HemeOnc

Diarrhea in Cancer

search

Diarrhea in Cancer, Diarrhea in Terminally Ill Patients, Cancer Related Diarrhea

  • See Also
  1. Cancer Symptom
  2. Nausea in Cancer
  3. Diarrhea in Cancer
  4. Constipation in Cancer
  5. Cachexia in Cancer
  • Evaluation
  1. Identify a cause!
    1. Clostridium difficile
    2. Cytomegalovirus Infection
    3. Reactivation of latent Viral Hepatitis
  2. Often associated with Radiotherapy near bowel
    1. Consider bowel ischemia or perforation (esp. if bleeding)
  3. Other common complications of Chemotherapy
    1. Lactose Intolerance
    2. Small BowelBacterial overgrowth
    3. Bile Acid Malabsorption
  • Management
  1. Discuss with patient's oncologist
  2. Fluid Resuscitation and Antiemetics
  3. Symptomatic management
    1. Antiemetics (e.g. Ondansetron)
    2. Antidiarrheals (e.g. Loperamide)
  • Prevention
  1. Lactobacillus with Radiation Therapy or Chemotherapy
  • Course
  1. Anticipate Radiotherapy related Diarrhea for 1-2 weeks
  • References
  1. Higdon (2018) Am Fam Physician 97(11):741-8 [PubMed]