Administration of modified Gegen Qinlian decoction for hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis(CRP) is a common late complication of irradiation of the pelvis and seriously impairs life quality. There is no standard treatment for hemorrhagic CRP. Medical treatment, interventional treatment, and surgery are available, but they are limited in their applications due to nondefinite efficacy or side effects. Chinese herbal medicine(CHM), as a complementary or alternative therapy, may provide another option for hemorrhagic CRP treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old woman with cervical cancer received intensity-modulated radiation therapy and brachytherapy with a total dose of 93 Gy fifteen days after hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy. She received six additional cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Nine months after radiotherapy treatment, she mainly complained of 5-6 times diarrhea daily and bloody purulent stools for over 10 d. After colonoscopy examinations, she was diagnosed with hemorrhagic CRP with a giant ulcer. After assessment, she received CHM treatment. The specific regimen was 150 mL of modified Gegen Qinlian decoction(GQD) used as a retention enema for 1 mo, followed by replacement with oral administration of 150 mL of modified GQD three times per day for 5 mo. After the whole treatment, her diarrhea reduced to 1-2 times a day. Her rectal tenesmus and mild pain in lower abdomen disappeared. Both colonoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed its significant improvement. During treatment,there were no side effects, such as liver and renal function damage.CONCLUSION Modified GQD may be another effective and safe option for hemorrhagic CRP patients with giant ulcers.

"External main and internal auxiliary" treatment on refractory radiation proctitis

Radiotherapy is an essential method in the comprehensive treatment of malignant tumors.However,radiation proctitis(RP)is a common complication of pelvic tumors after radiotherapy.Due to RP's various etiology and complex pathogenesis,it is currently no standard for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)treatment.Professor Yuan-hong Zhao believes that refractory RP,which is named chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis(CHRP),should be classified as"Intestinal Wind Bleeding"(Bleeding like a note before defecation,bright red blood,no swelling and pain in the anus)and"Intestinal Afflux"(Refers to the symptoms of pus and blood in the lower mucus,similar to ulcerative colitis,peptic ulcer and other diseases in modern medicine.)in TCM.The critical pathogenesis of CHRP lies in local stasis and collaterals injury of intestinal collaterals.In general,it is a syndrome of excess and scarcity.External treatment with TCM is the preferred treatment strategy for CHRP,and the primary way is to disperse blood stasis and detoxify and nourish the intestinal collaterals.

Colostomy is a simple and effective procedure for severe chronic radiation proctitis

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of diverting colostomy in treating severe hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis(CRP). METHODS: Patients with severe hemorrhagic CRP who were admitted from 2008 to 2014 were enrolled into this study. All CRP patients were diagnosed by a combination of pelvic radiation history, clinical rectal bleeding, and endoscopic findings. Inclusion criteria were CRP patients with refractory bleeding with moderate to severe anemia with a hemoglobin level < 90 g/L. The study group included patients who were treated by diverting colostomy, while the control group included patients who received conservative treatment. The remission of bleeding was defined as complete cessation or only occasional bleeding that needed no further treatment. The primary outcome was bleeding remission at 6 mo after treatment. Quality of life beforetreatment and at follow-up was evaluated according to EORTC QLQ C30. Severe CRP complications were recorded during follow-up.RESULTS: Forty-seven consecutive patients were enrolled, including 22 in the colostomy group and 27 in the conservative treatment group. When compared to conservative treatment, colostomy obtained a higher rate of bleeding remission(94% vs 12%), especially in control of transfusion-dependent bleeding(100% vs 0%), and offered a better control of refractory perianal pain(100% vs 0%), and a lower score of bleeding(P < 0.001) at 6 mo after treatment. At 1 year after treatment, colostomy achieved better remission of both moderate bleeding(100% vs 21.5%, P = 0.002) and severe bleeding(100% vs 0%, P < 0.001), obtained a lower score of bleeding(0.8 vs 2.0, P < 0.001), and achieved obvious elevated hemoglobin levels(P = 0.003), when compared to the conservative treatment group. The quality of life dramatically improved after colostomy, which included global health, function, and symptoms, but it was not improved in the control group. Pathological evaluation after colostomy found diffused chronic inflammation cells, and massive fibrosis collagen depositions under the rectal wall, which revealed potential fibrosis formation. CONCLUSION: Diverting colostomy is a simple, effective and safe procedure for severe hemorrhagic CRP. Colostomy can improve quality of life and reduce serious complications secondary to radiotherapy.

