Anorectal injury following pelvic radiotherapy.
Br J Surg
; 88(8): 1037-48, 2001 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11488787
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Current knowledge of the effects of radiation on the anorectum is based on a limited number of studies. Variability in delivery techniques, both currently and historically, combined with a paucity of prospective and randomized studies makes interpretation of the literature difficult. This review presents the existing evidence and identifies areas that require further work.METHODS:
This review is based on a literature search (Medline and PubMed) and manual cross-referencing. RESULTS ANDCONCLUSION:
More than three-quarters of patients receiving pelvic radiotherapy experience acute anorectal symptoms and up to one-fifth suffer from late-phase radiation proctitis. About 5 per cent develop other chronic complications, such as fistula, stricture and disabling faecal incontinence. The risk of rectal cancer may be increased. Conservative treatment options are of limited value. Surgery may be considered if symptoms are severe, provided sphincter function is adequate and recurrent disease is excluded. Large prospective studies with accurate dosimetric data and long-term follow-up are needed to provide meaningful information on which to base new strategies to minimize the side-effects from radiotherapy.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Radiation Injuries
/
Radiotherapy
/
Rectum
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Guideline
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Systematic_reviews
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Br J Surg
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United kingdom