The palliative effects of octreotide in malignant disease.

Octreotide is a synthetic analogue of somatostatin with a longer half-life than the native peptide. It has been used extensively in a variety of clinical settings for some years. More recently, its uses in malignant disease processes have been studied and it is proving to be an excellent addition to the palliative care pharmacy. We look at the current uses of octreotide for the palliation of malignant disease with particular emphasis on inoperable malignant bowel obstruction. Octreotide may palliate nausea and vomiting in this distressing condition when other therapies fail. Octreotide may also control severe diarrhoea and help in the closure of fistulae from benign and malignant conditions. It has unique analgesic properties. Radio-labelled isotopes of octreotide may be used to image some tumours. Recently, it has also shown potential in anti-cancer treatment.