title: Metastatic phaeochromocytoma with a long-term response after iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine therapy.
abstract: Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine ([131I]MIBG), a radiopharmaceutical agent, is used for treating malignant phaeochromocytoma. [131I]MIBG therapy results in a hormone response rate of approximately 50%, but generally it yields only a partial or no tumour response. We present a case of a 46-year-old woman with a familial history of von Hippel-Lindau disease, who was treated with [131I]MIBG for a metastatic phaeochromocytoma involving the lungs, liver and bones. The patient received a cumulative dose of 33.3 GBq (900 mCi) and a complete hormone response was observed, as evaluated on the basis of catecholamine and metanephrine levels. Conventional radiography, computerized tomography and [131I]MIBG scintigraphy indicated that a near-complete tumour regression was achieved, with no evidence of relapse during a 4-year follow-up period. This case thus demonstrates that treatment with [131I]MIBG may lead to a dramatic tumour response in malignant phaeochromocytoma presenting both soft tissue and bone metastases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, CHRU Lapeyronie, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pujol
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bringer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Faurous
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jaffiol
mesh_terms: D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007462:Iodobenzenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D010673:Pheochromocytoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D006623:von Hippel-Lindau Disease / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007462:Iodobenzenes; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine