title: Effects of octreotide therapy in progressive head and neck paragangliomas: case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Octreotide, a somatostatin analog, may be beneficial in the treatment of head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a nonblinded, prospective intervention study. During 1 year, patients received a monthly intramuscular injection of 30 mg octreotide. Pretreatment and posttreatment tumor volumes were assessed by MRI, urinary catecholamine secretion was measured, and HNPGL-related signs and symptoms were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 1 of 4 included patients with HNPGL, a stabilization of tumor growth was observed after octreotide therapy. In 1 patient, octreotide therapy was discontinued before the end of the study because of potential side effects. No improvements in HNPGL-related signs and symptoms were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 1 of 4 patients, HNPGL tumor growth velocity was reduced after octreotide therapy. Research assessing the effects of somatostatin analogues targeting different somatostatin receptor subtypes or combined with other therapies may offer new possibilities for the treatment of HNPGLs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Leonie T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: van Hulsteijn
authors.forename: Nicolette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van Duinen
authors.forename: Berit M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Verbist
authors.forename: Jeroen C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Agatha A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: van der Klaauw
authors.forename: Jan W A
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: Eleonora P M
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Corssmit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000652:urine; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D002395:Catecholamines; D003287:Contrast Media; D013385:Succinate Dehydrogenase; D015282:Octreotide
keywords: head and neck paragangliomas; octreotide; somatostatin analogues; treatment; tumor growth