Diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal complications in adult cancer patients

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients frequently suffer from gastrointestinal complications. However, a comprehensive, practical and evidence-based guideline on this issue is not yet available.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: An expert group was put together by the Infectious Diseases Working Party (AGIHO) of the German Society of Hematology and Oncology (DGHO) to develop a guideline on gastrointestinal complications in cancer patients. For each subtopic, a literature search was carried out in PubMed, Medline and Cochrane databases and the strength of recommendation and the quality of the published evidence for major therapeutic strategies were categorized using a modification of the 'Infectious Diseases Society of America' criteria. Consensus discussions were held on each of the topics.

RESULTS: Recommendations were made with respect to non-infectious and infectious gastrointestinal complications. For all recommendations, the strength of the recommendation and the level of evidence are presented.

CONCLUSION: This guideline is an evidence-based approach to the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal complications in cancer patients.