Enteritis
Description
Enteritis is an inflammation of the intestine; the term applies chiefly to the small intestine. In the context of cancer, enteritis is a functional disorder of the large and small bowel that occurs as a result of radiation therapy applied to the abdomen, pelvis, or rectum. It occurs at the onset of radiation therapy (acute radiation enteritis) and may also reappear after completion of the radiation treatment (chronic enteritis).
Causes
Radiation enteritis occurs because the large and small intestines are sensitive to all forms of ionizing radiation. Some areas of the gastrointestinal tract are more sensitive to radiation than others; the colon is more sensitive to the effects of radiation...
[The entire page is 1062 words long]
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