Improvement Effect of Dexamethasone Enema for Acute Radiation-induced Rectal Injury

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18 to 75 years, regardless of gender;
• Fully understand this study and voluntarily sign the informed consent form, able to comply with the study protocol and complete all trial procedures;
• Patients pathologically diagnosed with rectal cancer;
• Undergoing conventional pelvic radiotherapy (total dose of 40-50.4Gy in 25-28 fractions);
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of 0-1, with an expected survival time of more than 6 months;
• Assessment by the attending physician and researcher indicates that vital organ function can tolerate the treatment risks.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe comorbidities, including uncontrolled stable medical diseases after treatment, or a history of neurological or psychiatric disorders (such as dementia or epilepsy), making them unsuitable for radiotherapy;
• Patients who have received pelvic radiotherapy;
• Presence of malignant pleural effusion or malignant abdominal effusion, or accompanied by bowel obstruction;
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women;
• Patients expected to undergo major surgery during the study period;
• Participation in other clinical trials within 4 weeks prior to enrollment;
• A history of alcohol abuse, drug use, or substance abuse within the past year;
• Severe allergic constitution, or allergy to dexamethasone;
• Inability to cooperate with the enema;
• Subjects deemed unsuitable for participation in this trial for other reasons by the researcher.