The therapeutic challenge of a nonresectable solitary fibrous tumor in a hypoglycemic patient

Int J Clin Oncol. 2006 Dec;11(6):478-81. doi: 10.1007/s10147-006-0606-1. Epub 2006 Dec 25.

Abstract

We report a patient with a nonresectable histologically benign solitary fibrous tumor who suffered from paraneoplastic non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH). Diagnostic workup revealed malignant characteristics in which the tumor showed up as, presumably, false-negative on fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), while being positive on tyrosine-PET. Neoadjuvant treatment, which consisted of combined chemo-radiation and consecutive selective embolization of the tumor feeding vessels, caused such a therapeutic effect, on both NICTH and reduction in tumor volume, that a secondary resection, with the patient in a normoglycemic status, was possible. Our report highlights several important issues in the management of the patient with a nonresectable solitary fibrous tumor with severe episodes of hypoglycemia due to NICTH.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / diagnosis
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology*
  • Hypoglycemia / therapy
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / metabolism
  • Male
  • Neoadjuvant Therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Fibrous Tissue / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor II