The Use of Lanreotide Autogel® in the Treatment of Intestinal Obstruction in a Patient with Adenocarcinoma

Intestinal obstruction is a common complication in patients with advanced abdominal or pelvic cancer. The synthetic somatostatin analogue octreotide can help relieve nausea, vomiting and pain in patients with inoperable obstruction. Here, we report a case of recurrent intestinal obstruction in a patient with adenocarcinoma. Although the obstruction was resolved after 3 days of treatment with octreotide, new episodes of obstruction occurred, resulting in a delay of the chemotherapy treatment. After 3 episodes of obstruction, we initiated treatment with a longer-acting somatostatin analogue, lanreotide Autogel® 120 mg, administered once every 4 weeks. The treatment with lanreotide Autogel is being continued, allowing for continuation of the chemotherapy without further episodes of intestinal subocclusion or obstruction. Until November 2013, the patient received eighteen 4-weekly injections of lanreotide Autogel and did not report side effects. This case report demonstrates the successful treatment of intestinal obstruction with lanreotide Autogel in a patient with adenocarcinoma.