Name of the Procedure:

Injection, lanreotide, 1 mg
Common name(s): Lanreotide injection
Technical/Medical term: Somatostatin Analog Injection

Summary

Lanreotide is a medication given via injection to help treat certain types of hormonal disorders, most notably acromegaly, which results from excess growth hormone. This medication works by reducing the levels of certain hormones in the body.

Purpose

Medical conditions addressed:

• Acromegaly
• Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs)

Goals/expected outcomes:

• Decrease in hormone levels, particularly growth hormone
• Reduction in tumor size or growth inhibition
• Relief of symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance

Indications

Specific symptoms/conditions:

• Excess growth hormone causing unusual growth or enlargement of body parts
• Symptoms related to neuroendocrine tumors, such as flushing, diarrhea, or abdominal pain

Patient criteria:

• Diagnosed with acromegaly
• Diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors of certain types

Preparation

Pre-procedure instructions:

• No specific dietary restrictions
• Continue regular medications unless advised otherwise by the healthcare provider
• Discuss any allergies or current medications with the healthcare team

Diagnostic tests:

• Blood tests to measure hormone levels
• Imaging studies like MRI or CT scans to locate and size tumors

Procedure Description

Step-by-step explanation:

1. The patient will be seated or lying down in a comfortable position.
2. A healthcare professional will choose an appropriate injection site, commonly the upper outer quadrant of the buttock, and clean the area with an antiseptic solution.
3. Lanreotide is given as a deep subcutaneous injection using a pre-filled syringe.
4. After the injection, the healthcare provider will apply slight pressure to the site to minimize bruising.

Tools/equipment used:

• Pre-filled syringe containing lanreotide

Anesthesia/sedation:

• Typically, no anesthesia or sedation is required; the injection site may be numbed with a topical anesthetic if necessary.

Duration

The procedure itself typically takes about 5-10 minutes.

Setting

This injection is usually administered in an outpatient setting such as a hospital, clinic, or a doctor's office.

Personnel

The procedure is usually carried out by a trained nurse or a doctor.

Risks and Complications

Common risks:

• Pain or discomfort at the injection site
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Rare risks:

• Allergic reaction
• Infection at the injection site
• Pancreatitis

Management of complications:

• Monitoring and symptomatic treatment
• Immediate medical attention for severe allergic reactions

Benefits

Expected benefits:

• Improved management of hormonal disorders
• Relief from symptoms associated with excess hormone production
• Potential tumor shrinkage or inhibited growth

Timeline for benefits:

• Patients may start seeing symptom relief within a few weeks to months.

Recovery

Post-procedure care:

• Monitor the injection site for signs of infection or adverse reaction
• Maintain regular follow-up appointments to assess hormone levels and treatment efficacy

Expected recovery time:

• No downtime required; patients can resume normal activities immediately after the injection

Follow-up:

• Regular blood tests to monitor hormone levels
• Periodic imaging studies to assess tumor progress

Alternatives

Other treatment options:

• Surgery to remove tumors
• Other medications such as octreotide
• Radiation therapy

Pros and cons of alternatives:

• Surgery may provide more immediate results but carries higher risks and longer recovery
• Other medications may have different side effect profiles
• Radiation is typically reserved for cases where other treatments are not effective

Patient Experience

During the procedure:

• Mild discomfort or stinging sensation at the injection site
• Minimal pain

After the procedure:

• Minor soreness at the injection site
• Patients should experience a gradual improvement in symptoms
• Pain management with over-the-counter analgesics if needed