Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and somatostatin analogs in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasia

Abstract

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which occurs in approximately 20% of the patients with GEP-NENs receiving SSAs octreotide and lanreotide, is an underestimated condition. The clinical picture of EPI in these patients may overlap with tumor-related symptoms and common direct SSAs’ side effects, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence. Early recognition of EPI is mandatory since it may negatively affect patients’ quality of life, nutritional status, and long-term clinical outcomes.

Topics & Concepts