Gastric perforation in non-hodgkin's lymphoma

Abstract

Oral steroids are an important component in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma in children. Until recently it was widely accepted that treatment with oral steroids carried the risk of gastrointestinal complications, in particular gastric irritation, gastrointestinal ulceration, and hemorrhage. Though spontaneous intestinal perforation has been reported, to our knowledge, spontaneous perforation of the stomach in a child with lymphoma taking oral steroids has not previously been described. Furthermore, this report would appear to contradict recent reports claiming that steroid-induced ulcers do not arise unless the patient is also concurrently receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.1,2,3 © 1993 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.