[Interferon treatment in neuroendocrine tumors]

Neuro-endocrine tumours of the abdomen have long constituted a therapeutic challenge. Although characterised by slow growth rates, these tumours produce peptides and amines which in turn give rise to more or less severe clinical symptoms. Surgery has been deemed the treatment of choice, and is to be considered even in cases of metastasising disease. Medical treatment includes chemotherapy, and treatment with somatostatin analogues and interferons. By means of long-term treatment with alpha-interferon (leukocyte interferon), the disease can be controlled for long periods.