Any radiotherapy regrets ?

User

Posted 14 Aug 2025 at 12:15

I had radiotherapy 4 years ago aged 70. It did the job and my psa is now 0.07. However I recently started feeling tired again and so my gp requested a poo test which came back positive. I'm now nervously awaiting results after a CT colonoscopy for possible colon cancer.. I just remember reading there was a very small risk involved and I agreed to the spacer gell being inserted before treatment to protect the rectum. I now find myself having regrets for not choosing surgery but of course its too late. Anyone else have a similar experience ?

User

Posted 15 Aug 2025 at 09:31

Thanks for the reply, Kev.

Yes you are right. No point dwelling on the past just have to move forward now.

At least the radiotherapy has sorted out our prostates for us so that's good.

Stay well.

Tony

User

Posted 17 Aug 2025 at 23:24

I suspect 4 years is too soon for radiation induced bowl cancer. I think 10-20 years is more the time frame.

4 years is about the peak time for radiation proctitis, bleeding due to the growth of fine fragile blood vessels caused by healing after radiotherapy. This is usually harmless at the medical level unless it's happening enough to cause anemia, but it can be alarming. There are various treatments to cauterise these blood vessels. If there is any bowel bleeding, you do have to be checked for cancer obviously.

Has your GP checked your Testosteroe level, to make sure it recovered after the hormone therapy?

Edited by member 17 Aug 2025 at 23:27 | Reason: Not specified

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User

Posted 14 Aug 2025 at 14:59

Hi Tony,

I'm no expert but I suppose anyone can get colon cancer so it might not necessarily mean that radiotherapy had anything to do with it.

I had SRT three years ago and have the same what if thoughts.

Good luck,

Kev.

User

Posted 15 Aug 2025 at 09:31

Thanks for the reply, Kev.

Yes you are right. No point dwelling on the past just have to move forward now.

At least the radiotherapy has sorted out our prostates for us so that's good.

Stay well.

Tony

User

Posted 17 Aug 2025 at 23:24

I suspect 4 years is too soon for radiation induced bowl cancer. I think 10-20 years is more the time frame.

Has your GP checked your Testosteroe level, to make sure it recovered after the hormone therapy?

Edited by member 17 Aug 2025 at 23:27 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 18 Aug 2025 at 10:43

Thanks for your reply Andy.

All blood tests came back normal including testosterone and anemia. Something doesnt quite add up and I can't figure it. Al I know is that I feel very tired all the time even worse than after prostate radiotherapy so I just have to wait on results now and go from there.

I remember reading that there was a very small risk but so far I've not been able to find anyone on this site who has actually experienced colon or rectal cancer after radiotherapy.

User

Posted 18 Aug 2025 at 19:32

This has happened here, but not due to the radiotherapy.

You would need to find people treated around 2005, and there probably aren't many of them here.

Was your Vitamin B12 level checked?
If not, you can get an idea if that might be a problem by looking at your mean cell volume (MCV).

User

Posted 18 Aug 2025 at 20:14

Ok I’ll check that out thanks.

User

Posted 19 Aug 2025 at 00:46

Tony , my salvage RT did considerable but rare damage to my bladder and I now have a permanent suprapubic catheter. I must stress my type of damage is rare. I don't regret having the treatment it did eradicate the cancer to the prostate bed but unfortunately the cancer had already spread to pastures new. It probably slowed things down. Life is full of risks. I saw my oncologist the other day , I didn't hear the comment he made but my wife did , " those tablets are keeping you out of the wooden box.

My attitude is " it is what it is".

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 19 Aug 2025 at 09:58

That's true Chris, we all have to move on with life.

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