What Causes Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Cancer Patients?
The causes of gastrointestinal symptoms in cancer patients can be multifactorial. The cancer itself can obstruct or invade parts of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to symptoms. Moreover, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and other cancer treatments can also cause gastrointestinal side effects. For example, chemotherapy often affects the rapidly dividing cells of the gastrointestinal lining, leading to symptoms like nausea and diarrhea.