EFFECTS OF ACTIVE ADDITION OF BACTERIAL CULTURES IN FERMENTED MILK TOPATIENTS WITH CHRONIC BOWEL DISCOMFORT FOLLOWING IRRADIATION

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of malignancies in the pelvis. Consequently, there is usually exposure of the intestine and e specially the lower colon and rectum, with ensuing disturbances in bow el habits at different times following radiotherapy. The main problem is diarrhoea associated with lactose intolerance, bile salt absorption and fat malabsorption. Bacterial contamination has also been describe d. In the present study we have evaluated the influence of the active administration of specific bacterial cultures in fermented milk, which inhibit the growth of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms, to 40 c onsecutive patients with chronic alteration in their bowel habits caus ed by previous radiotherapy of pelvic malignancies. The results sugges t that intake of fermented milk products could be of value in decreasi ng chronic bowel discomfort following radiotherapy of pelvic malignanc ies. However, a more extensive study is warranted in order to very the significance of the results and to find the optimal product.