Loose stools or going more often can be caused by a number of factors related to cancer, including cancer treatments and certain cancers themselves:
Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
Cancer treatments | Many cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplants, can cause diarrhea. These treatments can damage the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, making stools softer and more watery. |
Certain cancers | Some cancers, such as pancreatic, gastric, and colorectal cancer, can cause diarrhea. |
Infections | Cancer treatments can make you more susceptible to infections, which can cause diarrhea. Antibiotics used to treat some infections may also cause diarrhea. |
Surgery | Surgery can cause diarrhea if certain parts of the intestine are removed. |
Diarrhea can be a serious health problem, especially if it's severe, because your body doesn't absorb enough water and nutrients. Dehydration can be life-threatening, so you should tell your doctor or nurse if you have
People with cancer often develop diarrhea related to cancer treatments. The cells lining the gastrointestinal (GI) tract divide rapidly, so they can be easily damaged by treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplant or targeted therapy.
