Update on the management of the gastrointestinal effects of radiation

Table 2 Overview of specific therapies for side effects associated with radiation therapy

Area	Side effect	Treatment
Oral mucosa	Mucositis; xerostomia; candidiasis	Opioids, topical benzydamine; artificial saliva; topical antifungals
Esophagus	Esophagitis; strictures	Analgesia, topical anesthesia, PPI; esophageal dilatation, CARD, esophageal stents
Small bowel	Enteritis; small bowel overgrowth; strictures; bile acid malabsorption; malnutrition	Antidiarrheal; antibiotics; surgery; bile acid sequestrants; nutritional adjuncts (i.e. PN)
Rectum	Proctopathy	Sucralfate, formalin, HBOT, APC

APC: Argon plasma coagulation; CARD: Combined antegrade and retrograde dilation; HBOT: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy; PN: Parenteral nutrition; PPI: Proton pump inhibitor.