Histopathological comparison of topical therapy modalities for acute radiation proctitis in an experimental rat model

AIM： To evaluate the prevalent topical therapeutic modalities available for the treatment of acute radiation proctitis compared to formalin. METHODS： A total of 120 rats were used. Four groups （n = 30） were analyzed with one group for each of the following applied therapy modalities： control, mesalazine, formalin, betamethasone, and misoprostol. A single fraction of 17.5 Gy was delivered to each rat. The rats in control group rats were given saline, and the rats in the other three groups received appropriate enemas twice a day beginning on the first day after the irradiation until the day of euthanasia. On d 5, 10, and 15, ten rats from each group were euthanized and a pathologist who was unaware of treatment assignment examined the rectums using a scoring system. RESULTS： The histopathologic scores for surface epithelium, glands （crypts） and lamina propria stroma of the rectums reached their maximum level on d 10. The control and formalin groups had the highest and mesalazine had the lowest, respectively on d 10. On the 15^th d, mesalazine, betamethasone, and misoprostol had the lowest scores of betamethasone. CONCLUSION： Mesalazine, betamethasone, and misoprostol are the best topical agents for radiation proctitis and formalin has an inflammatory effect and should not be used.

Formalin irrigation for hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis

AIM: To assess the efficacy and safety of a modified topical formalin irrigation method in refractory hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis(CRP). METHODS: Patients with CRP who did not respond to previous medical treatments and presented with grade II-III rectal bleeding according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were enrolled. Patients with anorectal strictures, deep ulcerations, and fistulas were excluded. All patients underwent flexible endoscopic evaluation before treatment. Patient demographics and clinical data, including primary tumor, radiotherapy and previous treatment options, were collected. Patients received topical 4% formalin irrigation in a clasp-knife position under spinal epidural anesthesia in the operating room. Remission of rectal bleeding and related complications were recorded. Defecation, remission of bleeding, and other symptoms were investigated at follow-up. Endoscopic findings in patients with rectovaginal fistulas were analyzed.RESULTS: Twenty-four patients(19 female, 5 male) with a mean age of 61.5 ± 9.5 years were enrolled. The mean time from the end of radiotherapy to the onset of bleeding was 11.1 ± 9.0 mo(range: 2-24 mo). Six patients(25.0%) were blood transfusion dependent. The median preoperative Vienna Rectoscopy Score(VRS) was 3 points. Nineteen patients(79.2%) received only one course of topical formalin irrigation, and five(20.8%) required a second course. No side effects were observed. One month after treatment, bleeding cessation was complete in five patients and obvious in14; the effectiveness rate was 79.1%(19/24). For longterm efficacy, 5/16, 1/9 and 0/6 patients complained of persistent bleeding at 1, 2 and 5 years after treatment, respectively. Three rectovaginal fistulas were found at 1 mo, 3 mo and 2 years after treatment. Univariate analysis showed associations of higher endoscopic VRS and ulceration score with risk of developing rectovaginal fistula. CONCLUSION: Modified formalin irrigation is an effective and safe method for hemorrhagic CRP, but should be performed cautiously in patients with a high endoscopic VRS.

Efficacy and complications of argon plasma coagulation for hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis

