The use of octreotide in the symptomatic treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumours: a single-centre experience

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumours originating from endocrine cells scattered throughout the body and which form the diffuse endocrine system. Functioning tumours produce hormones or catecholamines which are responsible for the characteristic clinical picture. Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients with NETs, although it can rarely be radical. Somatostatin analogues play an important role in the drug treatment of NETs, as they effectively control the signs and symptoms of the excessive release of hormones by these tumours. Treatment with somatostatin analogues improves the quality of life for the patient and prolongs survival. We report on four patients with neuroendocrine tumours managed with somatostatin analogues: one male patient with carcinoid syndrome; one female patient with clinical manifestations of functioning VIPoma; and two male patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome.Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumours originating from endocrine cells scattered throughout the body and which form the diffuse endocrine system. Functioning tumours produce hormones or catecholamines which are responsible for the characteristic clinical picture. Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients with NETs, although it can rarely be radical. Somatostatin analogues play an important role in the drug treatment of NETs, as they effectively control the signs and symptoms of the excessive release of hormones by these tumours. Treatment with somatostatin analogues improves the quality of life for the patient and prolongs survival. We report on four patients with neuroendocrine tumours managed with somatostatin analogues: one male patient with carcinoid syndrome; one female patient with clinical manifestations of functioning VIPoma; and two male patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome