Research Article
Ozone Therapy in the Management of Persistent
Radiation-Induced Rectal Bleeding in Prostate Cancer Patients
Bernardino Clavo,1,2,3,4,5 Norberto Santana-Rodriguez,3,4 Pedro Llontop,3
Dominga Gutierrez,1,4 Daniel Ceballos,6 Charlin Méndez,3 Gloria Rovira,7
Gerardo Suarez,1,4 Dolores Rey-Baltar,1,4 Laura Garcia-Cabrera,1
Gregorio Martínez-Sánchez,8 and Dolores Fiuza3
1Radiation Oncology, Dr. Negrin University Hospital, 35.010 Las Palmas, Spain
2Chronic Pain, Dr. Negrin University Hospital, 35.010 Las Palmas, Spain
3Experimental Surgery-Research Unit, Dr. Negrin University Hospital, 35.010 Las Palmas, Spain
4Canary Islands Institute for Cancer Research (ICIC), 35.010 Las Palmas, Spain
5Spanish Group for Clinical Research in Radiation Oncology (GICOR), Madrid, Spain
6Gastroenterology, Dr. Negrin University Hospital, 35.010 Las Palmas, Spain
7Ozone Therapy Unit, Quiron Hospital, 08.023 Barcelona, Spain
8Medical Center Beauty Benefit-San Biagio di Osimo, Osimo, 60.027 Ancona, Italy
Correspondence should be addressed to Bernardino Clavo; bernardinoclavo@gmail.com
Received 21 May 2015; Revised 24 June 2015; Accepted 30 June 2015
Academic Editor: Olumayokun A. Olajide
Copyright © 2015 Bernardino Clavo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
Introduction. Persistent radiation-induced proctitis and rectal bleeding are debilitating complications with limited therapeutic options. We present our experience with ozone therapy in the management of such refractory rectal bleeding. Methods. Patients (� = 12) previously irradiated for prostate cancer with persistent or severe rectal bleeding without response to conventional treatment were enrolled to receive ozone therapy via rectal insufflations and/or topical application of ozonized-oil. Ten (83%) patients had Grade 3 or Grade 4 toxicity. Median follow-up after ozone therapy was 104 months (range: 52–119). Results. Following ozone therapy, the median grade of toxicity improved from 3 to 1 (� < 0.001) and the number of endoscopy treatments from 37 to 4 (� = 0.032). Hemoglobin levels changed from 11.1 (7–14) g/dL to 13 (10–15) g/dL, before and after ozone therapy, respectively (� = 0.008). Ozone therapy was well tolerated and no adverse effects were noted, except soft and temporary flatulence for some hours after each session. Conclusions. Ozone therapy was effective in radiation-induced rectal bleeding in prostate cancer patients without serious adverse events. It proved useful in the management of rectal bleeding and merits further evaluation.