Intra-arterial liver chemotherapy and hormone therapy in malignant insulinoma: case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Malignant insulinoma is a rare tumor. Metastatic disease confined to the liver can be treated with various locoregional treatments.

CASE REPORT:

We report a case of a young woman who developed liver metastases twelve years following resection of a pancreatic insulinoma positive to anti-insulin antibodies. With five cycles of intra-arterial locoregional chemotherapy (fluorouracil and epirubicin) to the liver and monthly hormone therapy (octreotide) the patient obtained a clinical complete response. After twelve months she is still disease free.

CONCLUSION:

Locoregional therapy for insulinoma metastatic to the liver might represent the treatment of choice; hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy is an interesting therapeutic approach which deserves attention. The role of somatostatin analogs is limited to symptom control.

• Authors: L Moscetti, R Saltarelli, R Giuliani, G Fornarini, M Bezzi, E Cortesi
• Journal: Tumori (Tumori) 2000 Nov-Dec Vol. 86 Issue 6 Pg. 475-9 ISSN: 0300-8916 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11218190 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Neoplasm
• Insulin
• Epirubicin
• Octreotide
• Fluorouracil

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Neoplasm (analysis)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Epirubicin (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Fluorouracil (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Infusions, Intra-Arterial
• Insulin (immunology)
• Insulinoma (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, immunology, secondary)
• Liver Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy, immunology, secondary)
• Octreotide (administration & dosage)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (immunology, pathology)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome