Toxic megacolon associated with anticancer chemotherapy.

Abstract

The majority of gastrointestinal side effects associated with anticancer chemotherapy are relatively mild and self-limiting and can be managed empirically. However, severe side effects, such as necrotizing enterocolitis and ischemic colitis, sometimes do occur after chemotherapy. The authors present a case of toxic megacolon associated with anticancer chemotherapy. This is a relatively uncommon but potentially lethal complication of ulcerative colitis.