What are the complications of Bowel Cancer and its treatments?
Patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and other chronic diseases should take extra care.
Investigation
Patients in need of endoscopic therapy, such as polypectomy (removal of polyps), endoscopic hemostasis, as well as expansion and stent placement have higher risk of serious complications such as intestinal obstruction and bleeding.
Surgery
Poor healing of surgical wound of the bowel may lead to peritonitis and sepsis. Inflammation and urinary dysfunction may also happen. However, it is worth noting that the more commonly used minimally surgery for bowel cancer has greatly reduced the risk of complications in recent years.
Adjuvant therapy
Common side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy include: fatigue, vulnerable to infection or bleeding, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, constipation or diarrhea.
Medication can reduce the severity of side effects.