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What Causes Lower Abdominal Pain While Treating Endometrial Cancer?
Question: I have radiation pro titis and for two yeArs have suffered from excruciating pain and burning every time I open my bowels which can be anything up to 20 times per day I am in agony and there doesn't seem to be Any answers from the medical profession I am at my wits end with it all Can you help pleAse I have had two aromas in the past due to the severity of radiation damage It was adjuvant treatments after the successful removal of a grade 3 tumour Endrometrial cancer Which had not spread to my lymphs! I was severely damaged by the radiotherapy the Drs said it was extremely rare and that I am lucky to be alive. I had gangrene and sepsis as well. I had the reversal 2 years ago and have been in pain ever since and live on Oramorph Is it food that burns?thankyou!
Brief Answer:
have you been evaluated for retroperitoneal fibrosis?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
Lets discuss about different effects of radiation first and then about proctitis
1) As an adjuvant treatment for endometrial cancer, external beam radiation was given in pelvic (lower abdomen) area. This part of abdomen is narrow because of pelvic bone and so abdominal organs have restricted space there. Radiation cause fibrosis anywhere in body. If it affect rectum then normal inner layer of rectum is replaced by fibrous tissue and cause to develop radiation induced proctitis. Post-radiation effects is determined by dosage, duration of radiation, organ receiving radiation and location of radiation.
2) If radiation therapy was prolonged then these fibrotic changes also occur in some part of abdomen known as retroperitoneum where kidney lies and most of nerves arise from spinal cord. If you have developed fibrosis in this area (retroperitoneal fibrosis) then it might cause local pain on side of abdomen in addition burning pain on lower limbs due to compression of nerves from fibrous tissue.
3) Here you mentioned radiation related pain but what is type of pain, location of pain? If pain is local to anal canal then it is due to proctitis only and you should use apply some ointments locally. But if your pain is radiating to lower limbs, it is burning type then it suggest possibility of retroperitoneal fibrosis and in such case you need aggressive pain management.
4) For radiation proctitis, you can use local application of anesthetic agent for pain relief. Also you should be evaluated for possibility of retroperitoneal fibrosis and its effect on kidneys. In absence of this, you can continue your present treatment with addition of ointment.
have you been evaluated for retroperitoneal fibrosis?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
Lets discuss about different effects of radiation first and then about proctitis
1) As an adjuvant treatment for endometrial cancer, external beam radiation was given in pelvic (lower abdomen) area. This part of abdomen is narrow because of pelvic bone and so abdominal organs have restricted space there. Radiation cause fibrosis anywhere in body. If it affect rectum then normal inner layer of rectum is replaced by fibrous tissue and cause to develop radiation induced proctitis. Post-radiation effects is determined by dosage, duration of radiation, organ receiving radiation and location of radiation.
2) If radiation therapy was prolonged then these fibrotic changes also occur in some part of abdomen known as retroperitoneum where kidney lies and most of nerves arise from spinal cord. If you have developed fibrosis in this area (retroperitoneal fibrosis) then it might cause local pain on side of abdomen in addition burning pain on lower limbs due to compression of nerves from fibrous tissue.
3) Here you mentioned radiation related pain but what is type of pain, location of pain? If pain is local to anal canal then it is due to proctitis only and you should use apply some ointments locally. But if your pain is radiating to lower limbs, it is burning type then it suggest possibility of retroperitoneal fibrosis and in such case you need aggressive pain management.
4) For radiation proctitis, you can use local application of anesthetic agent for pain relief. Also you should be evaluated for possibility of retroperitoneal fibrosis and its effect on kidneys. In absence of this, you can continue your present treatment with addition of ointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. REMY KOSHY
hello No I do not have any pain in my legs just in my anus after I open my bowels. I told you that i have already tried all the creams. I am aware about the cause of radiation damage and about the narrowing etc.
What I was hoping from this website was some advice in reducing the pain, burning and itching in the bowel and a recommended cream, in other words some help to manage my symptoms of this severe radiation damage.
my diet also effects the level of pain onions, sugar, coffee, cows milk etc cause immense pain and lots of bowel changes from diarrhea to constipation 20+times per day. I hope you can help. By the way when you have pelvic radiation damage where the tumour has been removed successfully should my pelvis have been protected in some way because the beam had nothing to fire at did it? Thank you
What I was hoping from this website was some advice in reducing the pain, burning and itching in the bowel and a recommended cream, in other words some help to manage my symptoms of this severe radiation damage.
my diet also effects the level of pain onions, sugar, coffee, cows milk etc cause immense pain and lots of bowel changes from diarrhea to constipation 20+times per day. I hope you can help. By the way when you have pelvic radiation damage where the tumour has been removed successfully should my pelvis have been protected in some way because the beam had nothing to fire at did it? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Local anesthetic ointments
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
1) Yes, unwanted pelvic organs are protected from external radiation in radiotherapy. But intestines is largest organ in abdomen by surface area and that is why it has maximum effects of radiation than other organ
2) I understand your concern about pain. For, Post-radiotherapy proctitis local ointment is effective. Ointment of anesthetic agent is useful (e.g. Lignocaine ointment)
Local anesthetic ointments
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
1) Yes, unwanted pelvic organs are protected from external radiation in radiotherapy. But intestines is largest organ in abdomen by surface area and that is why it has maximum effects of radiation than other organ
2) I understand your concern about pain. For, Post-radiotherapy proctitis local ointment is effective. Ointment of anesthetic agent is useful (e.g. Lignocaine ointment)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
I gave tried thar for lasttwo t
Years it made no difference
Years it made no difference
Brief Answer:
Treatment for higher graded proctitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
Other protective agents for intestinal cells are;
1) Sucralfate enema
2) Tab. Sulfasalazine
3) Short chain fatty acid enema
4) Anti-oxidants
5) Surgical intervention (very rare) -
Treatment for higher graded proctitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
Other protective agents for intestinal cells are;
1) Sucralfate enema
2) Tab. Sulfasalazine
3) Short chain fatty acid enema
4) Anti-oxidants
5) Surgical intervention (very rare) -
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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