A Muls

Microbiota and radiation-induced bowel toxicity: lessons from inflammatory bowel disease for the radiation oncologist

New gastrointestinal symptoms are frequent after pelvic radiotherapy and can greatly affect the quality of life of cancer survivors. The effect of radiation on the intestinal microbiota, and the clinical implications of a modified microbial balance after radiotherapy are now beginning to emerge. In this Personal View, we show the importance of the microbiota for intestinal homoeostasis, and discuss the similarity between inflammatory bowel disease, which has been extensively researched, and radiation-induced gastrointestinal toxicity. By use of microbiota profiles for risk assessment and manipulation of the intestinal flora for prevention and treatment of radiation, enteropathy could become a reality and would be of substantial relevance to the increasing numbers of long-term cancer survivors.

Are bile acid malabsorption and bile acid diarrhoea important causes of loose stool complicating cancer therapy

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during and after cancer therapy can significantly affect quality of life and interfere with treatment. This study assessed whether bile acid malabsorption (BAM) or bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) are important causes of diarrhoea associated with cancer treatment.

The holistic management of consequences of cancer treatment by a gastrointestinal and nutrition team: a financially viable approach to an enormous problem?

There is no national NHS tariff to fund services for patients experiencing long-term bowel and nutritional problems after cancer treatment. In this paper, we report the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients referred to our service and the estimated cost of a completed episode of care. Patient characteristics, symptom severity, investigations, diagnoses, number of clinic visits and referrals elsewhere were recorded in a prospective cohort study. During 2013-14, 325 patients completed assessment and treatment. The majority of original cancer diagnoses were urological (43%) and gynaecological (21%). A median of six investigations were requested. 62% were found to have three or more new diagnoses including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (46%), vitamin D deficiency (38%), bile acid malabsorption (28%), gastritis (22%), radiation-induced bleeding (20%), vitamin B12 deficiency (17%), pelvic floor weakness (17%), colorectal polyps (13%) and pancreatic insufficiency (5%). A median of three visits were required and all commonly reported gastrointestinal symptoms improved by discharge. The mean episode of care per patient was costed at £1,563. Effective amelioration of chronic gastrointestinal toxicity after cancer treatment costs substantially less than treating the cancer in the first place and requires an NHS tariff.

Influencing organisational culture: a leadership challenge

In the wake of the Francis report, the need for NHS trusts and hospitals to adopt a culture of learning, safety and transparency has been highlighted. This article considers different aspects of culture in health care, and hones in on the link between culture and safety for patients in putting the patient first, embedding the 6Cs and considering the options to measure and influence organisational culture. The article reflects more deeply on how leadership across all levels can influence and inspire change in organisational culture, ensuring that the patient remains the focus of any changes in care delivery.

Management of bile acid malabsorption using low-fat dietary interventions: a useful strategy applicable to some patients with diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome?

This study evaluates the efficacy of low-fat dietary interventions in the management of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms due to bile acid malabsorption. In total, 40 patients with GI symptoms and a 7-day (75)selenium homocholic acid taurine (SeHCAT) scan result of <20%, were prospectively recruited and then advised regarding a low-fat dietary intervention. Before and after dietary intervention, patients rated their GI symptoms using a 10-point numerical scale, and recorded their intake in 7-day dietary diaries. After dietary intervention, the median scores for all GI symptoms decreased, with a significant reduction for urgency, bloating, lack of control, bowel frequency (p ≥: 0.01). Mean dietary fat intake reduced to 42 g fat after intervention (p ≥: 0.01). Low-fat dietary interventions in patients with a SeHCAT scan result of <20% leads to clinically important improvement in GI symptoms and should be widely used.

