Exploring Integrated Chinese-Western Diagnosis and Treatment of Radiation Enteritis and Hematochezia from Cervical Cancer Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a common treatment for cervical cancer in women. Radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy can achieve near-curative results in some early-to-mid-stage cervical cancer patients. However, radiation enteritis, a sequela of radiotherapy, is also extremely distressing for patients.
The clinical manifestations of radiation enteritis after cervical cancer radiotherapy mainly involve frequent collapse of the gastrointestinal system. Some patients have alternating diarrhea and constipation; most present predominantly with diarrhea, occasionally with intestinal colic, and frequent hematochezia (bloody stools). Patients often require blood transfusions due to excessive chronic blood loss. Their mental state, physical strength, and quality of life are all seriously affected, and treatment is very difficult—so much so that many patients give up.
Radiation enteritis