Malignant islet cell tumor of the pancreas with multiple liver metastases effectively treated by transcatheter arterial embolization with degradable starch microspheres--a case report

• Published in: Gan to kagaku ryoho Vol. 27; no. 12; p. 1936
• Main Authors: Takahashi, H, Tono, T, Matsushita, M, Yasue, A, Okada, K, Hata, T, Kano, T, Iwazawa, T, Matsui, S, Nakano, Y, Yano, H, Kinuta, M, Okamura, J, Monden, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan 01-10-2000
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - administration & dosage; Carcinoma, Islet Cell - secondary; Carcinoma, Islet Cell - therapy; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; Cisplatin - administration & dosage; Epirubicin - administration & dosage; Female; Humans; Iodized Oil - administration & dosage; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Liver Neoplasms - therapy; Microspheres; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Neoplasms - pathology; Starch - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0385-0684

A 57-year-old woman underwent distal pancreatectomy for malignant islet cell tumor of the pancreas in 1991. One year later, multiple liver metastases appeared. Although three transcatheter arterial embolizations (TAE) with spongel and nine ethanol injections were performed over seven years, the tumors were growing gradually. Therefore, TAE with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) was selected. Under angiography, TAE of the left hepatic artery was done using 900 mg of DSM following injection of Farumorubicin (20 mg), Lipiodol (3 ml) and cisplatin (90 mg). The tumors in the embolized hepatic area were remarkably decreased in size, and satisfactory local control was obtained. Thereafter, TAE with DSM was carried out twice, and she is still living with outpatient treatment. Thus, it is suggested that TAE with DSM could be a promising, alternative therapeutic modality for liver metastases from malignant islet cell tumor of the pancreas.