Late small bowel toxicity after adjuvant treatment for rectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
For locally advanced rectal cancer surgery as sole treatment results in poor local control and survival. After adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer, small bowel toxicity has been the most frequent and serious side effect. The gain in survival and local control was accompanied by severe late chronic toxicity reducing the benefit of adjuvant treatment.


METHODS
Clinical factors, pathology and treatment of late small bowel toxicity after adjuvant radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer will be discussed. This review will focus on different surgical and radiotherapeutic means reducing the risk of late small bowel damage.
Guckenberger
Matthias
M
Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie der Universität Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11, 97080 Würzburg, Germany. guckenberg_m@klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
Flentje
Michael
M
D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000139:chemically induced; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology