68ga-dotanoc and Neuroendocrine-Tumors

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (PNETs) are rare neoplasms, sporadic or familial, even being part of a syndrome. Their diagnosis is based on symptoms, hormonal disorders or may be fortuitous. The role of Nuclear Medicine is important, mainly because of the possibility of a theranostic strategy. This approach is allowed by the availability of biochemical agents, which may be labeled with radionuclides suitable for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, showing almost identical pharmacokinetics. The major role for radiopharmaceuticals is connected with radiolabeled Somatostatin Analogues (SSA), since somatostatin receptors are highly expressed on some of the neoplastic cell types.. Nowadays, in the category of radiolabeled SSA, although 111In-pentetreotide, firstly commercially proposed, is still used, the best choice for diagnosis is related to the so called DOTAPET radiotracers labeled with 68-Gallium (Ga), such as 68Ga-DOTATATE, 68Ga-DOTANOC, and 68Ga-DOTATOC. More recently, labeling with 64-Copper (Cu) (64Cu-DOTATATE) has also been proposed. In this review, we discuss the clinical interest of a SAA (Tektrotyd©) radiolabeled with 99mTc, a gamma emitter with better characteristics, with respect to 111Indium, radiolabeling Octreoscan ©. By comparing both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Octreoscan©, Tektrotyd© and PET DOTA-peptides, on the basis of literature data and of our own experience, we tried to highlight these topics to stimulate further studies, individuating actual clinical indications for all of these radiotracers.. In our opinion, Tektrotyd© could already find its applicative dimension in the daily practice of NETs, either pancreatic or not, at least in centers without a PET/CT or a 68Ga generator. Because of wider availability, a lower cost, and a longer decay, compared with respect to peptides labeled with 68Ga, it could be also proposed, in a theranostic context, for a dosimetry evaluation of patients undergoing Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT), and for non-oncologic indications of radiolabelled SSA. In this direction, and for a more rigorous cost/effective evaluation, more precisely individuating its clinical role, further studies are needed.

Topics: Animals; Gamma Rays; Humans; Mice; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Octreotide; Organometallic Compounds; Organotechnetium Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Peptides; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radioisotopes; Radiopharmaceuticals; Somatostatin; Technetium

Gallium-68 somatostatin receptor positron emission tomography (PET) has been used in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). The compounds often used in molecular imaging of NETs with PET are 68Ga-DOTATOC, 68Ga-DOTATATE, and 68Ga-DOTANOC. There is varying affinity to different somatostatin receptors.. To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data regarding the diagnostic role of 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET in the diagnosis of NETs.. A comprehensive literature search of studies published through 30 April 2013 regarding 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET in the diagnosis of NETs was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET in the diagnosis of NETs were calculated. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was calculated to measure the accuracy of 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET in the diagnosis of NETs.. Ten studies comprising 416 patients with NETs were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity of 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET in the diagnosis of NETs calculated on a per-patient-based analysis was 93% (95% confidence interval [CI] 89-96%) and 96% (95% CI 91-99%). The pooled specificity of 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET in diagnosing NETs was 85% (95% CI 74-93%) and 100% (95% CI 82-100%). The area under the ROC curve of 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET was 0.96 and 0.98, respectively, on a per-patient-based analysis.. The molecular imaging agents 68Ga-DOTATOC and 68Ga-DOTATATE demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of NETs on PET scan. Although both are accurate tools in the diagnosis of NETs, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET may be more sensitive and specific than 68Ga-DOTATOC PET scan.

Topics: Humans; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography

This review compiles and analyzes the available dosimetry data of [(68)Ga] labeled compounds. Dosimetry data are given for [(68)Ga]DOTA-NOC, TOC, TATE, and NODAGA-RGDyK. The number of PET-scans with [(68)Ga]DOTA-compounds for imaging neuroendocrine tumors is increasing because [(68)Ga] has a higher affinity to somatostatin receptors (SSTR) in comparison to comparable [(111)In]-compounds. In addition, the better image resolution of the PET images provides improved diagnostics. Despite its widespread use literature on dosimetry of [(68)Ga]-labeled radiopharmaceuticals is sparse. In some cases the description of the underlying methodology is missing or human data are gained from the extrapolation of animal experiments. More and better documented dosimetry data will further promote the use of these promising new agents.

Topics: Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Octreotide; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiometry; Radiopharmaceuticals

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are slow-growing indolent tumors that often present with metastatic disease at the outset. They commonly metastasize to lymph nodes, liver, bone, and lungs. However, metastasis to other rare sites may occur. It is important to have clear knowledge of unusual NET metastatic sites because their presence may lead to a more directed investigation. Also, it will be helpful in ruling out incidental second malignancies that might be encountered. The objective of this pictorial article was to provide an illustrative tutorial showing the clinical utility of Ga-labeled somatostatin analog [1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid]-1-NaI3-octreotide (Ga-DOTANOC) PET/CT for imaging usual and unusual metastatic sites in patients with NETs.

Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Multimodal Imaging; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Tissue Distribution

In the past few years, the introduction of novel PET tracers labelled with (68)Ga has changed the diagnostic approach to neuroendocrine tumours (NET) in specialized centres. Although somatostatin analogue tracers labelled with (111)In have represented the gold standard imaging modality for NET detection in past decades, the advantages offered by both labelling somatostatin analogues with (68)Ga and using PET/CT tomography for image acquisition, account for the increasing use of these tracers in clinical practice. There are an increasing number of reports of the higher accuracy of (68)Ga-DOTA peptide PET/CT for the detection of NET lesions as compared to morphological imaging procedures and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. Moreover, the use of (68)Ga-DOTA peptides offers the possibility to noninvasively evaluate NET cells for the presence of somatostatin receptor expression, with direct therapeutic implications. Several practical advantages also favour the use of (68)Ga-DOTA peptides including the relatively easy and economic synthesis process and the fact that (68)Ga labelling can be performed in centres without an on-site cyclotron. We describe the advantages and limitations of (68)Ga-DOTA peptide PET/CT imaging for the assessment of gastroenteropancreatic NET referring to the available literature as well as to our experience, and finally highlight potential future perspectives.

Topics: Digestive System Neoplasms; Gallium Radioisotopes; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; Humans; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Peptides; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

In the present review article we presented the major technical innovations regarding the diagnosis of NET with PET/CT 68Ga-DOTA-peptides compounds over conventional radiologic and scintigraphic imaging, discussing both the different types of radiopharmaceuticals commercially available, trying to making a comparison on the possible advantages and drawbacks of these radiopharmaceuticals, and providing also some technical recommendations to the radiologists and nuclear physicians for using these new methodology in an appropriate manner in the clinical setting.

Topics: Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

In this review we give an overview of current knowledge of (68)Ga-labeled pharmaceuticals, with focus on imaging receptor-mediated processes. A major advantage of a (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator is its continuous source of (68)Ga, independently from an on-site cyclotron. The increase in knowledge of purification and concentration of the eluate and the complex ligand chemistry has led to (68)Ga-labeled pharmaceuticals with major clinical impact. (68)Ga-labeled pharmaceuticals have the potential to cover all today's clinical options with (99m)Tc, with the concordant higher resolution of positron emission tomography (PET) in comparison with single photon emission computed tomography. (68)Ga-labeled analogs of octreotide, such as DOTATOC, DOTANOC, and DOTA-TATE, are in clinical application in nuclear medicine, and these analogs are now the most frequently applied of all (68)Ga-labeled pharmaceuticals. All the above-mentioned items in favor of successful application of (68)Ga-labeled radiopharmaceuticals for imaging in patients are strong arguments for the development of a (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator with Marketing Authorization and thus to provide pharmaceutical grade eluate. Moreover, now not one United States Food and Drug Administration-approved or European Medicines Agency-approved (68)Ga-radiopharmaceutical is available. As soon as these are achieved, a whole new radiopharmacy providing PET radiopharmaceuticals might develop.

Topics: Forecasting; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Molecular Structure; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Octreotide; Organometallic Compounds; Peptides; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radioactivity; Radionuclide Generators; Radiopharmaceuticals; United States

Neuroendocrine tumours (NET) are relatively rare neoplasms affecting principally the gastroenteropancreatic tract, but with potential ubiquitary location, as the neural crest cells, origin of this group of tumours, are dispersed in various organs and tissues. After the discovery of somatostatin receptors (SSTR) over-expression in this group of neoplasms, NET management has significantly improved. This is witnessed by the development of new tracers in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of NETs belonging to the family of radio-labelled somatostatin analogues, that significantly improved the accuracy of diagnosis and, more recently, opened the way to the innovative targeted radionuclide therapies. First introduced in clinical application in 2005, 68Ga-DOTANOC (one of the most used radio-labelled somatostatin analog for PET imaging) has revealed promising results in preliminary studies for the main clinical indications: staging NET; suspected NET of unknown primary; follow-up, restaging and, finally, for pre- and post-treatment evaluation of receptor radionuclide therapies. Due to its technically simple production, favourable biodistribution, biokinetics, dosimetry and high affinity for SSTR and thanks to the possibility of hybrid scans PET/computed tomography (CT) with better spatial resolution and localisation of the lesions, 68Ga-DOTANOC can advance as the new gold standard for imaging in neuroendocrine tumours.

Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Humans; Neoplasm Proteins; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptors, Somatostatin; Sensitivity and Specificity

Somatostatin receptor PET tracers such as [(68)Ga-DOTA,1-Nal(3)]-octreotide ((68)Ga-DOTANOC) and [(68)Ga-DOTA,Tyr(3)]-octreotate ((68)Ga-DOTATATE) have shown promising results in patients with neuroendocrine tumors, with a higher lesion detection rate than is achieved with (18)F-fluorodihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine PET, somatostatin receptor SPECT, CT, or MR imaging. (68)Ga-DOTANOC has high affinity for somatostatin receptor subtypes 2, 3, and 5 (sst2,3,5). It has a wider receptor binding profile than (68)Ga-DOTATATE, which is sst2-selective. The wider receptor binding profile might be advantageous for imaging because neuroendocrine tumors express different subtypes of somatostatin receptors. The goal of this study was to prospectively compare (68)Ga-DOTANOC and (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in the same patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) and to evaluate the clinical impact of (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT.. Eighteen patients with biopsy-proven GEP-NETs were evaluated with (68)Ga-DOTANOC and (68)Ga-DOTATATE using a randomized crossover design. Labeling of DOTANOC and DOTATATE with (68)Ga was standardized using a fully automated synthesis device. PET/CT findings were compared with 3-phase CT scans and in some patients with MR imaging, (18)F-FDG PET/CT, and histology. Uptake in organs and tumor lesions was quantified and compared by calculation of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) using volume computer-assisted reading.. Histology revealed low-grade GEP-NETs (G1) in 4 patients, intermediate grade (G2) in 7, and high grade (G3) in 7. (68)Ga-DOTANOC and (68)Ga-DOTATATE were false-negative in only 1 of 18 patients. In total, 248 lesions were confirmed by cross-sectional and PET imaging. The lesion-based sensitivity of (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET was 93.5%, compared with 85.5% for (68)Ga-DOTATATE PET (P = 0.005). The better performance of (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET is attributed mainly to the significantly higher detection rate of liver metastases rather than tumor differentiation grade. Multivariate analysis revealed significantly higher SUVmax in G1 tumors than in G3 tumors (P = 0.009). This finding was less pronounced with (68)Ga-DOTANOC (P > 0.001). Altogether, (68)Ga-DOTANOC changed treatment in 3 of 18 patients (17%).. The sst2,3,5-specific radiotracer (68)Ga-DOTANOC detected significantly more lesions than the sst2-specific radiotracer (68)Ga-DOTATATE in our patients with GEP-NETs. The clinical relevance of this finding has to be proven in larger studies.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Over Studies; Digestive System Neoplasms; Female; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prospective Studies; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptors, Somatostatin; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Recent data have indicated that ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC positron emission tomography/X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) may yield improved images in a shorter acquisition protocol than ¹¹¹In-DTPA-octreotide (OctreoScan®, OCT). Therefore, we performed a prospective comparison of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC and OCT for the detection of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).. Nineteen patients (eight carcinoid, nine pancreatic NETs, and two NE carcinoma of unknown origin) with previous positive OCT scans underwent ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT and OCT single-photon emission computed tomography imaging for staging or follow-up. Findings were compared by region and verified with conventional imaging.. All images of both modalities demonstrated focal uptake, often at multiple sites. ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC images were clearer than OCT images, facilitating interpretation. Similar foci were identified with both modalities in 41 regions, with additional foci on ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC in 21 and on OCT in 15 regions. CT, magnetic resonance imaging, or ultrasound confirmed the concordant findings in 31 of 41 regions and findings seen with ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC only in 15 of 21 regions. Findings seen with OCT only were less clear and were only confirmed in 4 of 15 regions. ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC had impact on staging in four patients and on management in three patients.. Although ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC and OCT images were similar, in this study, ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC demonstrated more true positive tumor foci and was better tolerated by patients. This direct comparison supports replacement of OCT with ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-NOC-PET/CT in the evaluation of NETs.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Somatostatin; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Despite the fact that several studies have been published regarding the prognostic factors of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), there are some cases in which available data are not sufficient to predict disease progression and to define a correct therapeutic approach. To our knowledge, the role of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) as a prognostic factor has never been studied in NET patients. Therefore, we prospectively investigated whether (68)Ga-[1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid]-1-NaI3-octreotide ((68)Ga-DOTANOC) PET SUVmax could be used as an accurate noninvasive marker for disease prognosis.. Forty-seven patients with NETs were studied with (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET. All patients underwent a baseline visit and laboratory and radiologic examinations. Follow-up was performed in all cases.. SUVmax was significantly higher in patients with pancreatic NET and in those with well-differentiated NETs. Moreover, SUVmax was significantly higher in patients with an elevated expression of 2A-somatostatin receptor. During the follow-up, the disease was stable or presented a partial response in 25 patients, and in 19 cases the disease progressed. The patients with stable disease or a partial response had an SUVmax significantly higher than did those in the progressive disease group, with the best cutoff ranging from 17.9 to 19.3. At univariate and multivariate analysis, the significant positive prognostic factors were well-differentiated NET, an SUVmax of 19.3 or more, and a combined treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogs and radiolabeled somatostatin analogs.. We demonstrated, for the first time to our knowledge, that (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET SUVmax correlates with the clinical and pathologic features of NETs and is also an accurate prognostic index.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological Transport; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prognosis; Prospective Studies

Therapy with the somatostatin analogue DOTA-(0)-Phe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotide (DOTATOC) labeled with a beta-(DOTA-Phe-Tyr-Octreotide) emitter such as 90Y or 177Lu is accepted for the palliative treatment of unresectable neuroendocrine cancer. However, the optimal route of administration has not been determined. Using positron-emission tomography (PET)-labeled 68Ga-DOTATOC, we compared selective tumoral uptake on PET/computed tomography (CT) after arterial or venous administration of the agent in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.. Fifteen patients with neuroendocrine cancer were examined with 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT after intravenous (i.v.) and intraarterial (i.a.) administration within 4 weeks of each other and without any intervening therapy. Eleven patients had multifocal metastases, six were considered to have unresectable primary tumor. The intraarterial catheter was placed in the vessel supplying the main tumor burden. The standard uptake value (SUV) was used to compare intratumoral concentrations of 68Ga-DOTATOC.. Compared with i.v. infusion, the i.a. infusion resulted in an increased SUV in 117 of 122 (96%) liver metastases. The average increase in SUV was 3.75-fold higher with i.a. administration. The increase in uptake for the primary tumors was dependent on the selectivity of the catheter placement, resulting in variable increases in SUV after i.a. injection (1.44- to 7.8-fold higher).. This study showed that uptake of DOTATOC is commonly several fold higher after selective i.a. administration in comparison with i.v. injection in both the primary tumor as well as in liver metastases of neuroendocrine cancer. Therefore, intraarterial DOTATOC is a promising drug for regionally intensified radiopeptide therapy.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Digestive System Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Infusions, Intra-Arterial; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Radiotherapy; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The aim of this work was the evaluation of biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of (68)Ga-DOTANOC in patients affected by neuroendocrine tumors.. We enrolled nine patients (six male and three female) affected by different types of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Each patient underwent four whole body positron emission tomography (PET) scans, respectively, at 5, 20, 60, and 120 min after the intravenous injection of about 185 MBq of (68)Ga-DOTANOC. Blood and urine samples were taken at different time points post injection: respectively, at about 5, 18, 40, 60, and 120 min for blood and every 40-50 min from injection time up to 4 h for urine. The organs involved in the dosimetric evaluations were liver, heart, spleen, kidneys, lungs, pituitary gland, and urinary bladder. Dosimetric evaluations were done using the OLINDA/EXM 1.0 software.. A physiological uptake of (68)Ga-DOTANOC was seen in all patients in the pituitary gland, the spleen, the liver, and the urinary tract (kidneys and urinary bladder). Organs with the highest absorbed doses were kidneys (9.0E-02+/-3.2E-02mSv/MBq). The mean effective dose equivalent (EDE) was 2.5E-02+/-4.6E-03 mSv/MBq.. The excretion of the compound was principally via urine, giving dose to the kidney and the urinary bladder wall. As SSTR2 is the most frequently expressed somatostatin receptor and (68)Ga-DOTANOC has high affinity to it, this compound might play an important role in PET oncology in the future. The dosimetric evaluation carried out by our team demonstrated that (68)Ga-DOTANOC delivers a dose to organs comparable to, and even lower than, analogous diagnostic compounds.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiometry; Tissue Distribution

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors associated with the overexpression of somatostatin receptors owing to their origin from neural crest cells. The somatostatin receptor-based molecular imaging of NETs with 68Ga-DOTANOC is extensively used to diagnose primary and metastatic disease with high diagnostic accuracy. Unlike conventional octreotide imaging, physiological gallbladder uptake is not seen on 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT imaging. The present case report exhibits the rare physiological 68Ga-DOTANOC uptake in the gall bladder and bile duct.

Topics: Gallbladder; Humans; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Receptors, Somatostatin

Gallbladder neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors of the biliary system. These neoplasms express somatostatin receptors, and hence radiolabeled somatostatin analog 68Ga-DOTANOC is used as a PET radiotracer in detection and staging. Gallbladder NEN cannot be differentiated from an adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder based on clinical symptoms or routine radiological imaging such as ultrasound or CT. These are either diagnosed postcholecystectomy or after biopsy from primary or metastatic sites. We present a rare case of gallbladder NEN detected on 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT.

Topics: Gallbladder; Humans; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography

Lymph node metastasis of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (RNETs) predicts poor prognosis. However, the assessment of lymph node metastasis remains a challenge. It has been reported that 68Ga-DOTANOC and 18F-FDG PET-CT scans could be employed in the work-up of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (RNETs). This study aimed to assess both tracers' ability to identify primary tumors and lymph node (LN) metastasis in RNETs.. A total of 537 patients with RNETs were enrolled from January 2014 to January 2021. Both 68Ga-DOTANOC and 18F-FDG PET-CT scans were used to evaluate primary tumors and LN group metastasis. PET images were evaluated through visual and semiquantitative assessment. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to investigate the performance of SUVmax of 68Ga-DOTANOC and 18F-FDG PET in predicting LN group metastasis.. Fifty-two patients with preoperative 68Ga-DOTANOC with 18F-FDG PET-CT scans underwent endoscopic biopsy or dissection of the primary tumor, while 11 patients underwent rectal surgery together with regional LN dissection. For primary tumors, 68Ga-DOTANOC had a sensitivity of 89.58% and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 95.56% through visual assessment, while 18F-FDG PET-CT showed 77.08% sensitivity and 97.37% PPV. For the prediction of LN group metastasis, 68Ga-DOTANOC PET-CT had 77.78% sensitivity and 91.67% specificity, while 18F-FDG PET-CT had 38.89% sensitivity and 100% specificity according to visual assessment. The area under the ROC curves (AUC) for 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT was 0.852 (95%CI:0.723-0.981) with an optimal SUVmax cut-off value of 2.25, while the AUC for 18F-FDG PET were 0.664 (95%CI:0.415-0.799) with an optimal SUVmax cut-off value of 1.05.. This study showed that 68Ga-DOTANOC PET-CT was a promising tool for detecting LN metastasis in RNETs with high sensitivity and specificity in visual assessment and semiquantitative assessment, which was better than 18F-FDG PET-CT.

