Radiation-induced bladder injury is a common complication after pelvic radiotherapy. Few studies exist on diagnosing and treating radiation-induced bladder injury, with no established guidelines or consensus in China or internationally. Clinical physicians’ diagnosis and treatment of radiation-induced bladder injury are primarily based on their own clinical experience, and there is an urgent need for unified guidelines to standardize clinical diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the Chinese Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, China Anti-Cancer Association Tumor Support Therapy Committee, and China Anti-Cancer Association Tumor Radiation Protection Committee gathered experts to develop Chinese clinical practice guidelines, guiding diagnosing and treating radiation-induced bladder injury. The development of these guidelines adopted the grading system of evidence quality and recommendation strength (GRADE).

Although radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of cancer, it may have negative effects in some individuals. Rectal injury is a common adverse effect of abdominal and pelvic radiotherapy. This injury is caused by administering radiation to the abdomen. Appropriate treatment techniques can be determined if doctors have a better understanding of the incidence, risk factors, and clinical symptoms of radiation-induced rectal injuries. Studies on the underlying pathophysiology of radiation-induced rectal injury may aid in the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies. The implementation of efficient preventive measures can improve the quality of life of patients with cancer and make it easier for them to complete their treatment. Therefore, comprehensive and accurate assessments are crucial for developing holistic and individualized treatment plans for patients who have already developed symptoms, with early intervention being a priority.

Acute radiation-induced esophagitis is a common complication of radiotherapy for esophageal, lung, and other malignancies. Therefore, understanding the diagnosis, grading, risk factors, prevention, and treatment of radiation-induced esophagitis is essential. Currently, there are few consensuses and guidelines on radiation-induced esophagitis worldwide, mainly the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) clinical guideline: evidenced based approach to the diagnosis and management of esophageal eosinophilia and eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and the Digestive Endoscopy Society of Chinese Medical Association’s “Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Reflux Esophagitis.” However, no consensus or guidelines specifically addressing radiation-induced esophagitis have been established. Efforts have been made to organize experts to draft Chinese consensus or guidelines, but the recommendations in these guidelines also vary owing to differences in expert backgrounds. The clinical practice guidelines presented herein were developed for the first time with the joint participation of Chinese radiotherapy experts. Drugs and methods with clinical significance were selected by reviewing and summarizing the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced esophagitis and combining them with China’s national conditions. After multiple rounds of discussion and revision, clinical practice guidelines were established in line with the needs of Chinese clinicians, providing useful clinical guidance for the prevention and treatment of radiation-induced esophagitis.

Radiation-induced dermatitis is one of the most prevalent complications in patients undergoing cancer radiotherapy and poses a significant challenge to cancer therapy. The symptoms include erythema, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation, which are frequently observed in patients with breast, head and neck, anal, and vulvar cancers. Early skin reactions typically manifest within 2–4 weeks following the initiation of radiotherapy. In severe cases, acute dermatitis can cause radiotherapy interruptions, prolong treatment time, and ultimately affect patient outcomes and quality of life. Currently, there are numerous guidelines on radiation dermatitis, including the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA), Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), and UK Society of Radiographers (SCoR) guidelines. In China, dermatology experts have drafted a consensus. However, due to the differing backgrounds of experts, recommendations among guidelines vary. These guidelines were first developed by Chinese radiation oncologists. The evidence-based guideline in this paper fully considers and adopts China's national conditions; hence, it can be easily applied in daily practice.