Somatostatin is a hormone made by the body. It controls the release of other hormones, including the ones that control the emptying of the stomach and bowel.

Somatostatin analogues are medications that are like our body’s natural somatostatin.

They can be used:

• to reduce down the amount of hormones made and released by some NETs
• to slow down the growth of a NET that is advanced or has metastasised.

Somatostatin analogues are particularly useful for NETs which make excessive amounts of hormones that cause a group of symptoms known as carcinoid syndrome. These symptoms include:

• diarrhoea
• facial flushing
• wheezing
• shortness of breath
• heart problems.

Somatostatin analogues can be given:

• as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous)
• as an injection into a muscle (intramuscular).