Response of Thyrotropin-Secreting Pituitary Adenomas to a Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogue

Abstract

Thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas are aggressive, invasive tumors that respond poorly to available surgical and medical treatments. Inappropriate release of thyrotropin by these tumors can result in hyperthyroidism. We treated five patients who had thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenomas with the long-acting somatostatin analogue SMS 201–995, which was administered by subcutaneous injection in doses of 50 to 100 μg every 8 to 12 hours.