Improving the well-being of men by Evaluating and Addressing the Gastrointestinal Late Effects (EAGLE) of radical treatment for prostate cancer: study protocol for a mixed-method implementation project

Introduction Radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer can cause bowel problems, which may lead to severe difficulties for cancer survivors including limiting travel, work or socialising. These symptoms can appear at any time following radiotherapy. This study focuses on the early identification and protocol-based management of effects known to cause long-term, or even permanent, changes to the well-being of prostate cancer survivors. The rationale of this study is to improve the care offered to men and their families following pelvic radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Method and analysis Implementation research methodology will be used to adopt a multicomponent intervention at three UK centres. The intervention package comprises a standardised clinical assessment of relevant symptoms in oncology outpatient clinics and rapid referral to an enhanced gastroenterological service for patients identified with bowel problems. Gastroenterology staff will be trained to use an expert-practice algorithm of targeted gastroenterology investigations and treatments. The evaluation of the intervention and its embedding within local practices will be conducted using a mixed-methods design. The effect of the new service will be measured in terms of the following outcomes: acceptability to staff and patients; quality of life; symptom control and cost-effectiveness. Data collection will take place at baseline, 6 months (±2 months), and 12 months (±2 months) after entry into the study. Ethics and dissemination The study has ethical approval from the North West-Liverpool East Research Ethics Committee and the appropriate NHS governance clearance. All participants provide written informed consent. The study team aim to publish the results of the study in peer-reviewed journals as well as at national and international conferences. Trial registration number UKCRN16974

Managing gastrointestinal symptoms after cancer treatment: a practical approach for gastroenterologists

The percentage of the population living with a diagnosis of cancer is rising. By 2030, there will be 4 million cancer survivors in the UK. One quarter of cancer survivors are left with physical symptoms, which affect their quality of life. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are the most common of all chronic physical side-effects of cancer treatment and have the greatest impact on daily activity. Cancer therapies induce long-term changes in bowel function due to alterations to specific GI physiological functions. In addition, the psychological effect of a cancer diagnosis, new GI disease or pre-existing underlying conditions, may also contribute to new symptoms. Twenty-three upper GI symptoms have been identified as occurring after pelvic radiotherapy. After upper GI cancer treatment, the most troublesome symptoms include reflux, abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhoea and fatigue. Often, several symptoms are present simultaneously and women experience more symptoms than men. The symptoms which patients rate as most difficult are urgency, wind, diarrhoea, incontinence, abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. Recent UK Guidance on managing GI symptoms suggests that these symptoms can be treated especially if gastroenterological advice is combined with dietetic and nursing input to optimise investigations and management. However, as different pathological processes can result in identical symptoms; a systematic, ‘algorithmic’ approach to assess and treat these symptoms is required. This paper aims to illustrate the value of such an approach to investigate and treat the most common GI symptoms that trouble patients. The algorithm allows clinicians to institute a comprehensive medical management plan.

The efficacy of a low-fat diet to manage the symptoms of bile acid malabsorption - outcomes in patients previously treated for cancer

ABSTRACT Dietary fat ingestion triggers bile secretion into the gastrointestinal tract. Bile acid malabsorption affects >1% of the population, causing loose stool and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The diagnosis is frequently missed. Treatments are often considered ineffective. We evaluated low-fat diets for managing gastrointestinal symptoms in these patients. All patients reporting type 6 or 7 stool were offered a selenium-75 homocholic acid taurine (SeHCAT) scan. Prospective data in patients with 7-day scan retention <20% were analysed. Patients requiring a bile acid sequestrant were given this before receiving dietary advice. Patients completed a 7-day food diary before dietetic consultations. Personalised dietary interventions, providing 20% of daily energy from fat, were prescribed. Symptoms were assessed using a modified gastrointestinal symptom rating scale questionnaire before and 4–12 weeks after dietary intervention. A total of 114 patients (49 male, median age 64 years, median body mass index 27 kg/m2) were evaluated. 44% of these patients were taking colesevelam. After dietary intervention, there was statistically significant improvement in abdominal pain and nocturnal defecation (0.2% alpha, p=0.001). Improvement in bowel frequency, urgency, flatulence, belching, borborygmi and stool consistency were seen, but did not reach statistical significance (p⩽0.004–0.031). Dietary intervention is an effective treatment option for patients with symptomatic bile acid malabsorption and should be routinely considered.

