Octreotide therapy in a patient with lung microcytoma

Abstract

We report the case of a 51-year-old woman with limited Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Cytological diagnosis has been made by fibroscopy. Chemotherapy schedule was cisplatin 30 mg/mq and VP-16 100 mg/mq days 1,2,3 q21 as first line treatment. The serum levels of cromogranine A and NSE (Neuron-Specific Enolase) were higher than normal; for this reason we prescribed, together with chemotherapy, octreotide LAR 30 mg every 28 days. Associated toxicity was easily manageable. Subsequent thoracic and panencefalic prophylactic radiotherapy improved tumour response and quality of life. We continued octreotide LAR 30 mg every 28 days even after the end of chemotherapy, as a maintenance therapy, checking periodically serum levels of NSE and cromogranine A. No side effects were observed.