The most important treatment modality for the carcinoid syndrome (flushing, diarrhea etc) due to carcinoid secreted hormones) is octreotide, a synthetic hormone similar in structure to the naturally-occurring hormone, somatostatin.
First I discuss Octerotide scan. There are a number of case reports of this modlaity that suggest effectiveness. OctreoScan, using octreotide (Sandostatin) tagged with radiolabeled 111 Indium-pentetreotide is supported by many reprots ans is an FDA approved modality. Indium In-111 pentetreotide is an agent for the scintigraphic localization of primary and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors bearing somatostatin receptors.
Treatment with high dose IN-111 often follows localization. Anthony and others have presented large case series suggesting effectiveness but studies are still ongoing, including: Safety and Efficacy Study of In-111 Pentetreotide to Treat Neuroendocrine Tumors
This study is currently recruiting participants. , NCT00442533. The purpose of this study is to determine if High-dose 111In-Pentetreotide known as NeuroendoMedix®, is an effective treatment for Neuroendocrine Tumors.
S.. A. Kaltsas, G. M. Besser, and A. B. Grossman
The Diagnosis and Medical Management of Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors
Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2004; 25(3): 458 – 511.
Lowell B. Anthony, Eugene A. Woltering, Gregory D. Espenan, Michele D. Cronin, Tom J. Maloney, Kevin E. McCarthy
Indium-111-pentetreotide prolongs survival in gastroenteropancreatic malignancies
Seminars in Nuclear Medicine – April 2002 (Vol. 32, Issue 2, Pages 123-132
S.. A. Kaltsas, G. M. Besser, and A. B. Grossman
The Diagnosis and Medical Management of Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumors
Endocr. Rev., June 1, 2004; 25(3): 458 – 511.
P. L. Filosso, E. Ruffini, A. Oliaro, E. Papalia, G. Donati, and O. Rena
Long-term survival of atypical bronchial carcinoids with liver metastases, treated with octreotide
Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., May 1, 2002; 21(5): 913 – 917.
nccn.org, carcinoid
Buscombe, J. R.; Caplin, M. E.; Hilson, A. J.W Treating disseminated NETs with high activity In-111 Octreotide. Nuclear Medicine Communications. 21(6):567, June 2000.