RADIATION ENTEROPATHY - INCIDENCE, ETIOLOGY, RISK-FACTORS, PATHOLOGY AND SYMPTOMS

The small bower represents a dose limiting structure for the administr ation of tumoricidal abdominal and pelvic doses exceeding 4 500 cGy. I f its real incidence remains controversial, predisposing factors and h istopathologic features are currently well established. Contrary to th e transient and self-limiting symptoms of acute radiation enteritis, c hronic radiation enteropathy is a rare but severe sequelae indicing hi gh morbidity and mortality rates. Its prevention constitutes, in multi disciplinary institutions, a permanent challenge both for the radiothe rapist and the pelvic surgeon.