Open AccessRadiation Induced Diarrhoea — Literature Review
Author(s) -
Hopkins Melissa
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
radiographer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2051-3909
pISSN - 0033-8273
DOI - 10.1002/j.2051-3909.2004.tb00021.x
Subject(s) - radiation therapy , medicine , diarrhea , intensive care medicine , surgery
Radiation‐induced diarrhoea is an acute side effect of radiotherapy treatment to the pelvic area, experienced by nearly all patients. This paper will explore the patho‐physiological rationale of diarrhoea, the causes of radiation‐induced diarrhoea, the factors that influence the severity and occurrence, and the treatment of diarrhoea in relation to the radiotherapy setting, by analysing the current literature and will conclude by outlining future directions in this field.