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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Illustration showing the rectum Rectum

Proctitis is an inflammation of the lining of the rectum. The rectum is a muscular tube that's connected to the end of your colon. Stool passes through the rectum on its way out of the body.

Proctitis can cause rectal pain and the continuous sensation that you need to have a bowel movement. Proctitis symptoms can be short-lived, or they may become chronic.

Proctitis has many possible causes, including sexually transmitted diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases and non-sexually transmitted infections. Proctitis may also be a side effect of radiation therapy for cancer.

Symptoms
References
  1. Proctitis. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/proctitis/index.htm. Accessed Feb. 26, 2010.
  2. Leiper K, et al. Treatment of radiation proctitis. Clinical Oncology. 2007;19:724.
  3. Lee PK, et al. Condyloma and other infections including human immunodeficiency virus. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2010;90:99.
  4. Coates WC. Disorders of the anorectum. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniq=192498651. Accessed Feb. 26, 2010.
  5. Zuckerman KS. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/186591636-6/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 2, 2010.
  6. Stamm WE, et al. Chlamydia trachomatis (trachoma, perinatal infections, lymphogranuloma venereum and other genital infections). In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..X0001-X--TOP&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&uniq=192498651. Accessed March 2, 2010.
  7. Stenson WF. Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/186591636-6/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 2, 2010.
  8. Lakatos PL, et al. Ulcerative proctitis: A review of pharmacotherapy and management. Expert Opinion Pharmacotherapy. 2008;9:741.
  9. Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. March 10, 2010.
DS00705 April 3, 2010

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