[Severe hemorrhagic gastritis of radiation origin]

Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 1998 Feb;22(2):232-4.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Severe gastric complications due to radiotherapy are uncommon, in particular hemorrhagic gastritis. A high total dose and, above all, high daily fraction appear to be the main risk factors in gastric injuries. A case of hemorrhagic gastritis induced by radiotherapy requesting a total gastrectomy is reported. The patient was treated for a primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Hemorrhagic gastritis occurred despite a low total dose (40 Gy) and 2 Gy daily fractions. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and repeated biopsies are usually insufficient to exclude a tumor recurrence. Endoscopic ultrasonography may argue for a recurrence or for radiation lesions. As the conservative treatment is usually ineffective, these gastrointestinal radiation injuries ought to be treated surgically. Besides it allows to ascertain the benign nature of radiation lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Gastritis / etiology*
  • Gastritis / pathology
  • Gastritis / surgery
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / pathology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / radiotherapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*