Laser therapy for severe radiation-induced rectal bleeding.
Four patients with chronic hematochezia and transfusion-dependent anemia from postradiation rectal vascular lesions were successfully managed by endoscopic laser coagulation. In all four patients, symptomatic, hematologic, and endoscopic improvement was evident. Laser therapy for severe radiation-induced rectal bleeding seems to be safe and efficacious and should be considered before surgical intervention.
D000368:Aged; D004724:Endoscopy; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*