Abscopal effect in pulmonary carcinoid tumor following ablative stereotactic body radiation therapy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The abscopal effect was described as early as the 1950s, when untreated tumors demonstrated a response after radiation therapy was delivered to an untreated, distant site. The mechanisms underlying this global response to otherwise localized therapy remain unknown, though there is increasing evidence that increased antigen expression following ablative radiotherapy may play a role. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 69-year-old African American woman with a history of metastatic typical pulmonary carcinoid with multiple lung nodules who had a significant decrease in size of an untreated left upper lobe nodule after stereotactic body radiation therapy to an oligoprogressive left lower lobe lesion. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this report describes the first case of an abscopal effect in a typical pulmonary carcinoid. Further research is needed regarding the mechanisms responsible for this finding and the role of combining radiation therapy and cancer immunotherapy in patients with pulmonary carcinoid tumors.

Octreotide for resuscitation of cardiac arrest due to carcinoid crisis precipitated by novel peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT): A case report.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective treatment for metastatic carcinoid tumours but can precipitate a carcinoid crisis through release of stored bioamines. Cardiac arrest is an uncommon manifestation of carcinoid crisis and has never been reported as a complication of PRRT. We report a case of a 58-year old female who suffered from cardiac arrest following PRRT for metastatic carcinoid tumour. She was successfully resuscitated using intravenous octreotide following 22 min of failure to resuscitate with a standard advanced cardiac life support protocol. Following resuscitation, severe carcinoid heart disease was diagnosed, and the patient subsequently underwent successful surgical valve replacement. Although there is no trial evidence, considering pharmacological rationale and successful outcome in this case, we suggest early administration of intravenous octreotide during resuscitation of patients suffering cardiac arrest post PRRT for carcinoid disease and recommend preventive strategies.

Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy for Patients With Advanced Lung Carcinoids.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are a family of malignancies of diverse origin, including the lung, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. Lung NEN include well differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NET) classified as typical carcinoids or atypical carcinoids, and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas classified as small-cell lung carcinoma or large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. According to a recent analysis of a large, population-based registry, approximately one-third of all patients with lung typical/atypical carcinoids have distant metastases at diagnosis, and median survival for these patients is 24 months. At present, only 1 therapy is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients with advanced lung typical/atypical carcinoids, everolimus, indicating a clear need for more treatment options in this patient population. Although not yet supported by results from randomized prospective trials, somatostatin analogues are considered an acceptable treatment option for patients with lung typical/atypical carcinoids expressing somatostatin receptors. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with 177Lu-DOTATATE was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic NET; however, the role of PRRT in patients with lung typical/atypical carcinoids remains unclear, because they were not included in the pivotal NETTER-1 (Neuroendocrine Tumors Therapy) trial. Herein we provide a comprehensive review of the available clinical evidence for efficacy and safety of PRRT in patients with lung typical/atypical carcinoids. On the basis of the preliminary evidence of efficacy and the consistent safety profile in this patient group, we propose that experienced multidisciplinary NET teams may consider PRRT alongside everolimus as an option for patients with advanced somatostatin receptor-positive lung typical/atypical carcinoids whose disease is progressing during first-line treatment with somatostatin analogues.

Primary well differentiated neuroendocrine tumor of the filum terminale. Case report and literature review. / Tumor neuroendocrino bien diferenciado intradural-extramedular primario del filum terminale. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of a well-differentiated primary intradural-extramedullary neuroendocrine tumor of the filum terminale and to conduct a literature review. CASE: A 68-years old patient was assessed after presenting lower back pain and sciatica with ineffective pain relief. The patient presented an intradural-extramedullary lumbar lesion arising from the filum terminale, which was partially resected. The pathology diagnosis was a well-differentiated primary neuroendocrine tumor (carcinoid tumor). After a multidisciplinary evaluation, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy was administered. No progression or metastatic spread was observed in successive assessments. DISCUSSION: Neuroendocrine tumors are heterogeneous neoplasms derived predominantly from enterochromaffin cells, in which chemotherapy plays a very limited role. In contrast, radiotherapy has been described in partially resected lesions. CONCLUSION: Well-differentiated primary neuroendocrine tumors with intradural-extramedullary lumbosacral location are an exceptional rarity. Isolated surgical resection, or associated with an adjuvant radiotherapy treatment in subtotal resections, could be considered an effective therapeutic strategy.

Long-term results of PRRT in advanced bronchopulmonary carcinoid.

