Six-month preoperative octreotide treatment in unselected, de novo patients with acromegaly: effect on biochemistry, tumour volume, and postoperative cure.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment with somatostatin analogues is the primary medical treatment of acromegaly. Controversies still exist whether acute octreotide effect predicts long-term biochemical effects, tumour regression or surgical cure. This prospective study investigates effect of 6-month treatment with octreotide long-acting repeatable (LAR) on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH) levels, pituitary function, tumour regression and postoperative cure in de novo acromegalic patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: After a baseline evaluation including fasting hormone levels, MRI scan and an acute 50 µg octreotide test, 32 patients were treated with octreotide LAR 20 mg every 28th day for 6 months before surgery. Treatment effects on IGF-1 and GH levels, serum hormone levels and tumour volume were monitored. Surgical cure was evaluated 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean tumour volume reduction was 35%, in one-third of the patients more than 50%, while approximately one-third achieved biochemical remission evaluated by normalized IGF-1 levels. The GH reduction following an acute octreotide test was 81 ± 19% and associated with long-term GH reduction (r = 0·78, P < 0·0005). However, neither acute (r = 0·29, P = 0·12) nor the long-term octreotide effect (r = 0·11, P = 0·58) on GH levels was associated with tumour volume reduction and did not predict subsequent surgical cure. CONCLUSION: Six months of long-acting octreotide using a fixed dose, 1/3 of the patients came in biochemical remission, while 2/3 had significant tumour reduction. Moreover, an acute effect of octreotide seemed to be a prerequisite for long-term effect.

Preoperative octreotide treatment in newly diagnosed acromegalic patients with macroadenomas increases cure short-term postoperative rates: a prospective, randomized trial.

CONTEXT: Surgery is the primary treatment of acromegaly. However, it often fails to cure the patient. New strategies that improve surgical outcome are needed. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate whether 6-month preoperative treatment with octreotide improves the surgical outcome in newly diagnosed acromegalic patients. PATIENTS: During a 5-yr period (1999-2004), all newly diagnosed acromegalic patients between 18 and 80 yr of age in Norway were screened and invited to participate in the study. A total of 62 patients was included in the Preoperative Octreotide Treatment of Acromegaly study. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: After a baseline evaluation, patients were randomized directly to transsphenoidal surgery (n = 30) or pretreatment with octreotide (n = 32) 20 mg im every 28th day for 6 months before transsphenoidal surgery. Cure was evaluated 3 months postoperatively primarily by IGF-I levels. RESULTS: According to the IGF-I criteria, 14 of 31 (45%) pretreated patients vs. seven of 30 (23%) patients with direct surgery were cured by surgery (P = 0.11). In patients with microadenomas (< or = 10 mm), one of five (20%) pretreated vs. three of five (60%) with direct surgery were cured (P = 0.52). In patients with macroadenomas, 13 of 26 (50%) pretreated vs. four of 25 (16%) with direct surgery were cured (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Six-month preoperative octreotide treatment might improve surgical cure rate in newly diagnosed acromegalic patients with macroadenomas. These results have to be confirmed in future studies.

[Endogenous Cushing's syndrome]. / Endogent Cushings syndrom.

BACKGROUND: Untreated endogenous Cushing's syndrome is a serious condition with high morbidity and mortality. New diagnostic procedures make today's assessment more accurate. We describe which tests should be done when there is suspicion of the syndrome. Treatment options are mentioned. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The paper is based on current international literature and reflects the experience of the authors. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: Endogenous Cushing's syndrome is caused by elevated cortisol levels. The reason can be overproduction of ACTH or an adrenocortical pathology. It should be considered when combinations of symptoms like central obesity, proximal muscle weakness, striae and menstrual irregularities are seen. Osteoporosis and impotence are other important symptoms. Diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome is often challenging. Measurement of urinary free cortisol or overnight dexamethasone suppression test has usually been performed initially. Midnight salivary cortisol seems promising as an alternative. The final diagnosis is often made after a combined evaluation of dynamic tests. The first-line treatment of endogenous Cushing's syndrome is surgery.