Radiation Enteritis

Reviewed 06/2019

BASICS

Radiation enteritis (RE) is an inflammatory injury to the large and small intestines resulting from radiation therapy (RT).
Many cancer patients receive RT as part of their treatment. As a resul...

DIAGNOSIS

All patients with a history of RT are at risk. Although the diagnosis can usually be made based on clinical history, it is important to rule out other causes.
Many do not seek medical care fo...

TREATMENT

Evidence-based treatment of RE is limited.
Acute RE: Treat symptomatically (diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain).
Spontaneous resolution is common in cases of acute RE.
Chronic RE: There continu...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Depression is common and may contribute to malnutrition. Use of antidepressants may offer benefit. Emotional support at follow-up visits is important.

DIET

Malnutr...

REFERENCES

Harb AH, Abou Fadel C, Sharara AI. Radiation enteritis. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2014;16(5):383. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]

Shadad AK, Sullivan FJ, Martin JD, et al. Gastrointesti...

ADDITIONAL READING

Samuelian JM, Callister MD, Ashman JB, et al. Reduced acute bowel toxicity in patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy for rectal cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys....

CODES

ICD10

K52.0 Gastroenteritis and colitis due to radiation

ICD9

558.1 Gastroenteritis and colitis due to radiation

SNOMED

73817000 Enteritis due to radiation (disorder)
235707005 Acute radiation enter...

CLINICAL PEARLS

Radiation injury to the intestinal tract is common and can occur at any time (even decades) after RT.
Delayed diagnosis is common because medications, advanced/ongoing malignancy, and o...

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