Grading Criteria of Henson et al for Defecation Urgency Following Therapy for Pelvic Cancer

Description

Henson et al identified defecation urgency (bowel urgency, fecal urgency) as a complication of pelvic cancer therapy that can significantly impact a patient’s life. They listed criteria for grading it as a common adverse event. The authors are from the Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

Patient selection: history of therapy for pelvic cancer

Defecation urgency is defined as the presence of both of the following:

(1) an inability to defer defecation by 15 minutes

(2) associated fear or occurrence of fecal incontinence or soiling

Parameters:

(1) frequency of occurrence

(2) fecal incontinence

(3) disability as a result

Frequency	Fecal Incontinence	Disability	Grade
infrequent	none	none	1
1 or more times per week	none or minimal	unable to complete all desired activities	2
daily	variable	moderate	3
constant	regular	severe, may be unable to leave home	4

A patient with significant fecal incontinence may need to:

(1) wear incontinence pads

(2) take a constipating medication

(3) limit activities

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Grading Criteria of Henson et al for Defecation Urgency Following Therapy for Pelvic Cancer

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