Preliminary clinical analysis of radiation proctitis treated with argon plasma coagulation combined with submucosal injection

Objective To preliminarily evaluate the clinical efficacy of endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) combined with sub-mucosal injection of norepinephrine saline in the treatment of radiation proctitis (RP), especially for refractory RP. Methods Clinical data of 22 RP patients were retrospectively analyzed. The severity of RP was evaluated by a modified endoscopy scoring system (A) or Sherman′s classification (B). The criteria of successful treatment are the improvement of clinical symptoms or the cessation of bleeding (or only occasional traces of blood on the stools that do not need further treatment). Results All 22 patients were successfully treated. Among them, 18 patients (82%) had no bleeding. According to the classification of A, 15 patients (68%) had mild proctitis and 7(32%) experienced severe proctitis. Based on B classification, 9 patients (41%) were categorized as mild proctitis and 13(59%) as severe proctitis. Using the classification of A, the number of treatment sessions was significantly correlated with the endoscopic grade (or endoscopic total score)(Spearman’s r=0.86, P<0.001). Conclusions Preliminary evidence demonstrates that endoscopic APC combined with sub-mucosal injection of norepinephrine saline is not only effective for mild and moderate RP, but also maintains long-term efficacy for refractory RP. Modified endoscopy scoring system (A) assessment is more suitable for clinical application compared with B assessment. Key words: Radiation proctitis/argon plasma coagulation; Radiation proctitis/combined therapy; Treatment outcome