Neuroendocrine tumors with syndromic vasoactive intestinal polypeptide hypersecretion : a retrospective study

• Aim: Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide producing neuroendocrine tumors are rare and cause severe hormonal symptoms. Patients/methods: Eighteen patients with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide producing neuroendocrine tumors were analyzed with reviews of medical records, radiology and tumor tissue specimens. Results: Twelve patients (67%) had liver metastases at diagnosis. Chemotherapy, somatostatin analogs and interferon were given as medical therapies. Streptozocin/5-fluorouracil produced an objective response in 40% of the evaluable patients. Somatostatin analogs gave a clinical/biochemical response in eight out of nine patients. Transarterial embolization of the liver and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy was given to refractory cases. Sixteen patients died during the observation period. The median overall survival from diagnosis was 102 months. Conclusion: Systemic chemotherapy and somatostatin analogs should be given in cases of advanced disease or for hormonal symptoms.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

chemotherapy

IFN-α

neuroendocrine tumors

pancreas

somatostatin analogs

survival

vasoactive intestinal polypeptide

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)