To investigate the expression of the IL-17 and IL-23 in chronic radiation proctitis(CRP). Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in 31 CRP patients and 30 normal colonic mucosal tissues. Results The positive expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in CRP was higher than that in normal colonic mucosal tissues (p = 0.000). The expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in CRP significantly correlated with the parameters of symptoms and endoscopic scores (p = 0.000). There was a significant correlation between the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in the intestinal mucosa of patients with CRP ( r = 0.731,p = 0.000). Conclusions IL-17/IL-23 axis may play an important role in the development and progression of CRP.