[Radiation therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A review]

Bull Cancer. 2018 May;105(5):517-522. doi: 10.1016/j.bulcan.2018.02.005. Epub 2018 Apr 10.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are multifactorial diseases characterized by a chronic intestinal inflammation. Abdominal and pelvic irradiation can result in acute or chronic digestive toxicity. A few old studies on small population samples have suggested an increase of gastro-intestinal toxicities in patients with IBD in case of irradiation. Nevertheless, the physiopathology is unknown. More recent studies, including new irradiation techniques, have shown less toxicity events in these patients with IBD. There are no recommendations for irradiation in patients with IBD. This review aims to report recent data on this topic and discuss them regarding radiation parameters.

Keywords: Crohn's disease; Gastro-intestinal toxicity; Inflammatory bowel disease; Maladie de Crohn; Maladies inflammatoires l’intestin; Radiotherapy; Radiothérapie; Rectocolite hémorragique; Toxicité digestive; Ulcerative colitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / complications
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / complications*
  • Intestines / radiation effects*
  • Organs at Risk / radiation effects*
  • Pelvis
  • Radiation Injuries / complications
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*