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Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreSome childhood cancer treatments and stem cell transplants can cause digestive problems later in life. These are called late effects.
Late effects are side effects of cancer or its treatment that patients have months or years after treatment is over. They may appear at diagnosis or during therapy and persist. Or they may happen months or years after cancer treatment has ended. Late effects can affect 1 or more areas in the body. Effects can be mild to severe.
The digestive system includes organs that digest food. Digestion is the process of breaking down food into smaller parts. The body uses this for energy, tissue growth, and repair.
Organs of the digestive system include the:
Treatments that may cause digestive problems include:
Conditions may include:
Signs and symptoms may include:
Talk to your care team if you have these symptoms and are at risk for digestive problems.
Symptoms that come on quickly or are severe (such as sudden belly pain and vomiting) may signal an urgent problem. Seek medical help quickly.
Take action to prevent digestive problems and detect problems early.
If problems are suspected, the health care provider may also order tests such as:
You can prevent some digestive problems with healthy habits:
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Reviewed: June 2023