Successful Treatment of Radiation-Induced Hemorrhagic Gastritis by Prednisolone

Radiation-induced gastritis is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Currently, the standard method for treatment of radiation-induced hemorrhagic gastritis has not been established. We presented a 53-year-old female patient with hemorrhagic gastritis and recurrent melena following external radiotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma. Endoscopic local injection and anti-secretary therapy were performed for hemostasis, but the symptoms still occurred off and on. Finally, high dose prednisolone was prescribed to her. The response was dramatic, and bleeding stopped 2 days later. She was then discharged with stable condition. There was no gastrointestinal bleeding in subsequent 5-month follow-up period. In conclusion, steroid therapy can effectively treat some patients with radiation-induced hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.