PURPOSE: Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours (NET) has been explored for almost two decades, but there are still few trials that have exclusively investigated well-differentiated and moderately differentiated NET arising from the respiratory tree. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the outcome in patients affected by bronchopulmonary carcinoid (BPC) following PRRT. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 114 patients with advanced stage BPC consecutively treated with PRRT at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, from 1997 to 2012 and followed until October 2014. The objective responses, overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were rated, and three different PRRT protocols ((90)Y-DOTATOC vs. (177)Lu-DOTATATE vs. (90)Y-DOTATOC + (177)Lu-DOTATATE) were compared with regard to their efficacy and tolerability. RESULTS: The median OS (evaluated in 94 of the 114 patients) was 58.8 months. The median PFS was 28.0 months. The (177)Lu-DOTATATE protocol resulted in the highest 5-year OS (61.4%). Morphological responses (partial responses + minor responses) were obtained in 26.5% of the cohort and were associated with longer OS and PFS. The (90)Y-DOTATOC + (177)Lu-DOTATATE protocol provided the highest response rate (38.1%). Adverse events were mild in the majority of patients. However, haematological toxicity negatively affected survival. No severe (grade 3/4) serum creatinine increase was observed. Patients treated with (90)Y-DOTATOC alone more frequently showed a mild/moderate decrease in renal function. In patients treated with chemotherapy before PRRT had a shorter OS and PFS, and a higher risk of developing nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSION: In a large cohort of patients with advanced BPC treated in a "real-world" scenario and followed up for a median of 45.1 months (range 2-191 months), PRRT proved to be promising in prolonging survival and delaying disease progression. Despite the potential selection biases, considering the risk-benefit ratio, (177)Lu-DOTATATE monotherapy seems the best option for PRRT. Our results indicate that the use of PRRT in earlier stages of the disease could provide a more favorable outcome.

[Laryngeal Atypical Carcinoid Combined with Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report].

The primary laryngeal atypical carcinoid is relatively rare, and the tumor combined with other histologic types including squamous cell carcinoma is extremely rare. We experienced a case which was complicated with atypical carcinoid and squamous cell carcinoma. A 79 years old man complaining of sputum was admitted to Hiroshima City Hospital. A tumor was seen in over the right glottis and the right vocal fold was fixed. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed based on a biopsy harvested under laryngoscopy. Imaging studies (CT, MRI) were done. The primary tumor was in the right aryepiglottic fold, and one swollen lymph node was found in level 2 (right side). Based on the findings, the stage was T3N1M0. We performed a total laryngectomy and right neck dissection. Atypical carcinoid and squamous cell carcinoma were detected in the same tumor. There were two lymph node metastases, both of which were atypical carcinoid metastases. Postoperative irradiation was provided. It is now 4 years since the operation, but the patient lives without relapse and metastasis of this disease.

This, that, or something different?

A 72-year-old man presented after a single choroidal mass was incidentally detected on fundus examination of his right eye. The patient has a history of multiple myeloma and neuroendocrine thymoma diagnosed 6 and 10 years before presentation, respectively. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy revealed metastatic choroidal carcinoid tumor. The patient was subsequently treated with brachytherapy (iodine-125).

Divergent management strategies for typical versus atypical carcinoid tumors of the thoracic cavity.

OBJECTIVES: At our institution, limited surgical techniques are reserved only for suspected typical carcinoids, and nodal dissection and multimodality therapy are frequently used for atypical carcinoids. We describe the results of these differing management strategies based on initial clinicopathologic characteristics. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients treated for thoracic carcinoid from 1995 to 2009. Information was abstracted concerning surgical and nonsurgical treatments, pathology results, and outcomes. Event-free and survival endpoints were compared. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 5.0 years (range, 0.5 to 17.4 y). Fifty-two patients underwent resection. The 5-year event-free survival for typical carcinoid patients was 88.2%. Atypical carcinoids had a tendency for nodal involvement (50% vs. 15%) and greater likelihood for disease recurrence, with a 5-year event-free survival of 50%. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the appropriateness of divergent management strategies for typical versus atypical bronchial carcinoids. We propose the following: (1) nonanatomic resection is acceptable only for peripheral typical carcinoids; (2) extended mediastinal dissection should be limited to central presentations, clinically aggressive, or atypical carcinoids; (3) atypical histology, especially with nodal involvement, is prognostic for recurrence and metastasis; (4) nonsurgical therapies only rarely achieve long-term freedom from disease.

Metastatic mediastinal carcinoid presenting as superior mediastinal syndrome and treated with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.

