Use of the somatostatin analogue octreotide to localise and manage somatostatin-producing tumours.
BACKGROUND
Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) and octreotide therapy have both changed the management of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumours, but very few data are available on the use of SRS and octreotide to visualise and treat somatostatinomas.


METHODS
The results of SRS and octreotide treatment in three somatostatinoma patients were examined.


RESULTS
SRS was able to detect extensive hepatic involvement in patient 1, one hepatic and one pancreatic lesion in patient 2, and one hepatic lesion in patient 3. Octreotide therapy (0.5 mg/day subcutaneously) was effective in decreasing plasma levels of somatostatin in all three patients. Symptoms (diabetes and diarrhoea) were greatly improved in the two patients with "somatostatinoma syndrome".


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that somatostatinoma, like most other gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumours, possesses functioning somatostatin receptors.
Department of Gastroenterology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
S
S
Angeletti
V D
VD
Corleto
O
O
Schillaci
M
M
Marignani
B
B
Annibale
A
A
Moretti
G
G
Silecchia
F
F
Scopinaro
N
N
Basso
C
C
Bordi
G
G
Delle Fave
D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000378:metabolism; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013005:Somatostatinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017481:Receptors, Somatostatin; C071632:SDZ 215-811; D013004:Somatostatin; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D015282:Octreotide