Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation and photodynamic therapy for 2 cases of hemorrhagic radiation enteritis

Objective To find out the effective therapy for hemorrhagic radiation enteritis. Methods Patients with clinically diagnosed hemorrhagic radiation enteritis were treated with endoscopic argon plasma coagulation and photodynamic therapy. Results Patient one,a 58-years old male,had hematochezia 6 months after radiotherapy for prostatic carcinoma.Endoscopy showed diffuse telangiectacia with fresh bleeding in the rectum 4-6cm beyond the anus,which was diagnosed as hemorrhagic radiation enteritis and treated with argon plasma coagulation.No relapse was observed during the 6-month follow-up.Patient two,a 52-years-old female,had hematochezia for 5 months,one year after radiotherapy for cervical cancer.Endoscopy showed diffuse telangiectacia with fresh bleeding in the rectum 4-8cm beyond the anus,which was diagnosed as hemorrhagic radiation enteritis and treated with photodynamic therapy.No recurrence was found during the 2-year follow-up. Conclusion Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation and photodynamic therapy are safe,effective for hemorrhagic radiation enteritis.However,further study is needed to determine whether they can be used as the first-line therapy for hemorrhagic radiation enteritis.