Neuroendocrine tumors with syndromic vasoactive intestinal polypeptide hypersecretion: a retrospective study

Aim: Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide producing neuroendocrine tumors are rare and cause severe hormonal symptoms. Patients/methods: Eighteen patients with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide producing neuroendocrine tumors were analyzed with reviews of medical records, radiology and tumor tissue specimens. Results: Twelve patients (67%) had liver metastases at diagnosis. Chemotherapy, somatostatin analogs and interferon were given as medical therapies. Streptozocin/5-fluorouracil produced an objective response in 40% of the evaluable patients. Somatostatin analogs gave a clinical/biochemical response in eight out of nine patients. Transarterial embolization of the liver and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy was given to refractory cases. Sixteen patients died during the observation period. The median overall survival from diagnosis was 102 months. Conclusion: Systemic chemotherapy and somatostatin analogs should be given in cases of advanced disease or for hormonal symptoms.