Topics: Adult; Aged; China; Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Predictive Value of Tests; Rectal Neoplasms; Sensitivity and Specificity

The aim of this study was to compare retrospectively 18F-DOPA PET/CT versus 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in a group of patients affected by midgut NET.. Patients with histologically proven grade 1 or grade 2 midgut NET were explored after injection of 150 MBq of 68Ga-DOTANOC and 210 MBq of 18F-DOPA. The PET/CTs were analyzed visually and semiquantitatively at the patient level, regional level (7 defined regions), and lesion level (maximum of 5 lesions/organ). The criterion standard was determined on the basis of histology and imaging follow-up.. Thirty patients (17 males and 13 females; median age, 63.5 years [37-82 years]) were included. Both PET/CTs were negative in 3 patients and positive in 25 patients. PET/CTs were discordant in 2 patients, with 18F-DOPA positive and 68Ga-DOTANOC negative. 18F-DOPA PET/CT detected more involved regions and more metastatic lesions than 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in 6 (20%) and 10 (33.3%) patients, respectively. Of the 81 confirmed affected regions, 77 (95%) were detected by 18F-DOPA PET/CT and 71 (87.7%) by 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT (P < 0.0001). 18F-DOPA PET/CT detected significantly more lesions (211/221) than 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT (195/221), corresponding to a sensitivity of 95.5% and 88.2%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Tumor-to-background ratios were more favorable in liver for 18F-DOPA than for 68Ga-DOTANOC. Interestingly, a correlation was found between 18F-DOPA SUVmax and tumor burden and especially with the number of regions involved by the disease (P = 0.019).. 18F-DOPA PET/CT is superior to 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for the detection of lesions, and when available, this tracer may be recommended as the first-line examination for an accurate staging of midgut NET.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Female; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Retrospective Studies; Stomach Neoplasms

A 57-year-old man, on octreotide treatment for metastatic neuroendocrine tumor pancreas, was referred for whole-body Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan to evaluate treatment response. PET/CT scan revealed DOTANOC-avid lesion in the head of the pancreas with multiple tracer-avid soft tissue lesions in the liver, bilateral adrenal glands, and periportal lymph nodes. In addition, diffuse intense DOTANOC-avid mural thickening with intraluminal polypoidal mass formation was noted within the stomach causing significant luminal compromise, histopathological examination of which turned out be hypertrophic hypersecretory gastropathy. This case highlights the possibility of overexpression of somatostatin receptors in gastric hypertrophy, which has been little explored in literature.

Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Gastritis, Hypertrophic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals

Increase in incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has been attributed in part to the availability of sensitive diagnostic modalities, such as Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/CT. However, it suffers from problems such as obscurement of tracer-avid lesions by physiological gut activity and collapsed gut lumen. Contrast-enhanced CT and CT enterography (CTE) do not have these drawbacks.. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performances of contrast-enhanced CT + CTE and the Ga-DOTA-peptide PET/noncontrast CT in GEP-NETs.. Fifty-six patients (mean age, 57.8 ± 13.3 years [male:female, 1.95:1]), with histopathologically proven gastroenteropancreatic NETs, who had undergone both Ga-DOTANOC-PET/NCCT (60 minutes, post-IV injection of 111-185 MBq) and contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) + CTE (using 1.5-2 L isotonic mannitol solution and 1-2 mg/kg of IV contrast), were retrospectively selected. Twenty-three patients had been referred for identification of primary lesions and 33 for staging/restaging. The scans were independently evaluated by 2 blinded physicians, who documented the number and site of lesions, with reporting confidence (3 = high confidence, 2 = equivocal confidence, 1 = low confidence). Reference standard was created using clinical, biochemical, and imaging parameters (ie, uptake and contrast enhancement), along with corroboration from previous or follow-up scans. Finally, PET images coregistered to the CECT + CTE were independently evaluated for any additional benefit.. The numbers of primary lesions detected by CECT + CTE and PET/CT were 69 and 57, respectively. Lesion-wise sensitivities for patients with unknown primary in CECT + CTE and PET/CT were 57.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.0%-74.5%) and 71.4% (95% CI, 52.9%-84.7%), respectively. Corresponding numbers in patients who had come for staging/restaging were 73.2% (95% CI, 58.1%-84.3%) and 73.8% (95% CI, 58.9%-84.7%). Lesions missed in CECT + CTE were gastrointestinal (n = 14), lymph nodes (n = 25), mesenteric (n = 1), and pancreatic (n = 7), whereas corresponding numbers for PET/CT were 14, 5, 3, and 2. Contrast-enhanced CT + CTE showed more false-positives (n = 26) than PET/CT (n = 9). Lesions missed by CECT + CTE were smaller than detected lesions (median, 9.7 mm [interquartile range, 7.5-31.1] vs 17.7 mm [interquartile range, 12.2-30.0]; P = 0.062), and lesions missed by PET had significantly lower tumor/background (liver) SUVmax ratio (median, 1.3 [interquartile range, 0.6-3.8] vs 4.7 [interquartile range, 2.7-10.8]). The ratio of true-positives to false-positives dropped markedly, when reporting confidence in CECT + CTE was low (4/15 [for rating 1 or 2] vs 93/11 [rating 3]). Corresponding numbers for PET/CT were (40/7 [for rating 1 or 2] vs 80/2 [rating 3]). Combination of these 2 modalities would have increased the lesion-wise sensitivities in patients with unknown primaries to 89.7% (95% CI, 73.6%-96.4%) and the confidence rating of soft tissue lesions to predominantly high (134 lesions rated 3, and 10 rated 1 or 2).. PET/CT is a sensitive modality for staging and restaging well-differentiated NETs. Use of CECT + CTE as a complementary modality in patients with uncertain uptake or high clinical suspicion of gastroenteropancreatic NETs should be considered, as it improves the lesion detection and reporting confidence.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Retrospective Studies; Stomach Neoplasms

A 69-year-old man with a history of back pain, urinary obstruction, and deep vein thrombosis of both lower extremities 4 years earlier was diagnosed with rectal neuroendocrine tumor, grade 2, Ki-67 index 3%. Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT images showed a left pelvic mass extended to the lumen of the inferior vena cava with a high affinity for somatostatin receptor. A tubular focus of radiotracer accumulation after the course of inferior vena cava with filling defect was suggestive of tumor thrombus.

Topics: Aged; Humans; Male; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Rectal Neoplasms; Thrombosis; Vena Cava, Inferior

A 58-year-old woman with 5-year history of grade 1 progressive metastatic intestinal neuroendocrine tumor with metachronous liver metastases initially treated by surgery and liver embolization underwent Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT before Lu-DOTATATE therapy. Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT revealed increased uptake in several liver metastases and right iliac lymph nodes, consistent with radiopeptide therapy, including a hypodense isthmic thyroid nodule. Fine needle ultrasound-guided biopsy of the thyroid nodule was realized. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD56, chromogranin, and synaptophysin and negative for calcitonin, confirming neuroendocrine tumor intrathyroid metastasis. Lu-DOTATATE SPECT/CT showed therapeutic uptake on the thyroid metastasis.

Topics: Female; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Octreotide; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Thyroid Neoplasms

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare neoplasms and commonly metastasize to liver, lymph nodes and less frequently to bones and lungs. Metastases to other organs are extremely rare and we report a case of NET clinically presenting with bilateral proptosis secondary to metastases in orbits. Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT demonstrated somatostatin receptor overexpressing lesions in bilateral orbits, small intestine, lymph nodes, lungs, heart and testes in the absence of liver metastases.

Topics: Exophthalmos; Heart Neoplasms; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Orbital Neoplasms; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Testicular Neoplasms

Metastasis to the breast is a rare occurrence and constitutes less than 2% of all breast tumors. Similarly, ovarian metastases from neuroendocrine tumors are also uncommon, and if the adnexal masses are bilateral, then the chances of it being metastatic rather than being primary range from 88% to 94%. We present a case of 61-year-old woman who in the course of workup for abdominal pain and diarrhea was eventually diagnosed as ileal neuroendocrine tumor with breast, ovarian, and lymph nodal metastases on Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT scan.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Ileal Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Ovarian Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Probability

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the thyroid gland are generally considered to be derived from parafollicular endocrine or C cells and are known as medullary thyroid carcinomas. Non-calcitonin-producing NETs of the thyroid are extremely rare in occurrence and pose a significant diagnostic dilemma for the physician and pathologist. We describe a case of a 58-year-old woman who was diagnosed as having primary NET thyroid with normal calcitonin levels and Ga DOTANOC PET-CT scan findings which were done for initial extent evaluation of the disease.

Topics: Calcitonin; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Thyroid Neoplasms

Ga-PSMA PET/CT is the upcoming imaging modality for staging, restaging and response assessment of prostate cancer. However, due to neuroendocrine differentiation in some of patients with prostate cancer, they express somatostatin receptors instead of prostate specific membrane antigen. This can be exploited and other modalities like Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and F-FDG PET/CT should be used in such cases for guiding management. We hereby discuss a similar case of 67-year-old man of adenocarcinoma prostate with neuroendocrine differentiation, which shows the potential pitfall of Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging and benefit of Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and F-FDG PET/CT in such cases.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Edetic Acid; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Gallium Isotopes; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Oligopeptides; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prostatic Neoplasms

Here we report a 31-year-old man with a peri-ampullary neuroendocrine tumor (NET), who underwent Ga DOTANOC-PET/CT for recurrence evaluation, which revealed isolated metastatic lesion in liver segment V. He underwent trans-arterial radio-embolization (TARE) of the isolated hepatic metastasis with Rhenium-microspheres in a lipiodol matrix. The second Ga DOTANOC-PET/CT was performed one month after the TARE therapy revealed resolution of the tracer uptake with good retention of the lipiodol complex replacing the metastasis suggesting a complete response.

