There are many types of cells throughout the body. Some of these cells are called neuroendocrine cells. These cells are unique because they can affect the nervous system and the endocrine system.
The nervous system helps to send signals out across nerve pathways that control things like movement. For example, when you need to lift your arm, there is a signal traveling from your brain along nerve pathways to your arm, triggering movement.
The endocrine system helps to regulate hormones in your body. Hormones also send messages throughout your body telling your body to perform certain functions. For example, when food needs to move through your digestive system, a hormone called serotonin is released into the body and signals the digestive tract to become active.
These 2 very special systems work together to keep your body functioning regularly. If the cells of the neuroendocrine system (neuroendocrine cells) start to grow out of control or develop into cancer, they can lead to serious medical problems. Neuroendocrine tumors are one of these complications.
Neuroendocrine tumors are commonly referred to as carcinoid tumors in the United States. These tumors can be either benign or malignant. Carcinoid tumors can occur in different parts of the body including the rectum, lungs, pancreas, colon, and liver, but 67% of carcinoid tumors occur in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract includes the stomach, and the small and large intestines (see figure below).2-4
Approximately 2500 new patients are diagnosed with carcinoid tumors in the United States every year, and this number is on the rise.3
Carcinoid tumors will often grow very slowly and can go undiagnosed for years. In fact, it can take anywhere from 5 to 7 years before an accurate diagnosis is determined. These types of tumors are very hard to find, and sometimes a doctor will actually discover a carcinoid tumor by accident during a routine appendectomy or GI endoscopy.4,5
Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is indicated for long-term treatment of the severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors and for the long-term treatment of the profuse watery diarrhea associated with VIP-secreting tumors in patients in whom initial treatment with immediate release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection has been shown to be effective and tolerated.
Important Safety Information
As with immediate release Sandostatin® Injection, the most frequently reported drug-related adverse events were biliary disorders (62%), gastrointestinal disorders (14% to 38%), and injection-site pain (20% to 50%). Hypoglycemia (4%), hyperglycemia (27%), sinus bradycardia (19%), conduction abnormalities (9%), and arrhythmias (3%) have been reported.
The controlled clinical trials that support the marketing clearance for Sandostatin® LAR Depot did not include determination of effect on tumor size or rate of growth. Sandostatin® LAR Depot is not indicated for tumor shrinkage. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
