RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Treatment of the carcinoid syndrome with the longacting somatostatin analogue lanreotide: a prospective study in 39 patients.
JF Gut
JO Gut
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Society of Gastroenterology
SP 279
OP 283
DO 10.1136/gut.39.2.279
VO 39
IS 2
A1 P Ruszniewski
A1 M Ducreux
A1 J A Chayvialle
A1 J Blumberg
A1 D Cloarec
A1 H Michel
A1 J M Raymond
A1 J L Dupas
A1 H Gouerou
A1 R Jian
A1 E Genestin
A1 P Bernades
A1 P Rougier
YR 1996
UL http://gut.bmj.com/content/39/2/279.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: Somatostatin analogues effectively control flushing and diarrhoea in patients with the carcinoid syndrome. The octapeptide lanreotide is available in slow release form, which could eliminate the necessity of twice a day injections as with octreotide. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 39 patients with carcinoid syndrome were included in a prospective multicentre study. Patients received lanreotide 30 mg intramuscularly every 14 days for six months. The number and intensity of flushing episodes and bowel movements, urinary 5 hydroxy-indolacetic acid (5 HIAA) concentrations, and variations of tumour mass were recorded. RESULTS: After one month of treatment, flushing episodes (median (range)) decreased significantly (3 (0.3-24) episodes per day v 1 (0-15), p = 0.04) and completely resolved in 39% of the patients. A significant decrease was seen in the number of bowel movements and discomfort related to diarrhoea. Urinary 5 HIAA concentrations were unchanged in 57% of the patients and decreased in 18%. After six months of treatment, the actuarial proportions of patients with at least a 50% decrease in the number of flushing episodes and bowel movements were 54% and 56%, respectively. Forty two per cent of the patients who were treated for six months had at least a 50% reduction in 5 HIAA values. No clear signs of regression of tumours were seen in any of the patients. Lanreotide was well tolerated despite transient mild pain or erythema at the injection site in 25% of the patients. Biliary lithiasis appeared in two patients after six months of lanreotide. CONCLUSION: Lanreotide, 30 mg intramuscularly every other week, is an effective and convenient treatment in patients with the carcinoid syndrome.