A 43-year-old man with known superior mediastinal syndrome due to (99m)Tc HYNIC DOTA SPECT/CT and (18)F-FDG PET tracer avid inoperable metastatic carcinoid received peptide receptor based radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with (177)Lu-DOTATATE. Repeat evaluation at 3 months post-therapy demonstrated stable disease with alleviation of patient's symptoms and remarkable improvement in the quality of life. PRRT with (177)Lu-DOTATATE may be an option for inoperable mediastinal carcinoids with superior mediastinal syndrome.

Long-term outcome and toxicity after dose-intensified treatment with 131I-MIBG for advanced metastatic carcinoid tumors.

UNLABELLED: Reported experience with systemic (131)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((131)I-MIBG) therapy of neuroendocrine tumors comprises different dosing schemes. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcome and toxicity of treatment with 11.1 GBq (300 mCi) of (131)I-MIBG per cycle. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 31 patients with advanced metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (20 with carcinoid tumors and 11 with other tumors) treated with (131)I-MIBG. Treatment outcome was analyzed for patients with carcinoid tumors (the most common tumors in this study), and toxicity was analyzed for the entire patient cohort (n = 31). Treatment comprised 11.1 GBq (300 mCi) per course and minimum intervals of 3 mo. The radiographic response was classified according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Toxicity was determined according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3.0) for all laboratory data at regular follow-up visits and during outpatient care, including complete blood counts and hepatic and renal function tests. Survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan-Meier curve method (log rank test; P < 0.05). RESULTS: The radiographic responses in patients with carcinoid tumors comprised a minor response in 2 patients (10%), stable disease in 16 patients (80%; median time to progression, 34 mo), and progressive disease in 2 patients (10%). The symptomatic responses in patients with functioning carcinoid tumors comprised complete resolution in 3 of the 11 evaluable symptomatic patients (27%), partial resolution in 6 patients (55%), and no significant change in 11 patients. The median overall survival in patients with carcinoid tumors was 47 mo (95% confidence interval, 32-62), and the median progression-free survival was 34 mo (95% confidence interval, 13-55). Relevant treatment toxicities were confined to transient myelosuppression of grade 3 or 4 in 15.3% (leukopenia) and 7.6% (thrombocytopenia) of applied cycles and a suspected late adverse event (3% of patients), myelodysplastic syndrome, after a cumulative administered activity of 66.6 GBq. The most frequent nonhematologic side effect was mild nausea (grade 1 or 2), which was observed in 28% of administered cycles. No hepatic or renal toxicities were noted. CONCLUSION: Dose-intensified treatment with (131)I-MIBG at a fixed dose of 11.1 GBq (300 mCi) per cycle is safe and offers effective palliation of symptoms and disease stabilization in patients with advanced carcinoid tumors. The favorable survival and limited toxicity suggest that high cycle activities are suitable and that this modality may be used for targeted carcinoid treatment--either as an alternative or as an adjunct to other existing therapeutic options.

[Neuroendocrine tumors: analysis of 252 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment status of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in our hospital. METHODS: Medical records of 252 patients with neuroendocrine tumors diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2009 were collected and retrospectively reviewed in this study. The clinicopathological data including age of onset, initial symptoms, primary site, pathological conditions (Sny, CgA, Ki-67), disease stage at diagnosis, treatment, and follow up were analyzed. RESULTS: The gender ratio M/F of the 252 cases was 1.9:1, with mean age of 55.2 years, and the high incidence was in age of 60-69 years. The tumors were located in the gastrointestinal tract (117 cases, 46.4%), broncho-pulmonary system (74 cases, 29.4%), other sites (61 cases, 24.2%) and unknown primary site (2 cases, 0.8%). Their first clinical symptoms vary, depending on the primary site. The common symptoms of primary rectal NETs were changes in bowel habits (29.3%) and diarrhea or constipation (17.5%), and most gastric NETs presented epigastric discomfort (86.4%). Most patients (71.4%) were diagnosed with stage I, II, III disease. Among the 252 cases, there were 110 carcinoids (43.7%), 108 neuroendocrine carcinomas (42.9%), 23 atypical carcinoids (9.1%), five neuroendocrine tumors (2.0%), four Merkel cell tumors (1.6%), and two composite carcinoids (0.8%). 206 patients (81.7%) received surgery, 39 (15.5%) received chemotherapy, and 31 cases (12.3%) were treated by palliative radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This single-center retrospective analysis of data demonstrated that males have a higher incidence rate than females. The most common primary sites of NETs are the digestive tract and lungs. The initial symptoms of NETs are different depending on their primary sites. Good prognosis can be achieved in the majority of patients after surgery, chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy.

Can C-arm cone-beam CT detect a micro-embolic effect after TheraSphere radioembolization of neuroendocrine and carcinoid liver metastasis?

