The response of neoplastic intestinal vessels to prostaglandin F2α: Angiographic observations with emphasis on therapeutic applications

The effects of prostaglandin (PG) F2α in 16 patients with vascular malignant intestinal tumors were analyzed by angiography. It was found that PGF2α reduced tumor vascular flow selectively in all but one patient, a rectal carcinoma case. Among the remaining group, a case of intestinal choriocarcinoma complicated by massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage was successfully controlled with intraarterial infusion of PGF2α into the superior mesenteric artery. Owing to the reduced blood flow in tumors, PGF2α is expected to be used extensively as a vasoconstrictor to control bleeding from tumors of the alimentary tract.