Skull Base 2002; 12(2): 053-058
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-31566
CASE REPORT

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Somatostatin Therapy for Glomus Tumors: A Report of Two Cases

M. A. Rafferty, R. M. Walsh, M. A. Walsh
  • Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Publication History

Publication Date:
18 May 2004 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Glomus tumors of the head and neck are benign vascular lesions that often provide dilemmas in management. The presence of somatostatin receptors on the tumor cell surface has facilitated an additional imaging technique in the form of radiolabeled octreotide scanning. The use of the somatostatin analogue, octreotide, also provides a therapeutic option for inoperable or recurrent tumors. We present two patients, one with a surgically inaccessible tumor that recurred after primary radiotherapy and one who underwent incomplete resection because of the tumor's proximity to the internal carotid artery. Neither tumor has shown further growth 5 and 3 years after treatment with octreotide, respectively.

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