Question

A 63-year-old man with a past medical history of hyperlipidemia presents with an 8-month history of intermittent flushing and warmth sensation to his face and neck areas, alternating watery, frothy, and bulky stools associated with steatorrhea, weight loss, and wheezing. His urine demonstrated increased 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA) levels. He had subsequently been referred for an octreotide scintigraphy, which revealed innumerable foci of intense activity scattered throughout the liver.

What agent is highly effective at reducing symptoms?

1. Sandostatin (Octreotide)
2. Danocrine (Danazol)
3. Cytarabine (Depocyt)
4. Imatinib (Gleevec)
5. Gemcitabine (Gemzar)

Answer 1

The appropriate agent for reducing symptoms in a patient with carcinoid syndrome is Sandostatin (Octreotide).

Step-by-step explanation:

The 63-year-old man with a past medical history of hyperlipidemia is presenting with symptoms consistent with carcinoid syndrome, including intermittent flushing, watery stools, weight loss, and wheezing. The elevated levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA) in his urine confirm the diagnosis. Carcinoid syndrome is commonly associated with neuroendocrine tumors, which can be found in various parts of the body, including the liver.

The agent that is highly effective at reducing symptoms in cases of carcinoid syndrome is Sandostatin (Octreotide). Octreotide is a synthetic analogue of somatostatin, a hormone that inhibits the release of gastrointestinal hormones, including serotonin, which is elevated in carcinoid syndrome. By reducing hormone secretion, octreotide helps alleviate the symptoms of flushing, diarrhea, and wheezing.