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Radiation enteritis
Radiation enteropathy; Radiation-induced small bowel injury; Post-radiation enteritis
Radiation enteritis is damage to the lining of the intestines (bowels) caused by radiation therapy , which is a type of cancer treatment.
Enteritis
Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Causes
Radiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells. The therapy may also damage healthy cells in the lining of the intestines.
People who have radiation therapy to the belly or pelvic area are at risk. These may include people with cervical, pancreatic, prostate, uterine, or colon and rectal cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms may vary, depending on which part of the intestines received the radiation. Symptoms can be worse if:
- You have chemotherapy at the same time as the radiation.
- You receive stronger doses of radiation.
- A larger area of your intestines receives radiation.
Symptoms may occur during or shortly after or long after radiation treatment.
Changes in bowel movements may include:
- Bleeding or mucus from the rectum
- Diarrhea or watery stools
- Feeling the need to have a bowel movement most or all of the time
- Pain in the rectal area, especially during bowel movements
Other symptoms can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
Most of the time, these symptoms get better within 2 to 3 months after radiation treatment ends.
When symptoms become long-term (chronic), other problems may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea
- Greasy or fatty stools
- Weight loss
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your medical history.
Tests may include:
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Barium x-ray
examination
Barium x-ray
An upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test....
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Sigmoidoscopy
or
colonoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum. The sigmoid colon is the area of the large intestine nearest to the re...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleColonoscopy
A colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...
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Upper endoscopy
Upper endoscopy
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine.
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Treatment
Starting a low-fiber diet on the first day of radiation treatment may help you avoid problems. The best choice of foods depends on your symptoms.
Some things can make symptoms worse, and should be avoided. These include:
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Almost all milk products
- Coffee, tea, chocolate, and sodas with caffeine
- Foods containing whole bran
- Fresh and dried fruits
- Fried, greasy, or fatty foods
- Nuts and seeds
- Popcorn, potato chips, and pretzels
- Raw vegetables
- Rich pastries and baked goods
- Some fruit juices
- Strong spices
Foods and drinks that are better choices include:
- Apple or grape juice
- Applesauce, peeled apples, and bananas
- Eggs, buttermilk, and yogurt
- Fish, poultry, and meat that has been broiled or roasted
- Mild, cooked vegetables, such as asparagus tips, green or black beans, carrots, spinach, and squash
- Potatoes that have been baked, boiled, or mashed
- Processed cheeses, such as American cheese
- Smooth peanut butter
- White bread, macaroni, or noodles
Your provider may have you use certain medicines such as:
- Drugs that help decrease diarrhea, such as loperamide
- Pain medicines
- Steroid foam that coats the lining of the rectum
- Special enzymes to replace enzymes from the pancreas
Other things you can do include:
- Eat foods at room temperature.
- Eat small meals more often.
- Drink plenty of fluids, up to 12 8-ounce (240 milliter) glasses every day when you have diarrhea. Some people will need fluids given through a vein (intravenous fluids).
Your provider may choose to decrease your radiation for a short period of time.
There often are no good treatments for chronic radiation enteritis that is more severe.
- Medicines such as cholestyramine, diphenoxylate-atropine, loperamide, or sucralfate may help.
- You may need to consider surgery to either remove or go around (bypass) a section of damaged intestine.
Outlook (Prognosis)
When the abdomen receives radiation, there is always some nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In most cases, the symptoms get better within 2 to 3 months after treatment ends.
However, when this condition develops, symptoms may last for a long period of time. Long-term (chronic) enteritis is rarely curable.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
-
Bleeding and
anemia
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Different type...
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Dehydration
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how muc...
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-
Malabsorption
Malabsorption
Malabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in nutrients from food.
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Malnutrition
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if you are having radiation therapy or have had it in the past and are having a lot of diarrhea or stomach pain and cramping.
References
Kuemmerle JF. Inflammatory and anatomic diseases of the intestine, peritoneum, mesentery, and omentum. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 142.
Palta M, Willet CG, Czito BG. Radiation injury. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 40.
National Cancer Institute. Gastrointestinal complications PDQ. Updated May 12, 2015. www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/constipation/GI-complications-pdq . Accessed May 24, 2016.
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Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
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Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
-
Digestive system - illustration
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Digestive system
illustration
-
Digestive system organs - illustration
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
Digestive system organs
illustration
Review Date: 5/11/2016
Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist with Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
