Evaluating the characteristics and the management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors receiving octreotide LAR during a 6-year period.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study evaluated physician practice patterns in the medical management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) treated with octreotide LAR.

METHODS: Data were collected from the medical charts of 392 patients diagnosed with NET and treated with octreotide LAR for 4 months or longer.

RESULTS: Approximately 72% (n = 284) of patients had metastatic disease with carcinoid syndrome (CS). Of these, 92% (n = 260) had CS at diagnosis and 8% (n = 24) developed CS after diagnosis. Of the patients studied, 89% received octreotide LAR, and the most common octreotide LAR doses were 30 mg (45% of all regimens), 20 mg (32%), and 40 mg (11%). After 12 months of treatment with octreotide LAR, symptom resolution or improvement was seen in 60%, 48%, 48%, and 30% of patients with flushing, diarrhea, bronchoconstriction, and carcinoid heart disease, respectively. Approximately 57% of patients treated with octreotide LAR demonstrated stable disease; with rates of 57% at 20 mg, 57% at 30 mg, 55% at 40 mg, and 50% at 60 mg.

CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study has added to the wealth of evidence demonstrating the efficacy and safety of octreotide LAR in the treatment of patients with NET. The review highlights the importance of regular patient monitoring and clinical management.