BACKGROUND Chronic radiation proctitis(CRP) is a complication which occurs in 1%-5% of patients who undergo radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies. Although a wide range of therapeutic modalities are available, there is no literature to date showing any particularly appropriate therapeutic modality for each disease stage. Argon plasma coagulation(APC) is currently recommended as the firstchoice treatment for hemorrhagic CRP, however, its indication based on longterm follow-up is still unclear. On the hypothesis that the long-term efficacy and safety of APC are not fully understood, we reviewed APC treatment for patients with hemorrhagic CRP from a single center.AIM To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of APC for hemorrhagic CRP.METHODS This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients treated with APC for hemorrhagic CRP from January 2013 to October 2017. Demographics, clinical variables, and typical endoscopic features were recorded independently. Success was defined as either cessation of bleeding or only occasional traces of bloody stools with no further treatments for at least 12 mo after the last APC treatment.We performed univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors associated with success and risk factors for fistulas.RESULTS Forty-five patients with a median follow-up period of 24 mo(range: 12-67 mo)were enrolled. Fifteen(33.3%) patients required blood transfusion before APC.Successful treatment with APC was achieved in 31(68.9%) patients. The mean number of APC sessions was 1.3(1-3). Multivariate analysis showed that APC failure was independently associated with telangiectasias present on more than50% of the surface area [odds ratio(OR) = 6.53, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.09-39.19, P = 0.04] and ulcerated area greater than 1 cm^2(OR = 8.15, 95%CI: 1.63-40.88, P = 0.01). Six(13.3%) patients had severe complications involving rectal fistulation. The only factor significantly associated with severe complications was ulcerated area greater than 1 cm^2(P = 0.035).CONCLUSION The long-term efficacy of APC for hemorrhagic CRP is uncertain in patients with telangiectasias present on > 50% of the surface area and ulceration > 1 cm^2.

Chronic haemorrhagic radiation proctitis: A review

Chronic haemorrhagic radiation proctitis(CHRP) is a difficult problem faced by the patients following radiation for pelvic malignancy. There is no standardtreatment for this condition, but many methods of treatment are available. The aim of this study was to review the literature to see whether there is an improvement in the available evidence in comparison with previously published systematic reviews in treating patients with CHRP. The Pub Med/Medline database and Google Scholar search was selectively searched. Studies, which treated patients with rectal bleeding due to chronic radiation proctitis or CHRP, were included. Seventy studies were finally selected out of which 14 were randomized controlled clinical trials. Though these studies could not be compared, it could be seen that there was an improvement in the methodology of the studies. There was an objective assessment of symptoms, signs and an objective assessment of outcomes. But, still, there were only a few studies that looked into the quality of life following treatment of CHRP. To increase recruitment to trials, a national registry of cases with established late radiation toxicity would facilitate the further improvement of such studies. Some of the conclusions that could be reached based on the available evidence are 4% formalin should be the first line treatment for patients with CHRP. Formalin and argon plasma coagulation(APC) are equally effective, but formalin is better for severe disease. Refractory patients, not responding to formalin or APC, need to be referred for hyperbaric oxygen therapy or surgery. Radio-frequency ablation is a promising modality that needs to be studied further in randomized trials.

Endoscopic management of chronic radiation proctitis

Chronic radiation proctopathy occurs in 5%-20% of patients following pelvic radiotherapy. Although many cases resolve spontaneously,some lead to chronic symptoms including diarrhea,tenesmus,urgency and persistent rectal bleeding with iron deficiency anemia requiring blood transfusions. Treatments for chronic radiation proctitis remain unsatisfactory and the basis of evidence for various therapies is generally insuff icient. There are very few controlled or prospective trials,and comparisons between therapies are limited because of different evaluation methods. Medical treatments,including formalin,topical sucralfate,5-amino salicylic acid enemas,and short chain fatty acids have been used with limited success.Surgical management is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic therapy using modalities such as the heater probe,neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser,potassium titanyl phosphate laser and bipolar electrocoagulation has been reported to be of some benef it,but with frequent complications.Argon plasma coagulation is touted to be the preferred endoscopic therapy due to its eff icacy and safety profile.Newer methods of endoscopic ablation such as radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy have been recently described which may afford broader areas of treatment per application,with lower rate of complications.This review will focus on endoscopic ablation therapies,including such newer modalities,for chronic radiation proctitis.

Thalidomide effect in endothelial cell of acute radiation proctitis

AIM: To determine whether thalidomide prevents microvascular injury in acute radiation proctitis in white rats. METHODS: Fourteen female Wistar rats were used: six in the radiation group, six in the thalidomide group, and two in normal controls. The radiation and thalidomide groups were irradiated at the pelvic area using a single 30 Gy exposure. The thalidomide (150 mg/kg) was injected into the peritoneum for 7 d from the day of irradiation. All animals were sacrificed and the rectums were removed on day 8 after irradiation. The microvessels of resected specimens were immunohistochemically stained with thrombomodulin (TM), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). RESULTS: The microscopic scores did not differ significantly between the radiation and thalidomide groups, but both were higher than in the control group. Expression of TM was significantly lower inthe endothelial cells (EC) of the radiation group than in the control and thalidomide groups (P < 0.001). The number of capillaries expressing vWF in the EC was higher in the radiation group (15.3 ± 6.8) than in the control group (3.7 ± 1.7), and the number of capillaries expressing vWF was attenuated by thalidomide (10.8 ± 3.5, P < 0.001). The intensity of VEGF expression in capillaries was greater in the radiation group than in the control group and was also attenuated by thalidomide (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The mechanisms of acute radiation- induced proctitis in the rats are related to endothelial cell injury of microvessel, which may be attenuated with thalidomide.

