Recent aspects in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up in a series of 116 carcinoid tumors of the gastrointestinal tract (EN)

P. Bobotsi1, A. Kolindou2, S. Tseleni-Balafouta3, E. Mallas4, G.C. Nikou1, C. Toubanakis1, P. Nikolaou

SUMMARY Aim of the study: We present in this study our diagnostic and therapeutical approach in a series of 116 patients (pts) with carcinoid tumors originating from the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pancreas, in parallel with a brief review of the literature. Methodology: One hundred and sixteen (75 females and 41 males, aged from 16 to 85 years) pts were included.The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. Pts were evaluated several times per year with clinical, biochemical and imaging assesments, including neuroendocrine markers [Chromogranin-A(CgA),5-HIAA] and OCTREOSCAN. The follow-up period ranged between 1.5 to 12.5 years (mean time: 5 years and 3 months) and it is still in progress. Results: Pts’ symptoms depended mainly on the location of the primary tumors and the existence or not of metastases. CgA and 5-HIAA levels were increased especially in metastatic tumors. OCTREOSCAN was positive in 94% pts with metastatic disease. The majority of pts underwent a surgical resection of the primary tumor, while in 18%, an endoscopic polypectomy was performed. Somatostatin analogues when used, resulted in control of symptoms (71%), stabilization of tumor growth (66%) or tumor shrinkage (8.5%). Conclusions: a) Tumor size and dispersion of disease highly predict the evolution of pts b) serum Chromogranin-A seems to be a very useful tumor marker c) OCTREOSCAN contributes to the better localization of the primary tumors and their metastases d) surgery is the treatment of choice in non-metastatic tumors and, is recommended when possible, in already metastatic ones and e) in metastatic disease, Somatostatin analogues improve the pts’ quality of life and result in stabilization of disease in most cases. The results of most studies are in agreement with our experience. Key words: Carcinoid tumors,Chromograninn -A, Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy, carcinoid syndrome, surgical excision, Somatostatin analogues, neuroendocrine tumors. (EN)

info:eu-repo/semantics/article

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Ελληνική Γαστροεντερολογική Εταιρία

Annals of Gastroenterology

Αγγλική γλώσσα

2007-03-19

http://www.annalsgastro.gr/index.php/annalsgastro/article/view/323

Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology (EN)

1792-7463

1108-7471

Annals of Gastroenterology; Volume 18, No 2 (2005) (EN)