External beam radiation therapy administered to the pelvis may cause side effects including gastrointestinal and genitourinary complications, sexual dysfunction, and dermatologic toxicities (1). Specifically, gastrointestinal complications such as radiation enteritis are common, with approximately 90% of patients who receive pelvic radiation experiencing transient or permanent bowel problems (2-4). Radiation enteritis presents with diarrhea and abdominal pain (5-8), and can cause significant morbidity (5). Approximately 50% of patients with radiation enteritis report impaired quality of life (QOL), with 20–30% noting a moderate or severe effect (2-4).
