Cytotoxic therapy of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) tumors
Syrigos, K.N.; Sitara, D.; Georgiou, E.; Harrington, K.J.
Anticancer Research 22(2b): 1311-1314
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0250-7005 PMID: 12168943 Document Number: 545798
Neuroendocrine gut and pancreatic tumors have provided a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge over the years. Although they are considered slow growing, when disseminated their prognosis is poor. Currently, the various therapeutic options available for patients with inoperable GEP tumors aim either to control symptoms engendered by bioactive mediators, released by tumor cells, or to achieve control of tumor proliferation. The interpretation of the efficacy of the cytotoxic therapy on GEP tumors is hampered by the small size of the studies performed and the inconsistence in tumor type, origin and degree of differentiation. Nevertheless, it is widely recognized that chemotherapy has some role in the management of Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Tumors (NPTs), while in Metastatic Carcinoid Tumors (MCTs) it has only a minimal effect.