Gastrointestinal complications of the leukemias

Abstract

Summary and Conclusions A review of the gastrointestinal manifestations of leukemia has been presented. Particular emphasis has been placed on anorectal complications of this disease. Anorectal complications of the leukemias are characterized by thrombosis, necrosis, ulceration, sloughing, and sometimes abscess formation. These changes may or may not be accompanied by leukemic infiltration of the anorectal area. The authors are impressed by the close temporal relationship between the onset of acute anorectal lesions in leukemic patients and the extreme gravity of prognosis. There is no doubt that the occurrence of these lesions in a patient with acute leukemia is a very grave prognostic sign. Treatment of anorectal lesions in patients suffering with acute leukemia should be conservative. Surgical intervention is indicated only for release of obvious collections of pus. Antibiotic agents should be used only when specifically indicated and not prophylactically.