Evaluation of short-chain fatty acid enemas: treatment of radiation proctitis.

Abstract

Radiation proctitis is a common complication of abdominal and pelvic radiotherapy; unfortunately, there is no established effective therapy for radiation proctitis. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) have been effectively used to treat a variety of colitides. We sought to determine whether SCFA enemas have a role in the treatment of radiation proctitis. Seven patients completed an open-labeled, pilot study to evaluate the effect of SCFA on clinical, endoscopic, and pathological parameters of radiation proctitis. Four weeks of treatment with SCFA enemas resulted in clinical improvement in all patients. There were modest, but not significant, changes in endoscopic and pathological parameters. SCFA are a promising therapeutic option in radiation proctitis.