Endoscopic treatments for chronic radiation proctitis

Chronic radiation proctitis is a complication that occurs in patients who receive radiation therapy for pelvic malignancies. The common presentation is with rectal bleeding, but also rectal pain, diarrhea, tenesmus and even passage of mucus can occur. The optimal treatment of bleeding due to radiation proctitis remains unclear. Among various therapeutic options, medical management is generally ineffective and surgical intervention has a high incidence of morbidity. Promising advances have been made in endoscopic therapy, including argon plasma coagulation (APC), formalin application as well as new techniques such as radio-frequency ablation and cryoablation. APC is a safe, highly effective and long-lasting therapy in patients with rectal bleeding associated with radiation proctitis. It has been shown that several sessions of APC reduce the rate of bleeding and therefore the blood transfusion requirements. Moreover, the effect of treatment is long lasting. However, best results are achieved in patients with mild to moderate radiation proctitis, leaving space for alternative treatments for patients with more severe disease. In patients with severe or refractoryradiation proctitis intra rectal formalin application is an appropriate treatment option. Radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation have shown efficacy as alternative methods in a limited number of patients with refractory chronic radiation proctitis.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a complementary treatment for radiation proctitis:Useless or useful?-A literature review

Radiotherapy(RT)is the backbone of multimodality treatment of more than half of cancer cases.Despite new modern RT techniques,late complications may occur such as radiation proctitis(RP).The natural history of RP is unpredictable.Minor symptoms may resolve spontaneously or require conservative treatment.On the other hand,for similar and uncomplicated clinical contexts,symptoms may persist and can even be refractory to the progressive increase in treatment measures.Over the last decades,an enormous therapeutic armamentarium has been considered in RP,including hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBOT).Currently,the evidence regarding the impact of HBOT on RP and its benefits is conflicting.Additional prospective and randomised studies are necessary to validate HBOT’s effectiveness in the‘real world’clinical practice.This article reviewed the relevant literature on pathophysiology,clinical presentation,different classifications and discuss RP management including a proposal for a therapeutic algorithm with a focus on HBOT.

Qing Dai, a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qing Dai （indigo naturalis）, a traditional Chinese medicine, in the treatment for chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis. Methods： Ten patients with chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis between January 2005 to January 2008 were treated with Qing Dai. Qing Dai was administered orally at a dose of 1.5 g, bid for 5 consecutive days, every 2 weeks for two courses. Patients were followed up every 3 months. The clinical response and side-effects were evaluated. Results： Six patients showed improvement of rectal bleeding to grade 0-1 after 1 course of Qing Dai therapy. Four patients had reduced rectal bleeding to grade 0-1 after 2 courses of the therapy. The median follow-up time was 10 months （range： 6-24）. During the follow-up period, 1 patient experienced recurrent rectal bleeding and was managed with topical formalin dabbing, which controlled the symptom. No treatment toxicity was observed. Conclusion： Qing Dai may be a safe and effective treatment for chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis.

Efficacy and safety of berberine in the prophylactic treatment of acute radiation proctitis in postoperative patients with cervical cancer:a randomized controlled study

