Hepatic artery embolization for treatment of the carcinoid syndrome

In two patients with carcinoid syndrome and liver metastases embolization of the hepatic arteries was successful. In one case re-embolization was accomplished after one year. Embolization was followed by diminuation of serotonin-metabolites in the urine. The clinical symptoms improved, resulting in better quality of the patients lives. Embolization is to be preferred to application of systemic cytotoxic medication in cases of carcinoid syndrome with disseminated liver metastases.