Radiation and Small Bowel Complications in Cervical Carcinoma Therapy

Small bowel complications developed in 9 patients 6-60 months following radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix. A phenotypic profile of unusual sensitivity was determined from analysis of patient characteristics. Four patients were diabetic, three were hypertensive and diabetic, five had Stage III disease, and all were either underweight or of normal weight. Only one had previous abdominal surgery. All received at least 4000 rads of external beam therapy. Complications developed in patients with one or two radioactive implants. Small bowel problems are particularly prone to develop in patients of small habitus with preexisting small vessel disease, especially as evidenced by hypertension and diabetes.