Related Experiment Videos
Iodine-131-MIBG therapy of a patient with carcinoid liver metastases
E M Prvulovich1, R C Stein, J B Bomanji
1Meyerstein Institute of Oncology, and Department of Surgery, University College London Medical School, United Kingdom.
Unlabelled:
Iodine-13I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is highly concentrated by >60% of carcinoid metastases and thus provides a therapeutic opportunity.
Methods:
A symptomatic patient with carcinoid liver metastases, unresponsive to chemotherapy combined with interferon-alpha, was subsequently treated with 131I-MIBG.
Results:
Radionuclide therapy, which was without significant side effects, resulted in symptomatic improvement and reduced urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels. No new metastases were observed for 15 mo after 131I-MIBG therapy. Gross cystic change occurred in existing liver metastases, presumably as a result of ischemic necrosis. Surgical deroofing and aspiration of cysts led to regeneration of normal liver tissue.
Conclusion:
Iodine-131-MIBG therapy can provide prolonged symptomatic relief and improved quality of life in patients with metastatic carcinoid disease unresponsive to other therapies. The antitumor effect of 131I-MIBG was accompanied by few side effects, suggesting that this therapy should be considered in symptomatic patients with an early stage of disease.