Korean J Gastroenterol.  2002 Oct;40(4):247-254.

Risk Factors of Radiation Colitis Following Radiotherapy of Uterine Cervix Carcinoma

• Kang NY
• Kim JS
• Wu HG
• Kim BG
• Nam SM
• Jang EJ
• Jung HC
• Song IS

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Radiation therapy is an effective treatment modality for uterine cervix carcinoma. The adverse effects, however, can be seen as acute and chronic colitis, which may lead to serious complications including fistula, bleeding, and stricture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of radiation-induced colitis and analyze the predictive factors of chronic bowel complications.
METHODS
All 192 consecutive patients were enrolled from January 1995 to April 1998. The characteristics of acute and chronic complications were analyzed retrospectively. The acute and chronic complications were graded according to EORTC/RTOG grading criteria. Risk factors of chronic colitis were obtained by univariate and multivariate analyses.
RESULTS
Of 192 patients, 142 (74%) developed acute bowel complications (38/grade I, 93/II, and 11/III). The common symptoms were diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Fifty-six (29%) of the 192 patients developed chronic bowel complications (23/grade I, 10/II, 11/III, and 12/IV). In univariate analysis, age, body mass index, hypertension, abdominal surgery, and intracavitary radiation (ICR) were statistically significant in the development of chronic colitis. Multivariate analysis revealed that ICR had the greatest prognostic significance.
CONCLUSIONS
The patients treated with ICR have a high probability of developing chronic radiation-induced colitis. A meticulous follow-up is needed to manage these patients promptly.

Keyword

Radiation colitis; Radiotherapy; Uterine cervix carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Body Mass Index
Cervix Uteri*
Colitis*
Constriction, Pathologic
Diarrhea
Female
Fistula
Follow-Up Studies
Hemorrhage
Humans
Hypertension
Multivariate Analysis
Nausea
Radiotherapy*
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors*