Benefits of probiotics in the treatment of abdominal and pelvic cancers

I have just read the excellent article by Prof. Paul Enck, a microbiota specialist in Germany, on the conclusions of a recent study on the association of probiotics with certain anti-cancer treatments. The use of probiotics by patients with abdominal and pelvic cancers undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy, would have a beneficial effect on the incidence of grade ≥2 diarrhea associated with these treatments, without significant adverse effects.

This is the conclusion highlighted in a systematic review and meta-analysis of 9 studies involving 1,265 participants conducted by Dr. C-W Pei at the end of 2016 at the Clinical Medical College and Evidence Based Medical Center in Lanzhou, China. 1

¹ Wang YH, Yao N, Wei KK, et al. The efficacy and safety of probiotics for prevention of chemoradiotherapy-induced diarrhea in people with abdominal and pelvic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016; 70(11):1246-53. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.102.