Alternate Names: Radiation enteropathy; Radiation induced small bowel injury

Causes and Risks: Exposure of the abdomen to radiation causes Radiation Enteritis. Anyone whose cancer requires radiation therapy to the abdomen (such as women with cervical or uterine cancer or people with rectal cancer) is at risk.

Prevention: By limiting the amount of radiation given to the intestines if possible, you can avoid radiation enteritis.

Symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Anorexia

Signs and Tests: Usually, diagnosis is made by physical exam and history. Occasionally, your doctor may order a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy to look at the lining of intestine directly. These tests are conducted under general anesthesia and a small camera is placed in the intestine to look for inflammation. Biopsies of suspicious areas may also be taken during the procedure.

Treatment:

If the cancer was found early and symptoms are present during radiation therapy, often radiation can be stopped for a short period of time or the dosage of radiation adjusted. It is important for you to report all symptoms to your doctor so adjustments can be made as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage.

Unfortunately, there often are no good treatments for chronic Radiation Enteritis. Symptomatic control is the best approach. This includes eating small frequent meals and taking anti-diarrheal or anti-spasmodic agents.

Prognosis: When the abdomen is radiated, there is always some degree of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In most cases, the symptoms are self-limiting and resolve when the treatments are completed. Rarely, the symptoms persist long-term.

Complications:

• Dehydration
• Malnutrition
• Weight loss

If you are undergoing radiation therapy or have had radiation in the past and are experiencing a lot of diarrhea, you should call your doctor.