“Is diarrhea common with radiation therapy?”
My cousin started to have radiation therapy for his gallbladder and he constantly has diarrhea, or the runs. Is this connected to the radiation?
5 Answers
it may be related but please discuss the situation with the doctors
Diarrhea is a function of location. Treatment of the gallbladder area can cause some diarrhea, but some of it could be because of non-functional gallbladder, which helps with biliary function.
It is common in that area because of small bowels located nearby. Symptoms are also aggravated by chemotherapy (5 FU).
Dr. Joshua N. Halpern
Radiation Oncologist
Bowel radiation may cause hypermotility if the intestine and diarrhea, but only if the bowel is in the radiation field and it depends on the radiation dose. Usually fiber free diet may help. Condition is reversible after completion of the radiation.
Dear Concerned Cousin,
I am not privy to your cousin’s complete medical history, or the details of her total cancer treatment regimen, i.e., other modalities such as chemotherapy, etc. However, I can state that radiation therapy is certainly (at least) contributing to your cousin’s diarrhea. Radiation, when administered to treat cancer in the abdomen usually causes diarrhea because the bowel, which is located in the abdomen, is quite sensitive to radiation.When the bowel is exposed to radiation, the lining of the bowel is affected such that it is less effective and less efficient at absorbing fluids/water. This results in the loss of more fluid (and other nutrients), which in turn produces frequent ‘liquid’ excretory product, referred to as diarrhea.Your cousin’s cancer care team will encourage adequate hydration during this period. Other recommended dietary modifications include: the intake of foods rich in soluble fibers such as banana, rice, applesauce; and the avoidance of insoluble fibers such as raw vegetables. Other recommended interventions include anti-diarrhea medications such as Imodium. However, I would encourage your cousin to discuss, in detail, the recommended interventions and management of radiation-induced diarrhea with her oncology team. Lastly, for some reassurance, in most cases the episodes of diarrhea decrease after the course of radiation is complete. Admittedly, we cannot predict the exact interval for resolution of diarrhea post completion of treatment; as this varies with each patient, the extent of the treatment field, and other confounding factors. However, it is reassuring to note that most radiation- induced cases of diarrhea are not chronic, and thus will dissipate with time.
I sincerely hope that the explanation provided above is both helpful and informative.
Regards,
Dr. EB
I am not privy to your cousin’s complete medical history, or the details of her total cancer treatment regimen, i.e., other modalities such as chemotherapy, etc. However, I can state that radiation therapy is certainly (at least) contributing to your cousin’s diarrhea. Radiation, when administered to treat cancer in the abdomen usually causes diarrhea because the bowel, which is located in the abdomen, is quite sensitive to radiation.When the bowel is exposed to radiation, the lining of the bowel is affected such that it is less effective and less efficient at absorbing fluids/water. This results in the loss of more fluid (and other nutrients), which in turn produces frequent ‘liquid’ excretory product, referred to as diarrhea.Your cousin’s cancer care team will encourage adequate hydration during this period. Other recommended dietary modifications include: the intake of foods rich in soluble fibers such as banana, rice, applesauce; and the avoidance of insoluble fibers such as raw vegetables. Other recommended interventions include anti-diarrhea medications such as Imodium. However, I would encourage your cousin to discuss, in detail, the recommended interventions and management of radiation-induced diarrhea with her oncology team. Lastly, for some reassurance, in most cases the episodes of diarrhea decrease after the course of radiation is complete. Admittedly, we cannot predict the exact interval for resolution of diarrhea post completion of treatment; as this varies with each patient, the extent of the treatment field, and other confounding factors. However, it is reassuring to note that most radiation- induced cases of diarrhea are not chronic, and thus will dissipate with time.
I sincerely hope that the explanation provided above is both helpful and informative.
Regards,
Dr. EB
