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Octreotide therapy in carcinoid disease
N D Bax1, H F Woods, A Batchelor
1Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Sheffield, UK.
Anti-Cancer Drugs
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Octreotide and somatostatin analogues effectively manage carcinoid syndrome symptoms like flushing and diarrhea. While not proven to affect tumor growth or survival, they are crucial for symptom control and surgical stability.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Carcinoid syndrome presents with debilitating symptoms such as flushing and diarrhea.
- Current therapeutic options for carcinoid syndrome are limited, with significant unmet needs.
- Octreotide and other somatostatin analogues represent a key pharmacological approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of octreotide and somatostatin analogues in managing carcinoid syndrome.
- To assess the role of these agents in symptom control versus disease modification.
- To determine the perioperative utility of octreotide in carcinoid disease management.
Main Methods:
- Review of published studies on octreotide and somatostatin analogue therapy for carcinoid syndrome.
- Analysis of symptom control, tumor growth, survival data, and perioperative use.
- Assessment of evidence quality, noting limitations such as small patient numbers and lack of control groups.
Main Results:
- Octreotide and somatostatin analogues are effective in controlling flushing and diarrhea associated with carcinoid syndrome.
- Evidence for effects on tumor growth or survival remains inconclusive.
- These agents are vital for perioperative cardiovascular and respiratory stability.
Conclusions:
- Octreotide and somatostatin analogues are the current treatments of choice for symptomatic control of carcinoid syndrome.
- Their primary role is symptom management, not disease modification or improved survival.
- Availability of octreotide in operating rooms is essential for surgical management of carcinoid disease.