Onco-Neurogastroenterology: Gastrointestinal Motility and Sensation Across the Cancer Spectrum

Gastrointestinal sensory-motor dysfunction may cause acute, subacute, or chronic and variable digestive symptoms, and it may be overlooked as a factor across the cancer spectrum. The process may be regional or generalized, involving the entire gastrointestinal tract and it may be primary (a result of tumor-induced infiltrative denervation), or secondary to prior oncologic, surgical or radiation therapy. Sensory-motor dysfunction may precede, occur concurrently, or follow cancer, and it may be a manifestation of limited, metastatic, or even cured cancer. Clinical consideration and use of modern technology may help with diagnosis and therapy, thus improving quality of life in such patients. This book compiles and presents the most clinically important issues in Onco-Neurogastroenterology to help anyone taking care of patients with cancer-related gastrointestinal problems.