Minimizing the toxicity of pelvic radiation therapy in rectal cancer.

The acute and delayed complications of pelvic radiation therapy for rectal cancer occur with distinct clinical courses and pathological manifestations. Acute complications are common during treatment, are usually transient, and resolve within a few weeks following the completion of radiation. Delayed complications occur less frequently but are substantially more serious, with the most common being small bowel damage. With the use of more sophisticated radiation techniques, methods to exclude the small bowel from the pelvis during radiotherapy, and possibly elemental diets, the toxicity can be minimized.