Topics: Adult; Embolization, Therapeutic; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals

Functional imaging using radiolabeled somatostatin analogues plays an important role in the management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors, and it is a promising tool in the new era of theragnosis and personalized medicine.. The authors present the case of a 63-year-old woman referred for evaluation of a suspected pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor by Ga-68-DOTA-1-Nal3-octreotide positron emission tomography/computed tomography (Ga-68-DOTA-NOC PET/CT).. PET/CT confirmed increased uptake of Ga-68-DOTA-NOC in a pancreatic lesion compatible with hyperexpression of somatostatin receptors in a neuroendocrine tumor. Furthermore, PET/CT revealed increased uptake in a breast lesion and in lymphadenomegalies (less intense than in the pancreatic tumor), which conducted to the incidental diagnosis of a breast carcinoma with lymph node metastases.. For the breast cancer, the patient underwentneoadjuvant chemotherapy and anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, after which she was submitted to surgery. Regarding thepancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, it was decided to maintain itunder surveillance.. Breast carcinomas are known to express somatostatin receptors and this is the first report of Ga-68-DOTA-NOC uptake in a breast tumor.. Ga-68-DOTA-NOC PET/CT could be useful for the management of breast cancer patients in the new era of theragnosis and personalized medicine.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Female; Humans; Incidental Findings; Lymphadenopathy; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of simultaneous whole-body Ga-DOTANOC PET/MRI compared with Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for detection of distant metastatic disease in patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).. Patients with histologically proven, well-differentiated NET (G1 or G2) were included in this prospective, institutional review board-approved study. Patients underwent Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and subsequent Ga-DOTANOC PET/MRI after a single tracer injection on the same day for staging or restaging purposes. Images were evaluated for the presence of NET lesions by 2 rater teams, each consisting of a nuclear medicine physician and a radiologist, in an observer-blinded fashion. Overall agreement, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, relative to a composite reference standard (consensus review including follow-up data), were calculated.. Between July 2014 and June 2016, 28 patients were enrolled. Overall agreement and accuracy between the 2 rater teams were 91.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.5%-95.9%) and 97% (95% CI, 94.4%-99.6%) for PET/MRI and 92.3% (95% CI, 88.3%-96.3%) and 94.6% (95% CI, 91.2%-98.1%) for PET/CT, respectively (P = 1.00).Overall, PET/MRI reached 89.8% sensitivity (95% CI, 77.8%-96.6%) and 100% specificity (95% CI, 97%-100%); PET/CT showed 81.6% sensitivity (95% CI, 68%-91.2%) and 100% specificity (95% CI, 97%-100%) for the detection of metastatic disease in NETs.. Whole-body Ga-DOTANOC PET/MRI appears to be comparable to Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for lesion detection in patients with well-differentiated NETs.

Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prospective Studies; Whole Body Imaging

The aim of the study was to assess the value and potential pitfalls of Ga-DOTANOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with suspected pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNEN).. Consecutive patients referred for Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for suspected pNEN between May 1, 2011, and October 31, 2014, were retrospectively assessed. Scan data were compared with cytological/histological final diagnosis. Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm detection rate was determined on per-patient and per-lesion basis. Maximum standardized uptake values of lesions were determined.. Fifty-eight patients with 65 lesions were enrolled. Twelve patients had nonconfirmed diagnosis; of these, 7 were positive and 5 negative at PET/CT. Of 46 patients with confirmed diagnosis, 36 had pNEN; of these, 33 were positive, 1 negative, and 2 nonevaluable at PET/CT. Ten patients had non-NE lesions, of which 8 were positive, 1 negative, and 1 nonevaluable at PET/CT. Of 48 patients with positive PET/CT, 8 proved to have non-NE lesions, of which 6 were intrapancreatic accessory spleen. No significant maximum standardized uptake values difference was found between pNEN and non-NE lesions.. Intrapancreatic accessory spleen is an important pitfall in Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for suspected pNEN. Cytological/histological confirmation is mandatory before any surgical procedure is undertaken.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Choristoma; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spleen; Young Adult

Our aim was to assess the role of Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT as a tool for the management of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), evaluating the clinical impact on patients from two large NET centers in different geopolitical settings.. This is a retrospective study of patients with NETs who underwent Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT at Royal Liverpool University Hospital (UK) and at Mount Lebanon Hospital (Lebanon). Indications for imaging and findings of the PET/CT along with demographic and clinical outcome data were recorded and evaluated.. Four hundred and forty-five patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, with a median age at the time of diagnosis of 56 (range: 3-90) years; 248 (55.7%) patients were male.Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT was indicated for staging in 193 (43.4%) patients, for diagnosis in 124 (27.9%) patients, for follow-up in 97 (21.7%) patients, and for identification of a primary NET site in 31 (7%) patients.One hundred and four (27.9%) patients underwent Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT for the primary diagnosis of NET, of whom 66 (52.7%) patients presented with a clinical suspicion of NET, 10 (8.3%) patients presented with a biochemical suspicion of NET only, and 48 (38.8%) patients presented with a suspicious NET lesion discovered on another imaging modality. The most common clinical presentation was typical carcinoid syndrome [4 (33%) patients].Results on the basis of histology were used as the gold standard for the diagnosis in 57% of patients and the remaining on the basis of follow-up as per established clinical consensus. Sensitivity, specificity, negative-predictive value, and positive-predictive value of PET/CT were 87.1, 97.7, 79.6, and 98.7%, respectively, for the entire sample. Accuracy was measured using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with an area under the curve of 0.924 (95% confidence interval: 0.874-0.974).. Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT is a highly sensitive and specific study for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with neuroendocrine tumors. These results support the use of Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT contributing significantly toward the clinical management of NET patients.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Imaging; Neoplasm Staging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult

We report on a 62-year-old man with metastatic prostate cancer (cT3b N1) diagnosed in 2011, treated with total androgen blockage with flutamide and goserelin acetate (Zoladex). He presented with left suprascapular swelling and low-back pain after being asymptomatic for 5 years. His prostate-specific antigen was 0.049 ng/mL. F-NaF PET-CT and Ga-PSMA scan were negative, whereas Ga-DOTA NOC scan done after 10 days showed multiple somatostatin-avid hepatic and lymph node metastasis.

Topics: Edetic Acid; Gallium Isotopes; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Oligopeptides; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prostatic Neoplasms; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sodium Fluoride

We investigated the prognostic role of (68)Ga-DOTANOC in patients affected by hepatic metastases from neuroendocrine tumours (NET) undergoing (90)Y radioembolization ((90)Y-RE).. A group of 15 consecutive patients with unresectable NET liver metastases underwent (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET at baseline and 6 weeks after (90)Y-RE. Molecular response was defined as a reduction of >50% in the tumour-to-spleen ratio (ΔT/S). The patients were divided into two groups (responders with ΔT/S >50% and nonresponders with ΔT/S <50%) Patients were followed up by imaging and laboratory tests every 3 months until death or for at least 36 months following (90)Y-RE. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors predicting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).. A decrease in T/S ratio was seen in all patients on (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET scans performed after (90)Y-RE. Nine patients were classified as responders and six as nonresponders. The mean OS in all patients was 31.0 months. Responders had a significantly (p < 0.001) longer OS (mean 36.0 ± 2.5 months) and PFS (mean 29.7 ± 3.4 months) than nonresponders. In a multivariate analysis, none of the other examined variables including age, unilobar vs. bilobar locations, bilirubin levels, radiological response or the presence of extrahepatic disease significantly predicted patient outcome.. Molecular response assessed with (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET might be a useful predictor of survival in patients affected by NET liver metastases treated with (90)Y-RE.

Topics: Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cohort Studies; Disease-Free Survival; Embolization, Therapeutic; Female; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Microspheres; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Octreotide; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prognosis; Radiopharmaceuticals; Treatment Outcome; Yttrium

The aims of this study were to investigate the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) evaluation and to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to Ga-DOTANOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) results.. Morphological MRI (T2-weighted [T2-w] + contrast-enhanced [CE] T1-w) and DWI (T2-w + DWI) and Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in 25 patients/30 pNETs were retrospectively evaluated. Per-patient and per-lesion detection rates (pDR and lDR, respectively) were calculated. Apparent diffusion coefficient values were compared among pNET and surrounding and normal pancreas (control group, 18 patients). Apparent diffusion coefficient and standardized uptake value (SUV) values were compared among different grading and staging groups.. No statistically significant differences in PET/CT and MRI session detection rates were found (morphological MRI and DW-MRI, 88% pDR and 87% lDR; combined evaluation, 92% pDR and 90% lDR; Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT, 88% pDR and 80% lDR). Consensus reading (morphological/DW-MRI + PET/CT) improved pDR and lDR (100%). Apparent diffusion coefficient mean value was significantly lower compared with surrounding and normal parenchyma (P < 0.01). The apparent diffusion coefficient and SUV values of pNETs among different grading and staging groups were not statistically different.. Conventional MRI, DW-MRI + T2-w sequences, and Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT can be alternative tools in pNET detection. Diffusion-weighted MRI could be valuable in patients with clinical suspicion but negative conventional imaging findings. However, the consensus reading of the 3 techniques seems the best approach.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neoplasm Grading; Neoplasm Staging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Ga-DOTA-conjugated peptide PET/CT is used widely for diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with neuroendocrine tumours. As nephrotoxicity is a major limiting factor during peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), it is important to evaluate renal function before, during and after treatment. The aim of our study is to compare renal uptake of Ga-DOTANOC and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before and after PRRT and to identify any surrogate indicators of renal toxicity.. We included 64 Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT examinations in 32 patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumours who underwent Y-DOTATATE therapy between May 2013 and April 2016. An amino acid infusion was used routinely for renal protection. Renal uptake was quantified as mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean) of both kidneys after background subtraction. eGFR was calculated using standard software. The values were compared and evaluation of correlation and agreement between the two parameters was performed.. Our study showed fair agreement between SUVmean of the kidneys on Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and eGFR (r=0.33) before PRRT and poor agreement between SUVmean of the kidneys and eGFR (r=0.16) after PRRT. As expected, there was a statistically significant difference in eGFR before and after PRRT (mean difference=4.41±9.24 ml/min/1.73 m, P=0.01). On comparison of renal uptake before and after PRRT, the post-PRRT scans showed a statistically significant increase in uptake (SUVmean=-1.25±3.17, P=0.03).. Renal quantitative analysis on Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT before and after PRRT showed no significant correlation with the eGFR. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the renal uptake of Ga-DOTANOC, with a higher uptake after PRRT. As a result of this pilot study, we suggest that the higher renal uptake in the post-PRRT scans could be an indicator of early renal dysfunction and could have implications for further cycles of PRRT. Further longitudinal studies and further evaluation of such data across multiple centres are suggested.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Gallium Radioisotopes; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Humans; Kidney; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Octreotide; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptors, Peptide; Retrospective Studies

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare heterogeneous neoplasm of variable aggressiveness. A 55-year-old woman underwent Ga-DOTANOC PET-CT for suspected NET, which revealed DOTANOC-avid soft tissue mass in the second part of the duodenum with multiple hepatic metastases. Another non-DOTANOC-avid abdominal mass and hypodense lesion in segment VI of the liver were noted. For further evaluation, FDG PET-CT was performed, which revealed increased uptake in the abdominal mass and lesion in segment VI of the liver. Biopsy from the previously mentioned lesions revealed poorly differentiated high-grade NET.

