Diarrhea chemotherapy-related

III trial, the associated death rate was 5%, predominantly in elderly patients with concomitant leukopenia and bacteremia [87 ]. Among patients with colorectal cancer, the presence of the primary tumor and previous episodes of chemotherapy-related diarrhea are susceptibility factors for fluorouracil-associated diarrhea [88 ]. Algorithms have been proposed for assessing and managing treatment-induced diarrhea [70 ]. 

When the diarrhea is not viral (Noro formerly known as Norwalk virus) or protozoal Entamoeba) or caused by a toxin (shell-flsh poisoning) it is often caused by either Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter or Yersinia species. In some countries there is a high prevalence of Vibrio cholerae - GTI causing severe watery diarrhea. Clostridium difficile enterocolitis is related to prior antibiotic treatment but also observed during chemotherapy. 

The common features of graft-versus-host disease are severe itching and persistent diarrhea. Treatment with prednisolone and, if necessary, antilymphocyte antibodies, and/or ciclosporin can help. Hepatic involvement can be mild but can progress to liver failure in spite of optimal treatment (102). Oral comphcations may be related to graft-versus-host disease but can also result from intensive chemotherapy/irradiation or intensive antibiotic treatment (103). 

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