it's worth getting it checked.

     

    Best Regards

    Taff

  • Hello Marik and welcome to the forum.

    I'm sorry to hear that your husband doesn't seem to cope well with treatment. 

    As you asked a question about radiotherapy and its side effects I wanted to share some information with you we have on our website and I hope this can be of use, you can read more by clicking here.

    Our nurses might be able to answer questions you might have too if you feel like speaking with someone medically trained can help.Their lines are open Monday - Friday between 9 a.m - 5 p.m on 0808 800 4040.

    Best wishes,

    Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

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