Systematic Review The Impact of Cancer Treatment on the Gut and Vaginal Microbiome in Women With a Gynecological Malignancy

Background and Aim Worldwide, 1,470,900 women are diagnosed yearly with a gynecological malignancy (21,000 in the UK). Some patients treated with pelvic radiotherapy develop chronic changes in their bowel function. This systematic review summarizes current research on the impact of cancer treatment on the gut and vaginal microbiome in women with a gynecological malignancy. Methods The Preferred reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines for systematic reviews were used to ensure transparent and complete reporting. Quantitative studies exploring the gut or vaginal microbiome in this patient cohort were included. Animal studies were excluded. There were no language restrictions. Results No studies examined the possible effects of surgery or chemotherapy for gynecological cancers on the gut or vaginal microbiome. Three prospective cohort studies were identified using sequencing of changes in the gut microbiome reporting on a total of 23 women treated for gynecological cancer. All studies included patients treated with radiotherapy with a dosage ranging from 43.0 to 54.0 Gy. Two studies assessed gastrointestinal toxicity formally; 8 women (57%) developed grade 2 or 3 diarrhea during radiotherapy. The outcomes suggest a correlation between changes in the intestinal microbiome and receiving radiotherapy and showed a decrease in abundance and diversity of the intestinal bacterial species. Before radiotherapy, those who developed diarrhea had an increased abundance of Bacteroides, Dialister, and Veillonella (P < 0.01), and a decreased abundance of Clostridium XI and XVIII, Faecalibacterium, Oscillibacter, Parabacteroides, Prevotella, and unclassified bacteria (P < 0.05). Conclusion The limited evidence to date implies that larger studies including both the vaginal and gut microbiome in women treated for a gynecological malignancy are warranted to explore the impact of cancer treatments on the microbiome and its relation to developing long-term gastrointestinal toxicity. This may lead to new avenues to stratify those at risk and explore personalized treatment options and prevention of gastrointestinal consequences of cancer treatments.

PTU-128 The efficacy of using low-fat dietary interventions to manage bile acid malabsorption

Introduction Dietary fat ingestion triggers bile secretion into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) or malabsorption (BAM) affects 1%–2% of the population. Affected individuals suffer a wide range of GI symptoms in addition to loose stool. The diagnosis is often missed and treatments are often reported to be ineffective. In this study we used SEHCAT scanning to determine treatment options and evaluated the impact of low-fat diets on GI symptoms in these patients. Method This study analysed prospectively collected data in patients with 7 day 75selenium homocholic acid taurine (SeHCAT) scan retention <20%. All patients reporting type 6 or 7 stool were offered a SeHCAT scan. Patients with abnormal scans requiring a bile acid sequestrant were given this before receiving dietary advice. Patients completed a 7 day food diary before consultation with a registered dietitian and personalised low-fat dietary interventions, providing 20% of daily energy from fat were prescribed. Symptoms were assessed using a modified Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire before and 4–12 weeks after dietary intervention. Results Between January 2014 to March 2016, 114 patients, 49 men and 65 women, median age of 64 years, median BMI of 27 kg/m2 were evaluated. 50% had previously undergone GI surgery and 45% had additional GI disorders. 44% were taking Colesevelam. After dietary intervention, the frequency with which patients experienced GI symptoms decreased, with a significant reduction in troublesome urgency, flatulence, abdominal pain, nocturnal defaecation, belching and borborygmi (p≤0.01). Stool consistency and stool frequency also improved. Conclusion Dietary intervention is an effective treatment option for patients with symptomatic bile acid malabsorption/diarrhoea and should be routinely considered. The exact fat restriction which is effective, requires further study. Disclosure of Interest None Declared