What Researchers Did
The researchers reviewed existing knowledge about how often, why, and how to treat fecal incontinence that occurs after radiation therapy.
What They Found
They found that fecal incontinence can affect up to one-third of patients after radiation treatment, based on retrospective data. This condition is caused by changes in anal muscle tone, squeeze pressure, and rectal capacity. Treatment mainly focuses on managing related issues like proctitis or diarrhea, with surgery being a last resort.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients who have undergone radiation therapy for conditions like colorectal cancer may experience fecal incontinence as a late complication. This review highlights that managing symptoms like proctitis or diarrhea is the primary approach, rather than surgical intervention. While this review does not discuss hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), HBOT is a recognized treatment for delayed radiation injury, which can include radiation proctitis.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted by Canadian authors or in Canada. However, it covers radiation-induced proctitis, which is a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
The incidence of fecal incontinence was an approximate estimate based on retrospective data, which may not be as precise as prospective studies.