title: Long-term results of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome receiving octreotide LAR.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Octreotide LAR is an established treatment for malignant carcinoid syndrome. However, studies with large number of patients and long follow-up are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present long-terms results with octreotide LAR, assessing duration of clinical and objective response and treatment tolerance, in a large, homogeneous cohort of patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 108 patients with metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumours were included in this 8-year study. Clinical evaluation was based on a symptom score. Radiological assessment was based on RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumours) criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 108 patients, 24% had a sustained symptomatic response. In the remaining patients, loss of symptomatic response with the initial dose was noted within 3-60 months. In 17% of them, symptoms were controlled by just an increase of octreotide LAR dose, whilst the other patients required additional treatment. Overall, in 45.3% of patients, symptoms were well controlled during the study period with only octreotide LAR, and no additional treatment was required. No significant adverse effects were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Octreotide LAR treatment provides a sustained symptomatic response in about half of the patients with malignant carcinoid syndrome and contributes to disease stabilization for a longer period than previously described.
authors: Neuroendocrine Tumour Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Toumpanakis
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Garland
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Marelli
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Srirajaskanthan
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Soh
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Davies
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Buscombe
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Caplin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008303:Malignant Carcinoid Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D015282:Octreotide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D015282:Octreotide