American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Which treatment option may be given to neuroendocrine tumors that display somatostatin receptors and are symptomatic?

1. Palliation therapy

2. Surgical resection

3. Somatostatin analogues such as octreotide or lanreotide

4. Conventional chemotherapy

The correct answer is: Somatostatin analogues such as octreotide or lanreotide

For neuroendocrine tumors that exhibit somatostatin receptors and are symptomatic, the use of somatostatin analogues such as octreotide or lanreotide is a well-established treatment option. These agents work by binding to the somatostatin receptors on the tumor cells, leading to inhibition of hormone secretion and slowing tumor growth. The symptomatic relief provided by these analogues is particularly significant in managing symptoms associated with hormone overproduction, which is common in these tumors. Somatostatin analogues also have a role in the palliation of symptoms like flushing and diarrhea, both of which can arise from neuroendocrine tumors. Moreover, they can be utilized in a therapeutic context to control the tumor's progression, as they can also induce tumor shrinkage in some patients. While palliation therapy can be supportive in the management of symptoms, it is not specifically targeted as a treatment option for the underlying tumor itself. Surgical resection may be appropriate in cases where the tumor is localized and resectable, but this is not applicable if the tumors are widespread or symptomatic, which is why somatostatin analogues are a more suitable option in this scenario. Conventional chemotherapy may not be effective for neuroendocrine tumors, as