Group: Sandostatin
What does the OctreoScan test show?
The OctreoScan is a test which images 85% of carcinoid tumors but is not the best way to show their growth. It does indicate the potential usefulness of Sandostatin (octreotide) treatment when a tumor lights up on the OctreoScan.…
READ MOREWhat is an OctreoScan?
An OctreoScan is fairly straightforward. While it cannot give an indication as to tumor size, it can indicate the extent of disease metastasis and show possible loci for tumors which may or may not have been suspected. Essentially what happens is this:…
READ MORECan you provide some suggestions about the preferred use of OctreoScans?
An OctreoScan can very occasionally show a carcinoid before CT scan or chemistries indicate its presence, but this situation is very infrequent. Visually it is used to help locate a tumor when chemistries show it is present and CT scan doesn’t image…
READ MOREHow does Sandostatin work in conjunction with chemotherapy?
Sandostatin when given in large doses (if OctreoScan is positive) along with alpha interferon (with which it works synergistically) causes tumor regression in 2/3 of the cases.…
READ MOREDoes Sandostatin inhibit or reverse the growth of carcinoid tumors?
Here are a few medical references dealing with the issue of efficacy of octreotide in control of tumor growth and/or reduction. There are more, but these are the initial ones that come to mind plus the 2009 published study. Feel free to print this article…
READ MOREYou, Dr. Warner, and Dr. Woltering prescribe different dosages of Sandostatin – what the pros and cons of each approach?
Dr. Woltering stands somewhat alone in his use of huge doses of Sandostatin. Based on his research observations he feels that very large doses inhibit carcinoid tumor cell growth whereas conventional doses inhibit hormone production, release and effect…
READ MOREDoes Sandostatin cause carcinoid tumors to reduce production of their chemicals?
Sandostatin works in both ways.…
READ MOREHow does the pump work with Sandostatin?
The pump is a device in wide use for diabetics who need insulin. It usually is an elastic plastic ball which is filled with medicine under pressure and as it contracts very slowly it squeezes out the medicine slowly at a steady rate into a small plastic catheter…
READ MOREWhat are the side effects of Sandostatin?
15% of carcinoid patients cannot tolerate Sandostatin and it will not help them. There are additional medicines available which sometimes can make the Sandostatin tolerable or work. However, in some cases it must be abandoned and other forms of treatment…
READ MOREDo you believe that foods containing xanthines or theobromine, such as coffee, interfere with Sandostatin?
Xanthines and theobromines, as well as various foods and wines, contain substances that are provocative for carcinoid crisis and hence can interfere with the effectiveness of Sandostatin. I do agree with Dr. Woltering in recommending carcinoid patients…
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