VITAMIN-B12 MALABSORPTION AFTER IRRADIATION FOR GYNECOLOGICAL TUMORS

The serum vitamin B12 levels were determined in 44 asymptomatic patien ts at least one year after completion of pelvic irradiation for a gyna ecological tumour: Ten patients (23%) were found to have decreased lev els of serum vitamin Bit, of which sir (14%) were assumed to be caused by malabsorption due to radiation damage to the terminal ileum as no other reason for a lower vitamin B12 level could be detected. Neither the radiation dose or volume nor the manifestation of acute or late ra diation side effects appeared to be correlated with the finding of dec reased levels of vitamin B12. rt is concluded that even in asymptomati c patients who received pelvic irradiation, serum vitamin B12 levels c an serve as a marker for radiation enteropathy. It is advocated to che ck vitamin B12 levels prior to the radiation treatment as well as duri ng the follow-up of these patients.