Table 3 Summary of findings from previous studies and the current study for various late gastrointestinal toxicities

Rectal toxicity

Constrain the V_{30-70 Gy}

[28, 34–36]

HDR, EBRT

Constrain the V_{40 Gy} and V_{65-80 Gy}

[37]

EBRT

Constrain the V_100%

[38]

HDR

Limit the D_1cc-10cc

[34]

HDR

D_5%-90% were not significant

[34]

HDR

Rectal bleeding

Limit the high/near maximum doses

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Limit doses > 48 Gy

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Some association with low doses (0–5 Gy)

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Constrain the V_{40-80 Gy}

[2, 26, 28–31, 37, 39–41]

EBRT

Limit the D_2cc and near maximum doses

[4, 42, 43]

EBRT+HDR, LDR, EBRT+LDR

Near maximum doses were not significant

[3]

EBRT+HDR

Limit doses > 30 Gy

[28, 30, 32, 33]

EBRT

Constrain the V_30%, V_50%, V_80% and V_90%

[44]

EBRT

Constrain the V_10%, V_30% and V_50%

[45]

EBRT+HDR

Stool frequency

Limit the mid-high dose range (49–57 Gy)

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Limit the low-mid dose range (4–38 Gy)

[30]

EBRT

Constrain the V_{50-60 Gy}

[26]

EBRT

Constrain the V_{40 Gy}

[32]

EBRT

Diarrhoea

Some association with mid-high doses (50–59 Gy)

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Limit the low-mid doses (22–32 Gy)

[30]

EBRT

Completeness of evacuation

No dose range is significant

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Limit the low-mid doses (12–36 Gy)

[30]

EBRT

Anorectal pain

Some association with mid-dose range (45–48 Gy)

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Urgency/tenesmus

Limit the mid-high doses (43–64 Gy)

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Some association with low doses (25–27 Gy)

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Constrain the V_{40-60 Gy}

[26]

EBRT

Constrain the V_{25-75 Gy}

[37]

EBRT

Limit the low-mid doses (5–38 Gy)

[30]

EBRT

Proctitis

No dose range is significant

Current study

EBRT+HDR

Constrain the V_{40-70 Gy}

[26]

EBRT