Estrogen-progestin therapy and coronary heart disease in radiation-induced rectal telangiectases

We describe two elderly men with preexisting coronary heart disease (CHD) and prostatic carcinoma who presented with intractable anemia due to radiation-induced rectal telangiectases and bleeding. Remission of the bleeding was achieved in both patients by treatment with an estrogen-progestin preparation. However, aggravation of the CHD occurred in both patients. We believe that estrogen-progestin preparations have a potential in the treatment of men with radiation-induced rectal telangiectases, but additional studies are needed to evaluate their long-term effects and optimal dose.