Control of chemotherapy-induced diarrhea with octreotide. A randomized trial with
placebo in patients receiving cisplatin.
Author(s): Cascinu S(1), Fedeli A, Fedeli SL, Catalano G.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Servizio di Oncologia, Ospedali Riuniti, Pesaro, Italy.
Publication date & source: 1994, Oncology. , 51(1):70-3
Cisplatin-related diarrhea is a relatively common complication in the clinical
management of cancer patients and until now no treatment for this condition has
been identified. Octreotide has been reported effective in the treatment of
5-fluorouracil-related diarrhea. To assess the safety and efficacy of octreotide
in controlling diarrhea caused by cisplatin, 43 patients who had already had
diarrhea during the 24-hour period following a previous cisplating administration
were randomized to receive either octreotide or placebo during the next cisplatin
course. The patients given octreotide experienced less diarrhea (5 vs. 75%, p =
0.01). There were no side effects. We conclude that octreotide is more effective
than placebo in controlling diarrhea following cisplatin chemotherapy.
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