Gastrointestinal Complications
Manifest as mucositis from the oral cavity through the entire GI tract down to the anus.
Produces
- Pain
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Significant risk factor for septicemia with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
If gas-producing bacteria enter bowel wall the gas may separate bowel wall layers.
- Typhlitis is when this occurs in the cecum.
- Neutropenic enterocolitis is when this occurs throughout the small and large intestine.
Plain abdominal X-ray will show pneumatosis coli (air in the bowel wall, or “train tracking”).
May result in bowel perforation.
