Results of continuous long term intravenous application of octreotide via an implantable pump system in acromegaly resistent to operative and X-ray therapy

Long term results after surgery for growth hormone (GH)-secreting adenomas indicate only a limited cure rate, particularly in patients with tumours invading the durai boundaries of the sella with suprasellar extension. Since octreotide had become a treatment option, it was used i.v. via an implantable pump system in five patients (age range 24–46 yr) showing symptoms of uncontrolled acromegaly, in spite of previous surgery and X-ray therapy. The octreotide doses used permanently for a cumulative treatment period of 8.8 yr ranged between 300 and 1000 uμg/24 h.