Radiation esophagitis is by many authors divided into two forms - acute and chronic [1] [2] [3] [4]. Acute radiation esophagitis is defined as the onset of esophageal-related symptoms as a response to radiation therapy (RT) within 3 weeks [1] [2] [3] [4]. Most commonly reported complaints are nausea, odynophagia, dysphagia, and anorexia that can promote significant weight loss [1] [2] [4]. Pain in the substernal region and discomfort is also seen in many patients, developing on the grounds of inflammatory changes occurring in the esophageal mucosa [1] [2]. The severity of the associated features strongly correlates with the radiation dose (more pronounced signs are seen with higher doses), a more advanced tumor stage, increased age, and the presence of adjuvant chemotherapy (bleomycin, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, actinomycin, and daunorubicin) [1] [2] [3] [5]. Some patients may not be able to swallow any food and thus require a feeding tube and/or total parenteral nutrition [2]. On the other hand, chronic radiation esophagitis occurs when at least three months pass from RT to the onset of the signs of the ailment, but the majority of patients report around 6-12 months [1] [2] [4]. The formation of esophageal strictures from fibrotic changes is the main factor for the development of symptoms in these patients, most important being progressive dysphagia, associated swallowing difficulties, and impaired mobility of the esophagus [1] [2].

• Dentist

  Some patients receiving radiation treatments to the mouth may be referred to a dentist, and most patients will also be referred to a registered dietitian. [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  It was a while ago so I can't remember the name of the products I used but I got a saliva gel from my dentist kept the area from getting too dry. I also used and oral spray that numbed the area, got that from my chemist. [onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au]

• Plethora

  The plethora of rapidly dividing cells in the gastrointestinal tract makes the tract particularly vulnerable to cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents [ 11 ]. [ro-journal.biomedcentral.com]

• Odynophagia

  Most commonly reported complaints are nausea, odynophagia, dysphagia, and anorexia that can promote significant weight loss. [symptoma.com]

  Patients typically present with nonspecific symptoms such as dysphagia and odynophagia. Endoscopic changes such as erythema and ulceration are also nonspecific and nondiagnostic. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Topical anesthetics or NSAIDs, Soft diet Moderate dysphagia or odynophagia, Narcotic analgesics, Puree or liquid diet Severe dysphagia or odynophagia, Dehydration or weigh loss 15%, IV fluids, NGT, TPN Complete obstruction, ulceration, perforation, [en.wikibooks.org]

  Patients with dysphagia, odynophagia, weight loss, and/or anemia should undergo endoscopy in a facilitated manner because of a higher risk of malignancy. Video Endoscopic Sequence 3 of 4. [gastrointestinalatlas.com]

• Gagging

  This mixture can suppress a persons gag reflex; therefore patients should eat slowly and sit upright for at least 30 minutes after eating to prevent aspiration. Appropriate antibiotic or anti- fungal for infection. [oncolink.org]

  Usually it lasts about a month after you finish. best wishes x LMK74 Brisbane Member Posts: 775 Hi @JoeyLiz, they did recommend the soluble panadol but I gag on the taste of it. I have been prescribed ordine but yet to fill it. [onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au]

  In patients in whom a cycle of gagging can develop from the thickness of the secretions, lorazepam is useful. A cool mist vaporizer can also help, although if used at home proper cleaning must occur to prevent pseudomonas contamination. [clinicaladvisor.com]

• Deglutition Disorder

  Disorders Respiratory Tract Neoplasms Thoracic Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Neoplasms Lung Diseases Respiratory Tract Diseases Esophageal Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Digestive System Diseases Gastroenteritis Pharyngeal Diseases Otorhinolaryngologic [clinicaltrials.gov]

• Choking

  However, several years ago, I had continued choking on food, and dr. had me have a bariumstudy to observe food passing through esophagus and further. "Swallow Test.". [community.breastcancer.org]

• Chest Pain

  Chest pain of esophageal origin cannot be accurately distinguished from chest pain associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, prehospital protocols should be followed for the management of chest pain potentially caused by CAD. [emedicine.medscape.com]

  In Erridge 2005, the 30Gy/10F regimen was significantly better at reducing chest pain and dyspnoea compared to 10Gy/1F. [cochranelibrary.com]

  Patients may present with heartburn, dysphagia, odynophagia, food impaction, weight loss, and chest pain. Progressive dysphagia for solids is the most common presenting symptom. This may progress to include liquids. [gastrointestinalatlas.com]

  (if reflux post stent placement is defined as a complication) Prolonged chest pain caused by stent expansion is more common with larger and more flared stents.case reports of erosion of the stents into the airway or adjacent vascular structures, which [slideshare.net]

  Some studies identify smoking as a risk for pneumonitis, 19 whereas others suggest smoking may lessen the risk. 20 Symptoms of radiation pneumonitis, including low-grade fever, congestion, dry cough, pleuritic chest pain, and a sensation of chest fullness [aafp.org]

The initial diagnosis of radiation esophagitis is made through a properly obtained patient history. Physicians must identify prior radiation therapy (implying that information about the underlying illness must also be collected) and a distinction between acute and chronic can be made based on the onset, course, and progression (as well as severity) of findings. The physical examination should focus on excluding oral candidiasis (through inspection of the oral cavity), recurrence of the primary disease (by palpating proximal lymph nodes) and aspiration pneumonia (through lung auscultation) [2]. Although the condition can be identified solely on clinical grounds, imaging studies should be employed to solidify suspicion [2]. Barium swallowing test is useful for detecting strictures and abnormal peristalsis, computed tomography (CT) is indicated for evaluation of disease recurrence and detection of a possible fistula, but endoscopy is regarded as the gold standard for esophageal assessment [1] [2]. In addition to strictures, typical findings on endoscopy include erosions, erythema, ulceration, and even hemorrhage, but the severity of esophageal damage may not always correlate with reported symptoms [1] [2]. Histology can be useful, particularly when opportunistic infections compromise the diagnosis, showing chronic inflammatory changes and extensive fibrosis [1] [2].

• Multiple Ulcerations

  The image displays the cardias with multiple ulcers. Alcohol. Heavy drinking can cause patchy inflammatory erythema of the esophageal mucosa. With abstinence, these changes are quickly and completely reversible. Video Endoscopic Sequence 2 of 2. [gastrointestinalatlas.com]

1. Murro D, Jakate S. Radiation esophagitis. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2015;139(6):827-830.
2. Baker S, Fairchild A. Radiation-induced esophagitis in lung cancer. Lung Cancer (Auckl). 2016;7:119-127.
3. Bar-Ad V, Ohri N, Werner-Wasik M. Esophagitis, treatment-related toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer. Rev Recent Clin Trials. 2012;7(1):31–35.4
4. Berkey FJ. Managing the adverse effects of radiation therapy. Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(4):381-388, 394.
5. Ahn S, Kahn D, Zhou S, et al. Dosimetric and clinical predictors for radiation-induced esophageal injury. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2005;61(2):335–347.