Elevated Rectal Leukotriene B4, Thromboxane B2 and Prostaglandin E2 Levels in Patients Having Pelvic Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy to the pelvis may cause an early radiation bowel reaction in up to 75% of patients (1, 2). Symptoms are usually of diarrhoea. Histologically there is neutrophil and other inflammatory cell infiltration with oedema ulceration and epithelial cell loss. This contrasts with the late reaction which may occur years after treatment. The symptoms of the late reaction after pelvic irradiation may be rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fistula formation. Histology the late reaction shows ulceration, fibrosis and telangiectasia.