Vapreotide,a new somatostatin analogue in the palliative management of obstructive ileus in advanced cancer

Obstructive ileus is not common, but is a very distressing syndrome in a palliative care unit. The case of a 86-year-old woman with obstructive ileus due to advanced pancreatic cancer is presented. Successful management was made possible by a new somatostatin analogue (Vapreotide), administered i.m. at weekly intervals. Vapreotide was found to reduce nausea and vomiting considerably, by inhibiting the release and action of gastrointestinal hormones and the secretory and motor functions of stomach and intestines. The role of somatostatin analogues in the management of obstructive ileus in advanced cancer is discussed.