New Markers of Gastrointestinal Damage Induced by Pelvic Radiotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: An estimated 150 000–300 000 patients undergo radiotherapy to the abdomen or pelvis each year in the Western world. Ninety per cent develop acute gastrointestinal symptoms and 50% go on to develop chronic symptoms affecting quality of life. No markers identifying the degree of small intestinal damage during radiotherapy have been defined, although this may be clinically important, as the degree of acute toxicity during radiotherapy predisposes to the severity of chronic problems. Plasma citrulline concentrations are highly dependent on small intestinal cell mass.