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Radiation enteritis
Definition:
Enteritis occurs when the lining of the small intestine swells and becomes inflamed. When the abdomen is radiated, the normal intestine in the radiation field can be damaged. Side effects including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea often occur during or immediately after radiation therapy. Damage that persists and causes long-standing inflammation in the intestine is called radiation enteritis and results in long-term diarrhea. Text Continues Below
Alternative Names:
Radiation enteropathy; Radiation-induced small bowel injury
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Exposure of the abdomen to radiation can cause radiation enteritis. Anyone whose cancer requires radiation therapy to the abdomen (such as women with cervical or uterine cancer or anyone with rectal cancer) is at risk. When the normal intestine in the radiation field becomes inflamed (enteritis), a patient can develop nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms often occur during or immediately after radiation therapy. If the damage lasts only a short time, it is called acute radiation enteritis, but if damage persists and causes long-standing inflammation in the intestine, it is called chronic radiation enteritis and results in long-term diarrhea.
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