The World Health Organization (WHO) published criteria for acute and subacute toxic effects on the gastrointestinal tract following radiation and chemotherapy for cancer.
Parameters:
(1) oral symptoms
(2) nausea and vomiting
(3) diarrhea
where:
• The original section also included several liver function tests. I have split these off as a separate group under hepatic adverse effects.
• Constipation is listed under neurotoxicity (see below).
Grade of Toxicity
oral symptoms
nausea and vomiting
diarrhea
Grade 0
none
none
none
Grade 1
soreness or erythema (erytherma)
nausea
transient, < 2 days
Grade 2
erythema, ulcerations, can eat solids
transient vomiting
tolerable but > 2 days
Grade 3
ulcers; requires a liquid diet only
vomiting requiring therapy
intolerable, requiring therapy
Grade 4
alimentation not possible
intractable vomiting
hemorrhagic dehydration
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