RATIONAL AND OBJECTIVE: Radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres is a therapy that is used for hepatic tumors. 20-30 µm microspheres loaded with Y90 are supposedly occluding tumor vessels at the capillary level. Then, these spheres deliver high-dose radiation to the tumor. However, this theoretical embolic effect has never been appreciated in imaging. Dual-Phase cone-beam computed tomography (DPCBCT) is a multi-phasic intra-procedural scan that uses only one contrast media injection to visualize early (feeding vessel) and delayed (capillary level) tumor enhancement. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a micro-embolic effect induced by TheraSpheres® (MDS Nordion, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) at the capillary level by using DPCBCT imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 patients with 72 carcinoid or neuroendocrine tumors were treated with radioembolization, and all underwent DPCBCT (Allura Xper, Philips Healthcare) imaging before and immediately after radioembolization with TheraSpheres®. Tumor enhancement was measured in each phase by drawing a region of interest within the tumors. RESULTS: 72 tumors were evaluated: average tumor density in the early arterial phase was 241 and 230 Hounsfield units (HU) (p<0.001) before and after radioembolization, respectively; the average density in the delayed arterial phase was 226 and 161 HU (p<0.001) before and after radioembolization, respectively. Average difference in tumor attenuation before and after radioembolization in early arterial and delayed phase was 11 HU and 64 HU (p<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: The significant decrease in tumor enhancement in the DPCBCT delayed phase after TheraSpheres® injection indicates that there is an appreciable microembolic effect at the tumor capillary bed level.

68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in management of bilateral ovarian metastases from gastrointestinal carcinoid.

The management of neuroendocrine tumours is challenging when curative surgery is ruled out because of distant metastases. We report a case of gastrointestinal carcinoid with bilateral ovarian metastases in a 50-year-old female who received octreotide therapy followed by peptide receptor radionuclide therapy and surgery thereafter. Somatostatin receptor expression on neuroendocrine tumours has implications in diagnosis and therapy. (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET is a recent advancement in the field of somatostatin receptor imaging. The lesions which demonstrate tracer uptake on positron emission tomographic studies can be further planned for treatment with octreotide and (177)Lu-DOTA-TATE. The case in discussion responded well to non-invasive treatment options before proceeding to definitive surgical management.

¹¹¹In-DTPA°-octreotide (Octreoscan), ¹³¹I-MIBG and other agents for radionuclide therapy of NETs.

This paper is a critical review of the literature on NET radionuclide therapy with (111)In-DTPA(0)-octreotide (Octreoscan) and (131)I-MIBG, focusing on efficacy and toxicity. Some potential future applications and new candidate therapeutic agents are also mentioned. Octreoscan has been a pioneering agent for somatostatin receptor radionuclide therapy. It has achieved symptomatic responses and disease stabilization, but it is now outperformed by the corresponding ß-emitter agents (177)Lu-DOTATATE and (90)Y-DOTATOC. (131)I-MIBG is the radionuclide therapy of choice for inoperable or metastatic phaeochromocytomas/paragangliomas, which avidly concentrate this tracer via the noradrenaline transporter. Symptomatic, biochemical and tumour morphological response rates of 50-89%, 45-74% and 27-47%, respectively, have been reported. (131)I-MIBG is a second-line radiopharmaceutical for treatment of enterochromaffin carcinoids, mainly offering the benefit of amelioration of hormone-induced symptoms. High specific activity, non-carrier-added (131)I-MIBG and meta-astato((211)At)-benzylguanidine (MABG) are tracers with potential for enhanced therapeutic efficacy, yet their integration into clinical practice awaits further exploration. Amongst other promising agents, radiolabelled exendin analogues show potential for imaging and possibly therapy of insulinomas, while preclinical studies are currently evaluating DOTA peptides targeting the CCK-2/gastrin receptors that are overexpressed by medullary thyroid carcinoma cells.

A case report of metastatic atypical thymic carcinoid with ectopic ACTH production: locoregional control after adaptive radiation treatment.

Thymic carcinoid is an extremely rare malignancy. This tumor is often associated with endocrine disorders such as Cushing's syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and superior vena cava syndrome. We describe the case of a 44-year-old Italian woman with metastatic atypical thymic carcinoid secreting ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone who was treated with adaptive radiation therapy with a curative dose schedule for a symptomatic mediastinal tumor. After 22 months, the patient was in good clinical condition, presenting stable disease without any evidence of local or systemic progression. To our knowledge there are no previously reported data regarding radical radiotherapy in the treatment of thymic carcinoids.