Medical College of Wisconsin
CTSIResearch InformaticsREDCap

Selective arterial chemoembolization for hepatic metastases from medullary thyroid carcinoma. Surgery 2005 Dec;138(6):986-93; discussion 993

Date

12/20/2005

Pubmed ID

16360382

DOI

10.1016/j.surg.2005.09.020

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-29144439756 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   57 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hepatic metastases from medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) may impair quality of life by hypercalcitonemia-associated diarrhea and pain. In this prospective study, the effect of selective arterial chemoembolization (SACE) was evaluated.

METHODS: Eleven patients with hepatic metastases from MTC received 1 to 9 courses of SACE using epirubicine. Symptomatic, biochemical, and morphologic responses on SACE were recorded.

RESULTS: Symptomatic response was observed in all symptomatic patients. However, biochemical and radiologic response occurred only in 6 patients. Liver function was not affected by SACE. One patient with unexpected concurrent pheochromocytoma metastases died after the first course. Development of side effects in the course was observed in 8 patients but were only World Health Organization grade 1. Patients' satisfaction with SACE was excellent. Long-term follow-up found 7 patients alive (1-72 months). Three patients died with tumor 6, 12, and 24 months after SACE, respectively.

CONCLUSION: SACE provided good symptom palliation for the majority of patients with hepatic metastases from MTC. However, transient remission or stabilization of hepatic metastases resulted in only 60%. Further studies using a randomized protocol are required.

Author List

Lorenz K, Brauckhoff M, Behrmann C, Sekulla C, Ukkat J, Brauckhoff K, Gimm O, Dralle H

Author

Douglas B. Evans MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin




MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
Carcinoma, Medullary
Chemoembolization, Therapeutic
Epirubicin
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Liver Neoplasms
Male
Middle Aged
Palliative Care
Prospective Studies
Thyroid Neoplasms
Treatment Outcome