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Hepatic arterial chemoembolization in patients with liver metastases of endocrine tumors a prospective phase II study in 24 patients
Author(s) -
Ruszniewski Philippe,
Rougier Philippe,
Roche Alain,
Legmann Paul,
Sibert Annie,
Hochlaf Samir,
Ychou Marc,
Mig Michel
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19930415)71:8<2624::aid-cncr2820710830>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - medicine , gastroenterology , endocrine system , chemotherapy , metastasis , octreotide , carcinoid syndrome , liver tumor , surgery , cancer , hormone , hepatocellular carcinoma , somatostatin
Background . Liver metastases of endocrine tumors are of major prognostic significance. The various therapeutic approaches have given disappointing results; however, locoregional treatment has allowed transient control of hepatic tumor growth. Methods . Twenty‐four patients with liver metastases of endocrine tumors (mainly carcinoid tumors [n = 18] and gastrinomas [n = 5]) were included in a Phase II study of hepatic arterial chemoembolization (CE). Metastases were bilateral in all patients and invaded more than 50% of the liver in 12. They were synchronous of the primary tumor in 62.5% of the patients. Seventeen patients had not responded to previous intravenous chemotherapy. CE courses were performed every 3 months using an emulsion of 10 ml of iodized oil and doxorubicin 50 mg/m 2 injected into tumor vessels, followed by CE arterial occlusion with gelatin sponge particles. Seventy‐one CE courses were performed in 23 patients; there was one technical failure. Results . Among patients with carcinoid tumors, disappearance of diarrhea and/or flushing was observed in 8 of 11. Serotonin and/or its metabolite 5‐hydroxyindolacetic acid levels decreased by more than 50% in 57% of the patients. The size of liver metastases decreased by at least 50% in 6 of 18 patients, i.e., in 33% (range, 12–54%). Two had complete responses. The median duration of the responses was 14 months (range, 6–40). Among patients with noncarcinoid tumors, minor response or stabilization occurred in three of five patients. Major side effects were bleeding peptic ulcer (one patient) and oligoanuric renal failure (one patient). Abdominal pain, fever, and increases in hepatic enzyme levels were common and transient. Conclusions . These results suggest that CE is effective in patients with liver metastases of endocrine tumors, mainly in carcinoids. In the latter, CE allows control of the carcinoid syndrome and regression or stabilization of the liver tumors in 80% of patients.