[Radiation-induced proctitis: symptoms, pathophysiology and treatment]

Abstract

Radiotherapy is a major treatment of pelvic tumours. It exposes to the risk of acute and long-term side effects, such as radiation proctitis. Radiation proctitis is a complex disease requiring support ranging from initial contact with the patient until several years after completion of radiotherapy. This care includes preventive measures (clinical and dosimetric factors), detection and medical and surgical treatments. This article aims to make a review of radiation proctitis induced during the treatment of pelvic cancers.