Topics: Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals

A 77-year-old man was referred to our center for a suspected neuroendocrine neoplasm in the pancreatic tail, incidentally detected at CT. Ga DOTANOC PET/CT showed intense tracer uptake in the pancreatic lesion. At MRI, the lesion was similar to the spleen on all sequences, suggesting the presence of intrapancreatic accessory spleen. A Tc-colloid SPECT/CT scan performed to differentiate spleen tissue from neuroendocrine tumor revealed a focal uptake in the pancreatic lesion, thus confirming the presence of ectopic spleen and avoiding unnecessary surgery.

Topics: Aged; False Positive Reactions; Humans; Male; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreas; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Radiopharmaceuticals; Spleen; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Bilateral ovarian metastasis from neuroendocrine tumor (NET) is uncommon. Ovarian NET could be primary or metastatic, and if it is bilateral, then the chances of metastatic disease are from 88% to 94%. Proper identification and appropriate management become necessary in such patients. Somatostatin receptor imaging by Ga-labeled DOTANOC ([1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid]-1-NaI3-Octreotide) PET/CT can be used for localization, staging, and restaging of NET, and it also has an impact on appropriate clinical management of patients with NET. We present here a case of somatostatin receptor expressing bilateral ovarian metastases from NET demonstrated by Ga DOTANOC PET/CT imaging.

Topics: Female; Humans; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Ovarian Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

This study was performed to investigate the role of (68)Ga-DOTANOC SUVmax as a potential prognostic factor in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET).. Among the patients who underwent (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT, we retrospectively collected the data of those who had G1 or G2 pNET (2010 World Health Organization classification), presented with disease on PET/CT and CT, and had at least 6 mo of follow-up. Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia were excluded.. Overall, 43 patients were included. No significant differences in SUVmax were observed with respect to sex, tumor syndrome, stage, World Health Organization classification, or Ki-67. During follow-up (median, 20 mo), 11 patients (35.6%; median, 33 mo; interquartile range, 20-48 mo) had stable disease and 32 (74.4%; median, 19 mo; interquartile range, 14-26 mo) had progressive disease. SUVmax at 24 mo of follow-up was significantly higher (P = 0.022) in patients with stable disease than in patients with progressive disease. The best SUVmax cutoff ranged from 37.8 to 38.0. The major risk factors for progression included an SUVmax of no more than 37.8 (hazard ratio, 3.09; P = 0.003), a Ki-67 of more than 5% (hazard ratio, 2.89; P = 0.009), and medical therapy alone (hazard ratio, 2.36; P = 0.018). Advanced stage (IV) (P = 0.026), an SUVmax of less than 37.8 (P = 0.043), and medical therapy alone (P = 0.015) were also confirmed at multivariate analysis. Median progression-free survival was 23 mo. Significant differences in progression-free survival were observed in relationship to Ki-67 (median, 45 mo for Ki-67 ≤ 5% and 20 mo for Ki-67 > 5%; P = 0.005), SUVmax (<37.8 vs. >38.0: 16.0 vs. 27.0 mo; P = 0.002), and type of therapy (medical vs. peptide receptor radionuclide therapy: 16.0 vs. 26.0 mo; P = 0.014).. (68)Ga-DOTANOC SUVmax is a relevant prognostic factor in patients with G1 and G2 pNET, and its routine use will improve disease characterization and management in these patients, who may present with atypical cases showing heterogeneous clinical behavior.

Topics: Adult; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Ki-67 Antigen; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Radiopharmaceuticals; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors

The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in patients with suspected neuroendocrine tumor (NET).. Data of 164 patients (mean age, 42.5 ± 17.3 years; 54.8% male) who underwent Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for suspected NET were retrospectively analyzed. Neuroendocrine tumor was suspected based on clinical features (n = 94) and/or raised biochemical markers (n = 83, serum chromogranin A, gastrin, serum/urinary catecholamines, insulin/C-peptide, and 5-hydroxytrytophan/5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid) and/or imaging findings (n = 93). PET/CT images were reviewed by 2 experienced nuclear medicine physicians, and any nonphysiological Ga-DOTANOC uptake was taken as positive for NET. Histopathology (n = 55) and clinical/imaging follow-up (n = 109; median, 11 months) was used as reference standard.. Based on the reference standard, 97 of 164 patients had NET. Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT was positive for NET in 101 and negative in 63 patients. Primary tumor was demonstrated in 90 patients (commonest site-pancreas) and metastasis in 30 (commonest site-liver). PET/CT was true positive in 92 patients, true negative in 58, false positive in 9, and false negative in 5. The overall sensitivity was 94.8%, specificity was 86.5%, positive predictive value was 91%, negative predictive value was 92%, and accuracy was 91.4%. The accuracy of PET-CT in patients with clinical features of NET was 90.4%, with raised biochemical markers was 86.7%, and with imaging findings suggestive of NET was 93.5%. No difference was seen in the accuracy in patients with or without clinical symptoms (P = 0.794), raised versus those with normal/unknown biochemical markers (P = 0.094), and suggestive imaging versus those with negative/unavailable imaging (P = 0.420).. Ga-DOTANOC PET-CT shows high positive and negative predictive values in patients with suspected NET and can be routinely used for this purpose.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Predictive Value of Tests; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult

This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT with F-FDG PET/CT in the patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).. Data of 51 patients with definite histological diagnosis of GEP-NET who underwent both Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and F-FDG PET-CT within a span of 15 days were selected for this retrospective analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and F-FDG PET-CT, and results were compared both on patientwise and regionwise analysis.. Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT is superior to F-FDG PET-CT on patientwise analysis (P < 0.0001). On regionwise analysis, Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT is superior to F-FDG PET-CT only for lymph node metastases (P < 0.003). Although Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT detected more liver and skeletal lesions compared with F-FDG PET-CT, the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, the results of combined imaging helped in selecting candidates who would undergo the appropriate mode of treatment, whether octreotide therapy or conventional chemotherapy. Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT seems to be superior to F-FDG PET-CT for imaging GEP-NETs. However, their role seems to be complementary because combination of Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT and F-FDG PET-CT in such patients helps demonstrate the total disease burden and segregate them to proper therapeutic groups.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Intestinal Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radioactive Tracers; Retrospective Studies; Stomach Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors which express somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). We here present a case of a 50-year-old female patient with metastatic bronchial carcinoid. She underwent 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT which suggested a diagnosis of poorly differentiated NET. Biopsy of the lesion, however, revealed a second malignancy in the form of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Thus, very rarely, other primary tumors can mimic NETs on dual-tracer PET/CT, and biopsy is advised in doubtful cases.

Topics: Cell Dedifferentiation; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The present work was aimed at the formulation and evaluation of freeze-dried kits of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-peptides for the preparation of (68)Ga-labelled peptides for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumours. The (68)GaCl3 was obtained from the locally produced nanoceria-PAN, composite-sorbent-based (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator.. Single vial kits of somatostatin analogues DOTA-[Tyr(3)]-octreotide (DOTA-TOC), DOTA-[NaI(3)]-octreotide (DOTA-NOC) and DOTA-Tyr(3)-Thre(8)-octreotide (DOTA-TATE) were formulated. Optimization of radiolabelling with (68)Ga from the in-house generator, characterization, long term evaluation of stability of kits and bioevaluation studies in animals was carried out.. DOTA-TOC, DOTA-NOC and DOTA-TATE kits could be successfully formulated. Consistently high radiochemical yields (>95 %) were obtained on radiolabelling with (68)Ga. The radiolabelled peptides exhibited excellent in vitro stability. Biodistribution studies in normal non-tumour bearing Swiss mice revealed fast clearance of activity via renal route as reported for the respective peptides.. Availability of ready to use DOTA-peptide kits in conjunction with (68)Ge/(68)Ga generators would pave way for the establishment of (68)Ga radiopharmacy, a long-felt need of the nuclear medicine community.

Topics: Animals; Cerium; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Freeze Drying; Gallium Radioisotopes; Mice; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Octreotide; Organometallic Compounds; Peptides; Positron-Emission Tomography; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; Tissue Distribution

Primary neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the breast is very rare. We present a case of a pathologically confirmed, primary breast NET in a 49-year-old woman with 68Ga DOTANOC PET/CT imaging findings. 68Ga DOTANOC PET/CT revealed somatostatin receptors expressing active lesions in primary right breast NET with metastases to multiple bilateral axillary and right cervical lymph nodes, bilateral lungs, and multiple skeletal sites.

Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Hypoglycemia secondary to ectopic insulin secretion of non-pancreatic tumors is rare.. We describe a middle aged woman with recurrent hypoglycemia. On evaluation, she was detected to have hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia and right sided renal mass lesion. 68Ga-Dotanoc and 99mTc-HYNICTOC scans confirmed the intrarenal mass to be of neuroendocrine origin. Right nephrectomy was done and it turned out to be an insulin secreting neuroendocrine tumour. Neuroendocrine nature of this tumour was further confirmed by ultra-structural examination. Her hypoglycemia did not recur after resection of this tumour.. Few cases of ectopic insulin secretion have been reported though some are not proven convincingly. This case addresses all the issues raised in previous case reports and proves by clinical, laboratory, functional imaging and immunohistochemical analysis that ectopic origin of insulin by non-pancreatic tumors does occur. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ectopic insulinoma arising from the kidney.

