--Disease Characteristics-- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia or senile ectasia Refractory to or unable to tolerate hormonal therapy, i.e.: Estrogen Progesterone Danazol Gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage requiring transfusion within past 3 months Recurrent GI bleeding over more than 1 year At least 4 units packed RBCs transfused within past year OR intravenous iron required more than 4 times within past year No other likely source of hemorrhage determined within past year --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Disease hormone-refractory --Patient Characteristics-- No octreotide sensitivity