Pelvic radiation therapy: Between delight and disaster

Table 1 The timing of gastrointestinal complications of pelvic radiation disease in relation to tissue type damage

Complication	Primary tissue type damage	Timing
Acute proctitis	Epithelial	0-4 wk
Acute enteritis	Epithelial	0-4 wk
Rectal bleeding	Vascular	4-12 mo
Anal/perianal pain	Stromal	6-9 mo
Chronic abscess	Stromal	9-15 mo
Fistula	Stromal	18-24 mo
Stricture/malabsorption	Stromal	2-20 yr
Rectal malignancy	Epithelial	5-30 yr