External-beam radiotherapy: A realistic therapeutic option for the gastric antral vascular ectasia

The gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a well recognizable endoscopic entity characterized by the presence of multiple linear angioectatic vessels predominantly located in the antrum, with a typical appearance of "watermelon stomach". This condition typically affects elderly females presenting as iron-deficiency anaemia due to chronic gastric bleeding. Standard treatment is endoscopic ablation of the gastric mucosa. For non-responders, radical surgery is considered a curative treatment but with considerable morbidity and mortality. Radiation therapy is a well-known alternative for many benign diseases, including anomalous vascular hyperproliferative diseases, although its role has not been defined for GAVE. The present case illustrates the efficacy and tolerance of radiotherapy in the treatment of symptomatic gastric watermelon.