title: Can cytokines prolong survival in ampullary neuroendocrine carcinomas?
abstract: Herein we report the case of an ampullary tumor in a 53-yr-old Japanese woman who presented in March 1988 with abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice. A pancreatoduodenectomy was carried out, and 3 months later, she presented with a Virchow's node. She was initially treated with cytokines plus 5-fluorouracil derivative, resulting in a complete remission lasting over a year. However, in July 1990, the Virchow's node reappeared and was surgically excised. Histology revealed a small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNC) similar to the prior ampullary tumor, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical studies and electron microscopic examination. The patient was discharged within 1 month, remaining disease-free over a 18-month period following excision. We suggest that the use of cytokines can be effective, and can increase survival in gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, Okayama University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwagaki
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hizuta
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakagami
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mimura
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Orita
mesh_terms: D014670:Ampulla of Vater; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003138:Common Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate; D005641:Tegafur / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014498:Uracil / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D005641:Tegafur; D014498:Uracil