New Developments in Carcinoid Tumors

• The most important advance in recent years has been the use of long-acting Sandostatin (Sandostatin LAR). This medication can be either used alone (monotherapy) or along with interferon alpha. The use of the Octreoscan to localize carcinoid tumors is also an important recent advance.

• Researchers are evaluating the potential use of radioiodide treatment after sodium iodide gene transfer for the treatment of carcinoid tumors.

• Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery for resection of gastric carcinoid tumors has recently been reported to be safe and effective by researchers in Japan.

• Researchers are continuing to search for new drugs to block serotonin production in carcinoid tumors. One of the newer chemotherapeutic compounds that shows promise against serotonin-producing tumors in 7-hydroxytryptophan.

• The results of a recently published study conducted in Europe suggest that tobacco smoking is a risk factor for small bowel carcinoids.