Objective The aiom of this study was to study the efficacy and safety of berberine as a prophylactic treatment of acute radiation proctitis in postoperative patients with cervical cancer.Methods A total of 120 postoperative patients with cervical cancer were enrolled between July 2016 and October 2019,and randomly divided into a treatment group(berberine 300 mg three times a day,n=60)and a control group(receiving vitamin C tablets,100 mg three times a day;n=60)using the random number table method.All patients received pelvic intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)and concurrent sensitizing chemotherapy weekly.The difference in the percentage of irradiation volume to the rectum and small intestine as well as the incidence,onset time,severity,and duration of acute radiation proctitis and cystitis during radiotherapy were compared between the two groups.The completion rate,completion time,number of chemotherapy sessions,and quality of life during radiotherapy were also compared.Results There were no statistical differences in age,FIGO stage,pathological type,complications,highrisk factors,and rectum and small intestine irradiation dose distribution(V20,V30,V40,and V50)between the two groups(P>0.05).No acute radiation proctitis of grade 3 or above occurred in the two groups.There was no significant difference in the incidence of acute radiation cystitis,grade 2 acute radiation proctitis,completion rate of IMRT,and frequency of sensitization chemotherapy between the two groups.After prophylactic treatment with berberine,the incidence of grade 1 acute radiation proctitis,occurrence of grade 1 radiation proctitis,and completion time of radiotherapy in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The SF-36 score of the treatment group after radiotherapy was 67.53±4.21,which was significantly better than that of the control group(64.90±6.32;P<0.05).The incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia in the treatment group was 10%and lower than that in the control group(31.7%,P=0.003).No adverse reactions related to berberine were observed.Conclusion Prophylactic prescription with oral berberine can reduce the incidence,onset time,and duration of grade 1 acute radiation proctitis,and improve the quality of life of postoperative patients with cervical cancer receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Management of ischemic proctitis with severe rectal haemorrhage: A case report

Acute ischemic proctitis is a rare pathological condition. We report here a patient presented with massive rectal haemorrhage from a bleeding vessel superimposed on an underlying pathology of ischemic proctitis. This case report illustrates the difficulties in making the clinical distinction between ischemic proctitis and other pathological entities. We also discussed the beneficial role of arteriogram with embolotherapy as an effective therapeutic measure in the management of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The literature on the subject is reviewed.

Application of 4% formaldehyde under electronic colonoscope as a minimally invasive treatment of chronic hemorrhagic radiation proctitis

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effectiveness of topical application of 4% formaldehyde as a minimally invasive treatment of rectal bleeding due to chronic radiation proctitis(CRP) under direct vision of electronic colonoscope.METHODS: The clinical data of 13 CRP patients complicated with ≥ grade Ⅱ bleeding admitted to our hospital between January 2003 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Under the guidance of electronic colonoscope,4% formaldehyde combined with 5-aminosalicylic acid(5-ASA) suppositories was topically applied. Patients were followed up for two months after treatment,and the therapeutic effectiveness was observed and analyzed.RESULTS: The rectal bleeding due to CRP was markedly reduced after topical application of 4% formaldehyde under colonoscope in all 13 patients. The bleeding stopped after one treatment session in 11 patients and after the second session in 2 patients. 5-ASA was also applied along with the use of 4% formaldehyde. The therapeutic effectiveness was satisfactory during the 1-and 2-month follow-up period.CONCLUSION: Topical application of 4% formaldehyde under the direct vision of colonoscope as a minimally invasive treatment for CRB-induced bleeding is a simple,effective,affordable,and repeatable technique without obvious complications,which deserves further exploration and promotion.

Syphilitic proctitis mimicking rectal cancer:A case report

Syphilitic proctitis is a rare disease. It usually presents as proctitis, ulcer and neoplasm but lacks pathognomonic clinical symptoms. It is, therefore, difficult to diagnose and is occasionally treated inappropriately. We report the case of a 51-year-old man who had a hard, ulcerated mass, which occupied the circumference of the rectal wall and which mimicked a rectal tumor. Fortu nately, positive finding from routine toluidine red un heated serum test and treponema pallidum particle ag glutination tests made us reevaluate the patient and led us to suspect syphilitic proctitis. This diagnosis was finally confirmed after successful penicillin G benzathine therapy which made surgery unnecessary.

Refractory Ulcerative Proctitis—A Brief Review

Ulcerative proctitis (UP) is a common condition in adult patients and can be very dif-ficult to treat. This review considers critically the definition of this entity, its epidemi-ology and course, and the modes of therapy currently available. Therapies currently in development are considered as well.

