Treatment outcomes with long acting octreotide in inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma: a local experience and review of literature.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of long acting octreotide (LAR) in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma; as well as to estimate the improvement in the quality of life.


METHODS
This study was carried out at the Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad between February and September 2003. Patients were recruited after an informed consent. There were 22 patients who decided to take the medication whereas 20 patients refused due to socio-economic issues. They served as controls. The patients agreeable for treatment were administered octreotide 100 mcg subcutaneously thrice daily for two weeks. This was followed by monthly administration of 20 mg intramuscular octreotide. The patients were followed up for 6 months. Tumor size, alpha-fetoprotein levels, and improvement in quality of life (QOL) were monitored during therapy.


RESULTS
Out of 22 patients, 19 patients completed the treatment. All were males. Mean age at presentation was 55 years. Tumor size regression was seen in 10 out of 22 patients (45.5%). Mean alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased in 11 out of 22 (50%) patients. An improvement in the quality of life was seen in 10 out of 22 (45.5%) patients after treatment with long acting octreotide. In the treatment arm, 14 out of 22 (64%) patients were alive at the end of six months as compared to 10 out of 20 (50%) in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
LAR causes tumor size regression, decreases AFP levels and improves quality of life in patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma.
Gill
Muzaffar Lateef
ML
Department of Gastroenterology, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad.
Atiq
Muslim
M
Sattar
Syma
S
Khokhar
Nasir
N
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D015282:Octreotide