Ischemic proctitis after low‐dose‐rate brachytherapy using hydrogel spacer for prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: Recently, an absorbable hydrogel spacer is becoming more widespread to reduce rectal radiation dose for radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79‐year‐old male patient was referred to our hospital for radical treatment of organ‐confined prostate cancer. Low‐dose‐rate brachytherapy was performed, and the hydrogel spacer injection was added. The spacer was properly injected between the prostate and the rectum, causing no acute complications during hospitalization. Two months after low‐dose‐rate brachytherapy, the patient visited our hospital with constipation and melena, without fever. He was diagnosed with ischemic proctitis based on clinical courses and examinations. He was hospitalized for 19 days and made a complete recovery with conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Herein, we report the first case of ischemic proctitis after low‐dose‐rate brachytherapy using hydrogel spacer for prostate cancer.