Cytotoxic therapy of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tumors.
Neuroendocrine gut and pancreatic tumors have provided a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge over the years. Although they are considered slow growing, when disseminated their prognosis is poor. Currently, the various therapeutic options available for patients with inoperable GEP tumors aim either to control symptoms engendered by bioactive mediators, released by tumor cells, or to achieve control of tumor proliferation. The interpretation of the efficacy of the cytotoxic therapy on GEP tumors is hampered by the small size of the studies performed and the inconsistence in tumor type, origin and degree of differentiation. Nevertheless, it is widely recognized that chemotherapy has some role in the management of Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Tumors (NPTs); while in Metastatic Carcinoid Tumors (MCTs) it has only a minimal effect.
Syrigos
K N
KN
3rd Department of Medicine, Sotiria General Hospital, Athens Medical School, Greece. knsyrigos@usa.net
Sitara
D
D
Georgiou
E
E
Harrington
K J
KJ
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*