A Meta-Analysis of Treating Radiation Proctitis by Retention Enema with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

Objective:To systematically and objectively evaluate clinical efficacy of retention enema with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine on radiation proctitis(RP).Methods:CNKI,WANFANG,VIP,CMB and foreign language databases like Embase,Central and Medline were searched.Search dates were from establishment of the databases until May 2020.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of retention enema with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine for RP were retrieved.Two system reviewers selected literature materials,extracted literature data,and evaluated the quality of the literatures.RevMan 5.3 software was used for data analysis.Results:A total of 12 studies were included,including 941 patients.Meta-analysis results showed:Clinical efficacy in the retention enema group with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine was better than that in the simple western medicine enema or blank enema group(OR=5.96,95%CI[5.50,14.29],P<0.00001).Improvement of abdominal pain in the retention enema group with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine was better than that in the control group(MD=-0.57,95%CI[-0.72,-0.42],P<0.00001).Treatment for hematochezia in the retention enema group with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine was better than that in the control group(MD=-0.55,95%CI[-0.69,-0.42],P<0.00001).Improvement of diarrhea in the retention enema group with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine was better than that in the control group(MD=-0.69,95%CI[-0.91,-0.48],P<0.00001).KPS scores in the retention enema group with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine were better than those in the control group(MD=11.91,95%CI[3.81,20.01],P<0.00001).Conclusion:Clinical efficacy of retention enema with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine on RP is better than simple western medicine enema or blank enema.Due to the low quality of the included clinical literatures,it is necessary to carry out more deliberate,detailed,high-quality,randomized,double-blind,and multi-center RCTs in order to give more powerful demonstration on its clinical efficacy on RP.

Qingchang suppositry(清肠栓)induced remission in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative proctitis:a multicenter,prospective,randomized,parallel-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qingchang suppository(清肠栓,QCS),a preparation of Chinese herbal medicine,in the induction of remission in patients with mild-to-moderate ulcerative proctitis(UP).METHODS:We performed a multicenter,prospective,randomized,parallel-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of QCS induction therapy in 140 adult patients with mild-to-moderate UP and TCM syndrome of dampness-heat in large intestine.The patients were randomized to receive QCS(study group)or Salicylazosulfapyridine(SASP)suppository(control group)one piece each time,twice a day,per anum for 12 weeks.Mayo score and main symptoms score were evaluated at weeks 0,2,4,8 and 12,rectosigmoidscopy was taken at weeks 0,4,8 and 12,Geboes score,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP)and safety indexes were assessed at weeks 0 and 12.The primary efficacy endpoint is clinical remission rate,the secondary efficacy endpoints are clinical response rate,mucosa healing rate,Geboes score,the remission rates of the main symptoms,the median day to the remission of the symptom,etc.RESULTS:There were no statistical difference in the clinical remission rates,the clinical response rates,the mucosa healing rates,Geboes score,ESR and CRP between the two groups.The remission rates of tenesmus and anal burning sensation of the study group were significantly higher than those of the control group(76.5%vs 25.0%,P=0.009;74.51%vs 29.63%,P=0.003).The median day to the remission of purulent bloody stool of the study group was significantly less than that of control group[11(1,64)vs 19(2,67),P=0.007].The patients receiving QCS had a significantly higher mucosa healing rate at week 4 than the patients receiving SASP suppository(71.42%vs 52.85%,P=0.023).No adverse event occurred in the study group while the adverse events incidence of the control group was 5.7%(P=0.049).CONCLUSIONS:QCS could induce the remission of UP as effectively and safely as SASP suppository,and was superior to SASP suppository in relieving the symptoms of tenesmus,anal burning sensation and purulent bloody stool and the time to reach mucosa healing.

Treatment of severe radiation proctitis with high dosage of vitamin C in combination with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor

Objective:To explore the new treatment strategies for radiation proctitis,which is the most common complication of pelvic tumor malignancies.Methods:Four cases of patients with severe radiation proctitis were treated with high-dosage vitamin C(VC,12–24 g/d,iv)combined with cyclooxygenase-2(cyclooxygenase-2,COX-2)inhibitors.Results:For these four cases,the diarrhea,hematochezia,tenesmus,pain,and other symptoms were significantly improved.The edema of the rectal wall is also significantly improved in the imaging review.Conclusion:The high-dosage VC combined with the treatment of severe radiation proctitis is safe and effective.