Radiation enteropathy--incidence, aetiology, risk factors, pathology and symptoms.

The small bowel represents a dose limiting structure for the administration of tumoricidal abdominal and pelvic doses exceeding 4,500 cGy. If its real incidence remains controversial, predisposing factors and histopathologic features are currently well established. Contrary to the transient and self-limiting symptoms of acute radiation enteritis, chronic radiation enteropathy is a rare but severe sequelae indicing high morbidity and mortality rates. Its prevention constitutes, in multidisciplinary institutions, a permanent challenge both for the radiotherapist and the pelvic surgeon.