Regression of rectal stenosis secondary to neoplasm in an HIV1-positive patient with gancyclovir antiviral therapy: report of a case.
OBJECTIVE
The case of a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient with rectal stenosis caused by a tumor that completely regressed in response to gancyclovir is presented.


METHODS
Several biopsies from the tumoral mass failed to show any stigmata of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, or Kaposi sarcoma. No parasites could be detected in rectal biopsies. Viral inclusions showing both Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus on immunostained sections suggested an unusual form of viral infection.


RESULTS
Antiviral therapy (gancyclovir 10 mg/kg/day) had a dramatic effect on pain and discharge of blood, and suppressed rectal difficulties within three days of therapy. The antiviral treatment was stopped at Day 10 because of leukopenia. Endoscopic and histologic examinations revealed normal rectal mucosa after 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first case of complete and long-term regression of a rectal stenosis secondary to a tumoral mass in response to antiviral therapy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus.
Sobhani
I
I
Department of Gastroenterology, Bichat Hospital, Paris, France.
Babazadeghan
B M
BM
Francey
A M
AM
Vissuzaine
C
C
Fantin
B
B
Villemant
A
A
Navratil
E
E
Mignon
M
M
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir