Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of active addition of bacterial cultures in fermented milk to patients with chronic bowel discomfort following irradiation

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Radiotherapy is a cornerstone in the treatment of malignancies in the pelvis. Consequently, there is usually exposure of the intestine and especially the lower colon and rectum, with ensuing disturbances in bowel habits at different times following radiotherapy. The main problem is diarrhoea associated with lactose intolerance, bile salt absorption and fat malabsorption. Bacterial contamination has also been described. In the present study we have evaluated the influence of the active administration of specific bacterial cultures in fermented milk, which inhibit the growth of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms, to 40 consecutive patients with chronic alteration in their bowel habits caused by previous radiotherapy of pelvic malignancies. The results suggest that intake of fermented milk products could be of value in decreasing chronic bowel discomfort following radiotherapy of pelvic malignancies. However, a more extensive study is warranted in order to very the significance of the results and to find the optimal product.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Chary S, Thomson DH (1984) A clinical trial evaluating cholestyramine to prevent diarrhea in patients maintained on low fat diets during pelvic radiation therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 10:1885–1889

    Google Scholar 

  2. Danielsson Å, Nyhlin H, Persson H, Stendahl U, Stenling R, Suhr O (1991) Chronic diarrhoea after radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer: occurrence and aetiology. Gut 32:1180–1187

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gilinsky NH, Burns DG, Barzebat GO, et al (1983) The natural history of radiation-induced proctosigmoiditis: an analysis of 88 patients. Q J Med 205:40–53

    Google Scholar 

  4. Grahn E, Holm SE (1989) Swedish patent no. 8904332-7

  5. Hartog FCA, Cohen P, Haastert M van (1989) Late radiation injury of the rectum and sigmoid colon: barium enema findings in 92 patients. Br J Radiol 62:807–812

    Google Scholar 

  6. Henriksson R, Franzén L, Littbrand B (1992) Effects of sucralfate on acute and late bowel discomfort following radiotherapy of pelvic cancer. J Clin Oncol 10:969–975

    Google Scholar 

  7. Stryker JA, Chung CK, Layser JC (1983) Colestipol hydrochloride prophylaxis of diarrhea during pelvic radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 9:185–188

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Henriksson, R., Franzén, L., Sandström, K. et al. Effects of active addition of bacterial cultures in fermented milk to patients with chronic bowel discomfort following irradiation. Support Care Cancer 3, 81–83 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343926

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343926

Key words

Navigation