Hepatic arterial embolisation in patients with metastatic carcinoid tumours

Hepatic arterial embolisation was performed in six patients with malignant carcinoid tumours; five with the carcinoid syndrome and the other with intractable pain due to pleural and hepatic metastases. A total of 11 embolisations was performed, each time producing noticeable symptomatic relief, especially of facial flushing and diarrhoea. Apart from occasional episodes of the post-embolisation syndrome, no significant complications were experienced. Relief of symptoms lasted 2 months to 18 months in all patients with the carcinoid syndrome. Repeat embolisation was performed in three of the six patients. Three of the six patients have died at intervals ranging from 3 weeks to 20 months after the last embolisation. The cause of death was not related to embolisation. Hepatic embolisation is an effective, safe and repeatable method of palliating the symptoms of the carcinoid syndrome.