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Treatment and Management of NETs

Physicians often use a 2-pronged treatment approach for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Surgery is often the first step; the goal is to remove the tumour or reduce its size. Surgery is followed by treatment with somatostatin analogues, chemotherapy, or interferons, if the tumour is only partially removed or if symptoms persist. A procedure known as hepatic embolisation may be used to control cancer that has spread from a carcinoid tumour into the liver. It helps reduce symptoms by decreasing blood supply to the liver and starving tumour cells.

A second approach involves treating symptoms with different medications:

• Diarrhoea and flushing—somatostatin analogues
• Hormone secretion inhibition—somatostatin analogues
• Heart disease—diuretics
• Wheezing—bronchodilators

Read more about treatment methods for NETs.

In patients with GEP NETs, Sandostatin^® LAR^® suppresses diarrhoea by slowing down gastrointestinal transit time and increasing liquid absorption.^1-6 It also works at the site of the tumours to control hormone secretions.^7-9

Read more about the efficacy of Sandostatin LAR.

Sandostatin LAR provides a variety of dosing options for excellent control of symptoms associated with GEP NETs.

Read more about dosing with Sandostatin LAR.

Read more about the safety of Sandostatin LAR.

References: 1. Rubin J, Ajani J, Schirmer W, et al. Octreotide acetate long-acting formulation versus open-label subcutaneous octreotide acetate in malignant carcinoid syndrome. J Clin Oncol. 1999;17:600-606. 2. Vinik A, Moattari AR. Use of somatostatin analog in management of carcinoid syndrome. Dig Dis Sci. 1989;34(March suppl):14S-27S. 3. Sandostatin^® LAR^® Depot [prescribing information]. East Hanover, NJ: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; 2008. 4. Maton PN, O'Dorisio TM, Howe BA, et al. Effect of a long-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201-995) in a patient with pancreatic cholera. N Engl J Med. 1985;312:17-21. 5. Cello JP, Chan MF. Octreotide therapy for variceal hemorrhage. Digestion. 1993;54(suppl):20-26.6. Dueno MI, Bai JC, Santangelo WC, et al. Effect of somatostatin analog on water and electrolyte transport and transit time in human small bowel. Dig Dis Sci. 1987;32:1092-1096. 7. Benali N, et al. Somatostatin receptors. Digestion. 2000;62:27-32. 8. Battershill PE, et al. Octreotide: a review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic potential in conditions associated with excessive peptide secretion. Drugs. 1989;38:658-702. 9. Arnold R, et al. Somatostatin analogue octreotide and inhibition of tumour growth in metastatic endocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumours. Gut. 1996;38:430-438.