Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction/Background: Somatostatin analogue injections are a mainstay for the treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumours. Gallstones are a known adverse effect of this treatment. PRRT can bring extra complications for patients having an episode of cholecystitis, biliary colic, cholangitis or pancreatitis.

Aims: To examine a cohort of patients undergoing PRRT, looking for the incidence of gallstones and how many patients suffered gallstones related symptoms during the treatment period. To see what treatment was needed and what effect this had on the course of PRRT.

Material and Methods: The electronic records of all patients who completed four cycles of PRRT from 2020 to early 2023 were examined. There were 51 patients who fitted these criteria. Details of previous cholecystectomy, current presence of gallstones and any history of symptomatic gallstone episodes were collected. Details of episodes around the time of PRRT with any hospital stay, interventions or medical therapies were also collected.

Results: Of these 51 patients receiving four Cycles of PRRT 10 patients had a cholecystectomy prior to treatment, often as part of pancreatic or liver resection. A further 34 did not have gallstones on imaging. Seven patients had gallstones. Three patients were admitted to hospital and required medical or interventional management during the period of their treatment. Two of these happened just after Cycle 4, the third required stenting but did not need a cycle to be delayed. Two had an episode of cholecystitis that was self-limiting or did not require hospitalisation. A further two had previous episodes of cholecystitis, now quiescent.

Conclusions: Patients with known gallstones may be at extra risk of an episode of pain or jaundice requiring medical or interventional therapy during the course of PRRT. This may have an impact on the timing of the planned PRRT and have implications for hospital care if close to the time of a treatment due to radiation precaution restrictions.