Prolonged survival in the setting of metastatic cecal carcinoid tumor treated with combined gemcitabine - carboplatin chemotherapy regimen

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are rare. They constitute approximately two-thirds of all carcinoid tumors. Numerous therapeutic modalities have been used to treat metastatic carcinoids, including hepatic artery embolization and chemoembolization, surgical resection, radio-frequency ablation, chemotherapy, and the use of Octreotide combined with interferon-alpha. We report a case of sustained symptomatic control in a patient with cecal carcinoid metastatic to the liver using a combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin (G&C). We believe that this case illustrates the potential clinical value of the G&C combination in the setting of metastatic gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor. Larger clinical trials will be required to fully elucidate the clinical efficacy and side effects of similar regimens. Cite as: Stawicki SP, Niewiarowska AA, Niewiarowski TJ. OPUS 12 Scientist 2007;1(1):11-13. Correspondence to: S. P. Stawicki, MD. OPUS 12 Foundation, 304 Monroe Blvd, King or Prussia, PA, 19406 USA.