Intra-arterial liver chemotherapy and hormone therapy in malignant insulinoma: case report and review of the literature
Moscetti, L.; Saltarelli, R.; Giuliani, R.; Fornarini, G.; Bezzi, M.; Cortesi, E.
Tumori 86(6): 475-479
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8916 PMID: 11218190 Document Number: 518296
Malignant insulinoma is a rare tumor. Metastatic disease confined to the liver can be treated with various locoregional treatments. 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. 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.