OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the efficacy of octreotide, a somatostatin octapeptide analog, in decreasing gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with hormone-refractory hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia or senile ectasia.
PROTOCOL OUTLINE: Patients are treated with subcutaneous injections of octreotide twice a day. The dose is adjusted based on response. If there is no requirement for transfusions or intravenous iron for 4 weeks and the hemoglobin is greater than 10 mg/dL, therapy is continued for 1 year. If there is no decrease in bleeding after 10 weeks, the patient is removed from study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Purpose
TREATMENT
Enrollment
8
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.