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Diarrhea | Constipation | Bladder & Urinary

Here we provide resources for problems related to bowel and the bladder that may occur with treatment.

General Resources:

"Eating Well Through Cancer" by Holly Clegg  Amazon.com Focuses on cancer and nutrition with a mainstream approach.  Recipes were selected to ease symptoms while undergoing treatment and to maintain  a healthier lifestyle. (Patient-recommended. PAL has no affiliations with the authors.)

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a digestive disorder that causes excessive bowel movements and loose stools. It's a condition associated with many standard cancer treatments. Acute diarrhea usually lasts a few days at most. Chronic diarrhea can last much longer and is considered more serious. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, urge to defecate, discomfort, and fecal incontinence. 

Patients with uncontrolled diarrhea are at increased risk for dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, skin breakdown, and fatigue.For many treatment regimens, diarrhea is a dose-limiting toxicity. mcw.edu

Topic Search: Medscape | PubMed

Factors:

	Consistency may be a more reliable indicator of diarrhea than frequency.
	Diet to help control low-residue diet at treatment initiation  nch low-lactose diet in individuals with temporary lactose intolerance  may prevent, reduce, or control diarrhea in some patients receiving cancer therapy
	In cancer patients, the most common cause of diarrhea is cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplantation, or surgery). Other causes of diarrhea include  antibiotic therapy, stress and anxiety related to being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing cancer treatment; and infection. Infection may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or other harmful microorganisms. Antibiotic therapy can cause inflammation of the lining of the bowel, resulting in diarrhea that often does not respond to treatment.  cancer.gov

Investigational for severe ... "use of octreotide in patients receiving pelvic radiation complicated by diarrhea shortened the duration of symptoms and facilitated more continuous radiation treatment, with fewer interruptions. Octreotide therapy appeared to be well tolerated; however, octreotide given on an outpatient basis is quite expensive. It is not known whether octreotide can prevent the onset of diarrhea." Medscape (free login req.)

Resources

	Cancer and diarrhea  wehealny.org | MayoClinic.com | MedlinePlus
	Abdominal Pain, Acute: Self-Care Flowcharts  familydoctor.org
	Abdominal Pain, Chronic: Self-Care Flowcharts  familydoctor.org
	Diarrhea in Cancer  ACS
	Diarrhea: Self-Care Flowcharts  familydoctor.org
	Preventing Dehydration From Diarrhea  NIH
	A randomized trial of yogurt for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Dig Dis Sci. 2003 Oct;48(10):2077-82. PMID: 14627358 | Related articles

Constipation

Constipation is digestive disorder that causes infrequent and difficult bowel movements. It's a side effect  associated with many medications, including standard cancer treatments.  You should consult your doctor when you have a significant change in bowel movements.

Severe constipation can be life threatening.

General Guidelines

	Ask your doctor about laxatives and stool softeners.
	Drink plenty of liquids.
	Eat foods with fiber content, such as celery and cooked whole grains;  limit flour products.
	Keep active.

Recommended

	Constipation and Cancer Treatment  cancercenter.com
	"Eating Well Through Cancer" ~ by Holly Clegg, Gerald Miletello MD  Web

Topic searches on Constipation and Cancer Therapy

Medscape | PubMed

Resources

About Constipation and treatment gastro.org  American Gastroenterological Association

	Constipation in Cancer Family Practice Notebook
	Elimination Problems: Self-Care Flowcharts familydoctor.org

Articles

Opioid Antagonists Can Control Opioid-Induced Constipation cancernetwork.com

Clinical Trials

Phase III Randomized Study of Naloxone for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients With Chronic Malignant or Non-malignant Pain www.cancer.gov

 

Bladder and Urinary Complications

Here we list resources related to bladder and urinary problems that are sometimes experienced by patients receiving treatment for lymphoma and other cancers.

Topic searches on Bladder and Urinary Problems associated with Cancer Therapy

Medscape | PubMed

Resources

	Cystitis (infection): Successful treatment of severe hemorrhagic cystitis after hemopoietic cell transplantation by selective embolization of the vesical arteries. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2003 May; 31(10): 923-5. PMID: 12748670 | Related articles
	Urinary incontinence (Nocturia)  MedlinePlus | Medscape
	Urologic Toxicities Christopher J. Logothetis, MD, Jose E. Sarriera, MD  cancer.org- PDF
	Urinary frequency/urgency  medlineplus
	BK Virus: In bone marrow transplant recipients it is notable as a cause for hemorrhagic cystitis.                 Wikipedia