Radiation Enteritis

What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?

Acute symptoms of radiation enteritis occur during and right after radiation therapy to any cancer of the abdomen or pelvis. They include:

These symptoms may worsen even after the radiation is completed. With treatment, these problems subside.

Chronic symptoms occur many months or years after treatment. They include:

Sometimes an intestinal obstruction will form that will cause severe nausea and vomiting. A fistula, or abnormal opening from one part of the bowel to another organ, may also occur.