Prophylaxis and treatment of gastrointestinal tract dysfunction as side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Abstract

Dysfunction of the digestive tract is a common and serious problem affecting patients with neoplasms treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of both. Mucosal barrier injury, including oral and gastrointestinal mucositis, or nausea and vomiting are the most common and distressing effects of anti-cancer therapy, profoundly influencing quality of life. Patients with mucositis may suffer from painful ulcers of mucosa, bleeding, dysphagia, diarrhea, infections, food intake impairment and require longer periods of hospitalization. Then, mucositis are associated with the significant health and financial costs. In the last decade, a better insight into the pathogenesis of these complications has led to the development of novel therapeutic options and allowed to update guidelines for more effective care of patients with oral and gastrointestinal mucositis and for the prevention of chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced nausea and vomiting.
Hematologia 2011; 2, 2: 149–161