P. Pujol et al., METASTATIC PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA WITH A LONG-TERM RESPONSE AFTER I-131 METAIODOBENZYLGUANIDINE THERAPY, European journal of nuclear medicine, 22(4), 1995, pp. 382-384
Iodine-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine ([I-131] MIBG), a radiopharmaceutic
al agent, is used for treating malignant phaeochromocytoma. [I-131]MIB
G therapy results in a hormone response rate of approximately 50%, but
generally it yields only a partial or no tumour response, We present
a case of a 46-year-old woman with a familial history of von Hippel-Li
ndau disease, who was treated with [I-131]MIBG for a metastatic phaeoc
hromocytoma involving the lungs, liver and bones, The patient received
a cumulative dose of 33.3 GBq (900 mCi) and a complete hormone respon
se was observed, as evaluated on the basis of catecholamine and metane
phrine levels, Conventional radiography, computerized tomography and [
I-131]MIBG scintigraphy indicated that a near-complete tumour regressi
on was achieved, with no evidence of relapse during a dr-year follow-u
p period. This case thus demonstrates that treatment with [I-131]MIBG
may lead to a dramatic tumour response in malignant phaeochromocytoma
presenting both soft tissue and bone metastases.