Topics: Female; Humans; Hyperinsulinism; Hypoglycemia; Insulin; Insulin Secretion; Insulinoma; Kidney Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Nephrectomy; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prognosis

To determine the prognostic value of (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (NET), and to compare the prognostic value with that of (18)F-FDG PET/CT and other conventional clinicopathological prognostic factors.. Data from 37 consecutive patients (age 46.6 ± 13.5 years, 51% men) with well-differentiated NET who underwent (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and (18)F-FDG PET/CT were analyzed. All patients underwent a baseline visit with laboratory and radiological examinations. Clinical and imaging follow-up was performed in all patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) was measured from the date of the first PET/CT scan to the first documentation of progression of disease.. (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT was positive in 37 of the 37 patients and (18)F-FDG PET/CT was positive in 21. During follow-up 10 patients (27%) showed progression of disease and 27 (73%) showed no progression (24 stable disease, 3 partial response). The median follow-up was 25 months (range 2 - 52 months). Among the variables evaluated none was significantly different between the progressive disease and nonprogressive disease groups, with only SUVmax on (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT being borderline significant (P = 0.073). In the univariate analysis for PFS outcome, SUVmax on (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT (HR 0.122, 95% CI 0.019 - 0.779; P = 0.026) and histopathological tumor grade (HR 4.238, 95% CI 1.058 - 16.976; P = 0.041) were found to be associated with PFS. Other factors including age, sex, primary site, Ki-67 index, TNM stage, (18)F-FDG PET/CT status (positive/negative), SUVmax on (18)F-FDG PET/CT and type of treatment were not significant. In multivariable analysis, only SUVmax on (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT was found to be an independent positive predictor of PFS (HR 0.122, 95% CI 0.019 - 0.779; P = 0.026).. SUVmax measured on (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT is an independent, positive prognostic factor in patients with well-differentiated NET and is superior to SUVmax on (18)F-FDG PET/CT and conventional clinicopathological factors for predicting PFS.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Predictive Value of Tests; Radiopharmaceuticals; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined (68)Ga and (18)F-FDG PET/CT on treatment management for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET).. Between January 2012 and April 2014, 49 consecutive patients with a cytologically and/or histologically proven diagnosis of PNET underwent combined (68)Ga and (18)FDG PET/CT on the same day.. The study group consisted of 21 males and 28 females with a median age of 59 years. Disease detection was achieved in 48 out of the 49 cases with (68)Ga imaging, and in 36 of the 49 cases with (18)FDG PET/CT. These results corresponded to sensitivities of 98% for (68)Ga versus 73% for (18)FDG PET/CT. Patients with NET-G1/NET-G2 had a positive (68)Ga and negative (18)FDG PET/CT in 13 cases, whereas both (68)Ga and (18)FDG PET/CT were positive in 27 cases. Patients with NEC-G3 were positive by both (68)Ga and (18)FDG PET/CT in 7 cases and positive only by (18)FDG in 1 case. Another NEC-G3 patient was only positive by (68)Ga PET/CT. The median Ki67 was 7% for (68)Ga PET/CT-positive tumors and 10% for tumors with both (68)Ga and (18)FDG PET/CT positivity (p = 0.130). Half of the patients with a prevalent uptake of (18)FDG (n = 7) had an NEC-G3 compared with 12% of patients with a prevalent uptake of (68)Ga (p = 0.012). There were no significant differences between patients with positive (68)Ga and those with positive (18)FDG with regards to treatment choice.. The association of (18)FDG slightly increases sensitivity of (68)Ga PET/CT alone in the diagnosis of PNET. A combined dual tracer PET/CT does not influence the choice of treatment strategy.

Topics: Aged; Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Imaging with (68)Ga-labeled 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-octreotide analogs has become an important modality in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). In addition to high uptake in NET lesions, prominent physiologic radiotracer activity has been reported in the pituitary gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, liver, and spleen, and faint activity has been reported in the thyroid and gastrointestinal tract. This article describes previously unknown sites of 68Ga-DOTA-1-NaI3-octreotide (NOC) uptake unrelated to NETs.. One hundred eighty-two patients (96 female and 86 male patients; age range, 4-89 years) with documented (n=156) or suspected (n=26) NETs underwent 207 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT studies. Studies were retrospectively reviewed for the presence, intensity, and localization of foci of increased uptake that were further correlated with findings on additional imaging studies and clinical follow-up for a period of 4-32 months.. Uptake of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC not identified as NET or known physiologic activity was detected in 297 sites with confirmation in 149 of 207 studies (72%). The most common location of non-NET-related 68Ga-DOTA-NOC-avid sites was in small lymph nodes, followed by prostate, uterus, breasts, lungs, brown fat, musculoskeletal system, and other sites, including oropharynx, pineal body, thymus, aortic plaque, genitalia, surgical bed, and subcutaneous granuloma. Intensity of uptake in non-NET-related 68Ga-DOTA-NOC-avid sites ranged in maximum standardized uptake value from 0.8 to 10.5.. Previously unreported benign sites of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC uptake were found in the majority of studies, suggesting the presence of somatostatin receptors in physiologic variants or processes with no evidence of tumor. Knowledge of increased tracer uptake in non-NET-related sites is important for accurate interpretation and for avoiding potential pitfalls of 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Endocrine Gland Neoplasms; Female; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Israel; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prevalence; Radiography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult

To compare fused gadoxetate-enhanced Ga-68-DOTANOC PET/MRI and Ga-68-DOTANOC PET/DWI (diffusion-weighted imaging) for the assessment of abdominal neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).. Eighteen patients with suspected or histologically proven NETs of the abdomen were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent Ga-68-DOTANOC PET/CT for a primary search, staging, or restaging, and received an additional MRI, including dynamic gadoxetate-enhanced T1-weighted sequences and DWI (b-values 50, 300 and 600). Co-registered gadoxetate-enhanced PET/MRI and PET/DWI were separately analysed for NET lesions by a nuclear medicine physician and a radiologist in consensus. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated on a per-region, per-organ and per-patient basis.. Eighty-seven out of 684 anatomical regions, and 23 out of 270 organs, were NET-positive in 14 out of 18 patients. Region-based sensitivities and specificities were 97.7 % and 99.7 % for gadoxetate-enhanced PET/MRI and 98.9 % and 99.7 % for PET/DWI. Organ-based sensitivities and specificities were 91.3 % and 99.6 % for gadoxetate-enhanced PET/MRI and 95.7 % and 99.6 % for PET/DWI. Finally, patient-based sensitivities and specificities were 100 % and 100 % for gadoxetate-enhanced PET/MRI and 100 % and 75 % for PET/DWI. Sensitivities and specificities of the two methods did not differ significantly.. Gadoxetate-enhanced Ga-68-DOTANOC PET/MRI and Ga-68-DOTANOC PET/DWI are equally useful for the assessment of abdominal NETs.. • Positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can both assess neuroendocrine tumours. • Fusion of PET/MR imaging provides helpful information. • Gadoxetate-enhanced Ga-68-DOTANOC PET/MRI and Ga-68-DOTANOC PET/DWI assess neuroendocrine tumours equally well. • PET/DWI is inherently simpler than gadoxetate-enhanced PET/MRI. • Only benign hepatic lesions pose a potential diagnostic dilemma for PET/DWI.

Topics: Abdomen; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Contrast Media; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Female; Gadolinium DTPA; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult

We report a rare case of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome caused by a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the pancreas detected by PET/CT using different tracers. A 43-year-old female patient with Cushing syndrome (CS) by suspected ectopic ACTH secretion underwent a 68Ga-DOTANOC and a 18F-FDG PET/CT. Both these functional imaging techniques revealed increased tracer uptake in a pancreatic mass and multiple liver metastases. Histology showed the presence of a mildly differentiated pancreatic NET. 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT may be a useful functional imaging method, complementary to 18F-FDG PET/CT, in detecting ACTH-secreting pancreatic NETs.

Topics: ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic; Adult; Cell Differentiation; Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Glucose; Humans; Multimodal Imaging; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis, Chronic; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptors, Somatostatin

56-year old woman was operated of a pancreatic NET in May 2011. Abdominal pain had led to imaging and consecutively the finding of cholecystolithiasis and the tumor. The gall bladder, left hemi-pancreas, regional lymph nodes and the (unintentional injured) spleen were resected. At routine control examination in October 2012 CT presented three contract enhancing intra-abdominal lesions with a diameter of 2-3.5 cm. Consecutively 68Ga-DOTA-NOC PET-CT showed high tracer uptake (SUV 10-12) at these lesions. Therefore a relapse of the neuro-endocrine tumor was suspected. After reoperation in December 2012 histology did not reveal any sign of neuroendocrine tumor but identified spleen tissue most probably caused by splenosis accidentally seeded at the first operation. Physiologically the spleen is highly avid at 68Ga-DOTATOC PET, but splenosis presents with less standard uptake value. In our case the described lesions presented with an SUV quite comparable to that of neuroendocrine tumor tissue.

Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptors, Somatostatin; Splenosis

Topics: Adult; Ear Neoplasms; Ear, Middle; Humans; Male; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Gallium-68 (Ga-68) DOTA-1-NaI3-octreotide (DOTA-NOC) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), often found primarily in the pancreas. However, physiologic uptake of DOTA-NOC has been described in the uncinate process of the pancreas. We studied DOTA-NOC uptake in this organ.. Ninety-six patients underwent 103 DOTA-NOC scans, with pathology-proven pancreatic NET (n = 40) and nonpancreatic NET or biochemical suspicion of NET (n = 63).. DOTA-NOC uptake was detected in 35 documented pancreatic tumor sites (SUV: 5.5-165; mean: 25.7 ± 28.8; median: 17.8). Among 63 cases without previous known pathology, uptake was suspicious for tumor in 24 sites (SUV: 4.7-35; mean 16.3 ± 8.0; median: 14.1), and in 38 sites, it was judged as physiological, generally lower relative to adjacent structures (SUV: 2.2-12.6; mean: 6.6 ± 2.2; median: 6.2). In 24 scans with suspected tumor and in 37 of 38 scans with physiological uptake, diagnostic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging or endoscopic ultrasonography failed to detect tumor.. Pancreatic DOTA-NOC uptake must be interpreted with caution, and further studies are required.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tissue Distribution; Young Adult

To evaluate the role of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC (⁶⁸Gallium-labeled [1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid]-1-NaI³-octreotide) PET/CT for localization of the primary tumor in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary of neuroendocrine origin.. Twenty patients (median age, 55 years; male 10) with histopathologically proven metastatic neuroendocrine tumor and no localization of primary tumor on conventional imaging were included in the study. PET/CT was done after injection of 132-222 MBq (4-6 mCi) of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC. Images were evaluated by 2 experienced nuclear medicine physicians both qualitatively as well as quantitatively (maximum standardized uptake value). Histopathology (when available) and/or follow-up imaging with biochemical markers were taken as reference standard.. ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT localized the primary tumor in 12/20 (60%) patients. Midgut was the most common site of primary tumor (n = 9); duodenum (4), ileum (4), and colon (1). In 1 patient each the primary was localized to the pancreas, stomach, and lung. In these 12 patients, significant correlation was found between maximum standardized uptake value of primary tumor and metastasis (ρ = 0.615; P = 0.041). Even in patients in whom no primary tumor was localized, additional sites of metastatic disease were observed when compared with conventional imaging, mostly in lymph nodes and bones. There was a change in management in 3/20 patients (15%), who underwent surgery. In the remaining 17 patients, demonstration of somatostatin receptor expression by PET/CT made them suitable candidate for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.. ⁶⁸Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT seems to be a promising modality for detecting primary tumor in patients with carcinoma of unknown primary of neuroendocrine origin.

Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Predictive Value of Tests; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Recent studies have suggested that positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with (68)Ga-labelled DOTA-somatostatin analogues (SST) like octreotide and octreotate is useful in diagnosing neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and has superior value over both CT and planar and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of (68)Ga-DOTA-1-NaI(3)-octreotide ((68)Ga-DOTANOC) in patients with SST receptor-expressing tumours and to compare the results of (68)Ga-DOTA-D-Phe(1)-Tyr(3)-octreotate ((68)Ga-DOTATATE) in the same patient population.. Twenty SRS were included in the study. Patients' age (n = 20) ranged from 25 to 75 years (mean 55.4 ± 12.7 years). There were eight patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour (WDNET) grade1, eight patients with WDNET grade 2, one patient with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (PDNEC) grade 3 and one patient with mixed adenoneuroendocrine tumour (MANEC). All patients had two consecutive PET studies with (68)Ga-DOTATATE and (68)Ga-DOTANOC. All images were evaluated visually and maximum standardized uptake values (SUV(max)) were also calculated for quantitative evaluation.. On visual evaluation both tracers produced equally excellent image quality and similar body distribution. The physiological uptake sites of pituitary and salivary glands showed higher uptake in (68)Ga-DOTATATE images. Liver and spleen uptake values were evaluated as equal. Both (68)Ga-DOTATATE and (68)Ga-DOTANOC were negative in 6 (30 %) patients and positive in 14 (70 %) patients. In (68)Ga-DOTANOC images only 116 of 130 (89 %) lesions could be defined and 14 lesions were missed because of lack of any uptake. SUV(max) values of lesions were significantly higher on (68)Ga-DOTATATE images.. Our study demonstrated that the images obtained by (68)Ga-DOTATATE and (68)Ga-DOTANOC have comparable diagnostic accuracy. However, (68)Ga-DOTATATE seems to have a higher lesion uptake and may have a potential advantage.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Receptors, Somatostatin; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We present an interesting image that demonstrates utility of (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for demonstrating rare metastatic sites of neuroendocrime tumor.

Topics: Gallium Radioisotopes; Heart Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are known for an overexpression of somatostatin receptors (SSTR). In light of very few and partially contradictory publications, the present study aims to achieve a definite immunohistochemical (IHC) quantification and assessment of the distribution of all five SSTR-subtypes on NET and to evaluate an implementable scoring system, comparing the immunoreactive score of Remmele and Stegner (IRS) to the Her2-score. In 21 patients 40 different tumor tissues were IHC analysed using polyclonal antibodies for SSTR1 and 3-5 and the monoclonal antibody UMB-1 for SSTR2A. SSTR expression was quantitatively evaluated according to HER2-score and IRS, correlated among each other and to the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in tumor lesions as measured by PET/CT using 68Ga-DOTA-NOC.. According to the IRS, the expression of SSTR2A and 3 predominated equally with 84%, followed by SSTR4 (44%) and SSTR1 and 5 (32%). With the Her2-scoring system the most frequent subtype was found to be SSTR2A (68%), followed by SSTR3 (64%), SSTR1 (44%), SSTR5 (40%), and SSTR4 (36%). The IRS-classification and the Her2-score were found to be statistically comparable, and their correlation is highly significant for each SSTR assessment (p<0.01).. The results of the analyses revealed heterogeneous expression patterns. SSTR2A and 3 were highly expressed, demonstrating the importance of SSTR for diagnostics and therapy. Relatively high frequency of SSTR3 and 4 on NET give reasons to try pansomatostatin analogues for therapy rather than concentrating only on the SSTR2A. Statistically, none of the immunohistochemical scores was superior. However, due the heterogeneity of the cytoplasmic staining justice we propose the IRS as a uniform scoring scheme for IHC NET diagnostic.

Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Digestive System Neoplasms; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Ki-67 Antigen; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Radiopharmaceuticals; Receptor, ErbB-2; Receptors, Somatostatin; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

In recent years, (68)Ga-DOTA-peptides positron emission tomography (PET)/CT has been increasingly used to study patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NET). However, performing specialized examinations in the appropriate contest is mandatory for both medical and economic reasons. The aim of the study is to evaluate the potential usefulness of (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT in patients with suspected NET.. Among the patients undergoing (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT at our centre, we reviewed those studied for suspected NET based on the presence of either clinical signs/symptoms or imaging or raised biochemical markers or a combination of these conditions. PET/CT results were compared with clinical and imaging follow-up of at least 1 year or pathology.. Overall 131 suspected NET cases were included. The most common condition considered suspicious for NET was the increase of blood markers (66), followed by inconclusive findings at conventional imaging (CI, 41), clinical signs/symptoms (10), equivocal (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET (7) or somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS, 4), or a combination of the above (3). PET/CT results were true-positive in 17 cases, true-negative in 112 and false-negative in 2 (overall sensitivity 89.5 %, specificity 100 %). Interestingly, increased blood markers and clinical signs/symptoms were associated with the lowest frequency of true-positive findings (1/66 and 1/10, respectively), while CI findings were confirmed in one third of the cases (13/41). Overall, the incidence of NET in the studied population was 14.5 % (19/131).. Our data confirm the good accuracy (98 %) of (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT in NET lesion detection. However, our results also suggest that (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT may not be routinely recommended in patients with a suspicion of NET based on the mere detection of increased blood markers or clinical symptoms. Positive CI alone or in association with clinical/biochemical findings is on the contrary associated with a higher probability of true-positive findings.

Topics: Humans; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 syndromes are known to have neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) involving the pituitary and gastroenteropancreatic region, in addition to the presence of parathyroid abnormalities. In rare instances adenomas in the ectopic pituitary gland have been reported. As pituitary gland and pituitary adenomas are known to express SSTRs, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy can be used for imaging. Somatostatin receptor-based PET/CT imaging using 68Ga-DOTANOC has become a popular noninvasive imaging modality for evaluation of patients with NETs. The application of 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT can be extended to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 patients, as is evident from this case study.

Topics: Aged; Choristoma; Duodenal Diseases; Empty Sella Syndrome; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Multimodal Imaging; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pituitary Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The aim of our retrospective study was to assess the incidence of increased uptake of (68)Ga-DOTANOC in the head of the pancreas among a large population of patients with extrapancreatic neuroendocrine tumors studied with serial (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT.. Patients who had undergone at least two (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT studies over time were included. Uptake in the head of the pancreas was measured and compared with uptake in normal liver parenchyma (target-to-liver ratio). Patients were followed up for 6-24 mo.. We reviewed 245 studies performed on 100 patients and classified the pancreatic uptake as either diffuse or focal. Twenty-three patients (66 scans) showed diffuse uptake; 8 patients (16 scans) showed focal uptake. None of these 31 patients had negative findings on their subsequent scans, and vice versa. During follow-up, localization of neuroendocrine tumors in the pancreas was not suspected in any patient.. Focal and diffuse uptake of (68)Ga-DOTANOC in the head of the pancreas occurred, respectively, in 23% and 8% of the patients. The main finding of our study was that increased pancreatic uptake was stable over time.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Liver; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreas; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Retrospective Studies; Tissue Distribution; Tomography, Emission-Computed

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of (68)Ga-labeled [1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid]-1-NaI(3)-octreotide (DOTA-NOC) PET/CT in the diagnosis and management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).. One hundred nine patients (median age, 50 years) with gastroenteropancreatic NETs underwent (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT. PET/CT was performed after injection of 132-222 MBq (4-6 mCi) of (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC. Images were evaluated by two experienced nuclear medicine physicians both qualitatively as well as quantitatively (maximum standardized uptake value [SUV(max)]). Results of PET/CT were compared with the results of conventional imaging. Histopathology results, when available, and follow-up PET/CT or conventional imaging with biochemical markers were considered to be the reference standards.. Gallium-68-DOTA-NOC PET/CT showed sensitivity and specificity of 78.3% and 92.5%, respectively, for primary tumor and 97.4% and 100% for metastases. It was better than a conventional imaging modality for the detection of both primary tumor (p < 0.001) and metastases (p < 0.0001). It changed the management strategy in 21 patients (19%) and supported management decisions in 32 patients (29%).. Gallium-68-DOTA-NOC PET/CT appears to be a highly sensitive and specific modality for the detection of gastroenteropancreatic NET. It is better than conventional imaging for the evaluation of gastroenteropancreatic NETs and can have a significant impact on patient management.

Topics: Female; Gallium Radioisotopes; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multimodal Imaging; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prospective Studies; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Aged; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Humans; Liver; Male; Multimodal Imaging; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

This bi-centric study aimed to determine the role of receptor PET/CT using (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC in the detection of undiagnosed primary sites of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and to understand the molecular behaviour of the primarily undiagnosed tumours.. Overall 59 patients (33 men and 26 women, age: 65 + or - 9 years) with documented NET and unknown primary were enrolled. PET/CT was performed after injection of approximately 100 MBq (46-260 MBq) of (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC. The maximum standardised uptake values (SUV(max)) were calculated and compared with SUV(max) in known pancreatic NET (pNET) and ileum/jejunum/duodenum (SI-NET). The results of PET/CT were also correlated with CT alone.. In 35 of 59 patients (59%), (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT localised the site of the primary: ileum/jejunum (14), pancreas (16), rectum/colon (2), lungs (2) and paraganglioma (1). CT alone (on retrospective analyses) confirmed the findings in 12 of 59 patients (20%). The mean SUV(max) of identified previously unknown pNET and SI-NET were 18.6 + or - 9.8 (range: 7.8-34.8) and 9.1 + or - 6.0 (range: 4.2-27.8), respectively. SUV(max) in patients with previously known pNET and SI-NET were 26.1 + or - 14.5 (range: 8.7-42.4) and 11.3 + or - 3.7 (range: 5.6-17.9). The SUV(max) of the unknown pNET and SI-NET were significantly lower (p < 0.05) as compared to the ones with known primary tumour sites; 19% of the patients had high-grade and 81% low-grade NET. Based on (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC receptor PET/CT, 6 of 59 patients were operated and the primary was removed (4 pancreatic, 1 ileal and 1 rectal tumour) resulting in a management change in approximately 10% of the patients. In the remaining 29 patients, because of the far advanced stage of the disease (due to distant metastases), the primary tumours were not operated. Additional histopathological sampling was available from one patient with bronchial carcinoid (through bronchoscopy).. Our data indicate that (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT is highly superior to (111)In-OctreoScan (39% detection rate for CUP according to the literature) and can play a major role in the management of patients with CUP-NET.

Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Subtraction Technique; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To retrospectively evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT and CT alone for the evaluation of bone metastasis in patients with neuroendocrine tumour (NET).. From among patients with NET who underwent (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT between April 2006 and November 2008 in our centre, 223 were included in the study. Criteria for inclusion were pathological confirmation of NET and a follow-up period of at least 10 months. PET and CT images were retrospectively reviewed by two nuclear medicine specialists and two radiologists, respectively, without knowledge of the patient history or the findings of other imaging modalities. PET data were compared with the CT findings. Interobserver agreement was evaluated in terms of the kappa score. Clinical and imaging follow-up were used as the standard of reference to evaluate the PET findings.. PET was performed for staging (49/223), unknown primary tumour detection (24/223), restaging (32/223), restaging before radioimmunotherapy (1/223), evaluation during therapy (12/223), equivocal findings on conventional imaging (4/223 at the bone level; 61/223 at sites other than bone), and follow-up (40/223). A very high interobserver agreement was observed. CT detected at least one bone lesion in only 35 of 44 patients with a positive PET scan. In particular, PET showed more lesions in 20/35 patients, a lower number of lesions in 8/35, and the same number in 7/35. The characteristics of the lesions (sclerotic, lytic, mixed) on the basis of the CT report did not influence PET reading. PET revealed the presence of at least one bone metastasis in nine patients with a negative CT scan. Considering patients with a negative PET scan (179), CT showed equivocal findings at the bone level in three (single small sclerotic abnormality in two at the spine level, and bilateral small sclerotic abnormalities in the humeri, femurs and scapula). Clinical follow-up confirmed the PET findings in all patients; thus there were no false-positive or false-negative findings. Considering all patients, PET detected more lesions than CT (246 vs. 194). As compared to CT, on a patient basis PET showed a higher sensitivity (100% vs. 80%), specificity (100% vs. 98%), positive predictive value (100% vs. 92%), and negative predictive value (100% vs. 95%).. In conclusion, (68)Ga DOTA-NOC PET was more accurate than CT for the identification of bone lesions and led to a change in clinical management in nine patients with a negative CT scan.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bone Neoplasms; Female; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Observer Variation; Organometallic Compounds; Patient Care Planning; Pelvic Bones; Positron-Emission Tomography; Predictive Value of Tests; Radiopharmaceuticals; Retrospective Studies; Ribs; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spinal Neoplasms; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The aim of the study was 1) to determine the normal biodistribution of radiolabeled somatostatin analogue (68)Ga DOTA-NOC; 2) to establish the range of its uptake in liver, bone and lymph node metastases in patients with NET, 3) to establish the cut-off value for differentiating between physiological uptake and tumor related sstr expression in the processus uncinatus of pancreas.. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUV(max)) of (68)Ga DOTA-NOC were determined in normal organs of 89 NET patients undergoing receptor PET/CT. In addition, SUV(max) of primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET), liver, bone and lymph node metastases were evaluated.. SUV(max) (mean + or - standard deviation) were determined in: pituitary gland 2.6 + or - 1.3, thyroid: 3.4 + or - 1.4, lung: 0.9 + or - 0.8, normal liver: 6.9 + or - 2 , spleen: 22.0 + or - 10.0, adrenal 6.0 + or - 2.5, kidney: 12.9 + or - 3.8, gastrointestinal tract 2.3 + or - 1.0, gluteal muscle:1.0 + or - 0.3, femur 0.8 + or - 0.3, blood pool 2.6 + or - 1.2 and processus uncinatus of pancreas 5.8 + or - 2.0. SUV(max) of (68)Ga DOTA-NOC was 19.6 + or - 13.4 (N.=200) in liver metastases, 12.5 + or - 10 (N.=67) in lymph nodes metastasis, 9.5 + or - 6.0 (N.=78) in bone lesions, and 20.8 + or - 10.8 (N.=26) in pancreatic neuroendocrine primary tumors. Target to non target (T/NT) ratios were 3.4 + or - 2.3 for liver metastases (with normal. There is a broad range of sstr expression in metastastic lesions and in pNET. The splenic uptake of (68)Ga DOTA-NOC is highly variable. (68)Ga DOTA-NOC is an excellent tracer for imaging somatostatin receptor positive tumors, which, due to the high target to non-target ratios, allows the detection of very small lesions, especially of lymph node and bone metastases.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biological Transport; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Somatostatin; Young Adult

Several authors reported the superiority of (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT to conventional imaging (CI) for the assessment of neuroendocrine tumors (NET). However, the detection of a higher number of lesions is not necessarily followed by a modification of disease stage or therapeutic approach. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT on the clinical management of NET patients.. The study included 90 patients with pathologic confirmation of NET, CT performed within a month of (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT, and a follow-up period of at least 1 y. PET/CT results were compared with CI results. As a standard of reference to finally evaluate PET results, clinical and imaging follow-up data were used. To assess the clinical impact of PET findings, all referring physicians were contacted after PET and asked about how patients were managed. Stage or therapy modifications were independently recorded, and the overall impact was evaluated patient by patient if PET results either affected therapy or caused a change in disease stage.. Considering PET/CT and CI concordant cases (47/90 [52.2%]), PET findings affected the therapeutic management in 17 of 47 (36.2%) patients. Although PET did not result in modification of disease stage, (68)Ga-DOTANOC detected a higher lesion number in most patients. PET/CT and CI findings were discordant in 42 of 90 (46.7%) patients: PET resulted in a modification of stage in 12 patients (28.6%) and affected the treatment plan in 32 patients (76.2%). PET and CT were both equivocal in 1 patient (1/90). Considering all cases, (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT affected either stage or therapy in 50 of 90 (55.5%) patients. The most frequent impact on management (27 patients) was the initiation or continuance of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, followed by the initiation or continuance of somatostatin analog medical treatment (7 patients) and referral to surgery (6 patients). PET prevented unnecessary surgery in 6 patients and excluded from treatment with somatostatin analogs 2 patients with NET lesions that did not express somatostatin receptors. Less frequent impacts on management included the initiation of radiotherapy (1 patient), further diagnostic investigation (1 patient), and liver transplantation (1 patient).. (68)Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT either affected stage or caused a therapy modification in more than half the patients, thus confirming the clinical role of PET in the management of NET.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Contrast Media; Female; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, Emission-Computed; Young Adult

(18)F-FDG PET value for the assessment of neuroendocrine tumours (NET) is limited. Preliminary studies indicate that somatostatin receptor PET using (68)Ga-DOTA-peptides is more accurate for disease assessment and provide additional data on receptor status, that are crucial for targeted radionuclide therapy. At present, however, few papers investigated the role of (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET in NET, especially in unusual situations. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC for the evaluation of NET of uncommon presentation. Patients with biopsy-proven NET were scheduled for (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET; we excluded from further evaluation cases with most common NET tumours (gastro-entero-pancreatic and pulmonary localization of primary lesion, MEN syndromes, medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytomas). PET results were compared with findings of conventional imaging, including CT, ultrasonography, MR and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy; finally PET results were compared with follow-up data with respect to the impact on patient management. Fourteen patients were finally enrolled; primary tumours were located at uterine level (3 cases), prostate (3 cases), ovary (1 case), kidney (1 case), breast (1 case), ear (1 case); also 3 cases of paraganglioma (at neck, abdominal and mediastinum level) and 1 case of lymphoma were included. (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET was positive, showing at least 1 lesion, in 6/14 cases while 5 cases turned out negative and 2 inconclusive. On a clinical basis, (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC provided additional information in comparison to conventional imaging procedures in 7/14 cases, and was considered useful in 12/14 patients, with 8 patients in which (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET was determinant for patient's management. Although the number of patients studied is limited, our data show that (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC can be usefully applied for the evaluation of NET of uncommon presentation; in particular very promising results were obtained in paraganglioma. On the other hand, care has to be paid when studying lesions localized at sites of physiological concentration of the tracer, and in presence of inflammation.

Topics: Aged; Female; Gallium Radioisotopes; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Retrospective Studies

(18)F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) value for the assessment of neuro-endocrine tumours (NET) is limited. Preliminary studies indicate that (18)F-DOPA and (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC are more accurate for disease assessment and (68)Ga-DOTA peptides provide additional data on receptor status that are crucial for targeted radionuclide therapy. At present, there are no comparative studies investigating their role in NET.. The aim of this study was to compare (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC and (18)F-DOPA for the evaluation of gastro-entero-pancreatic and lung neuro-endocrine tumours.. Thirteen patients with biopsy-proven NET (gastro-entero-pancreatic or pulmonary) were prospectively enrolled and scheduled for (18)F-DOPA and (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET. PET results obtained with both tracers were compared with each other, with other conventional diagnostic procedures (CT, ultrasound) and with follow-up (clinical, imaging).. The most common primary tumour site was the pancreas (8/13) followed by the ileum (2/13), the lung (2/13) and the duodenum (1/13). The carcinoma was well differentiated in 10/13 and poorly differentiated in 3/13 cases. (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC PET was positive, showing at least one lesion, in 13/13 cases while (18)F-DOPA PET was positive in 9/13. On a lesions basis, (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC identified more lesions than (18)F-DOPA (71 vs 45), especially at liver, lung and lymph node level. (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC correctly identified the primary site in six of eight non-operated cases (in five cases, the primary was surgically removed before PET), while (18)F-DOPA identified the primary only in two of eight cases.. Although the patients studied are few and heterogeneous, our data show that (68)Ga-DOTA-NOC is accurate for the detection of gastro-entero-pancreatic and lung neuro-endocrine tumours in either the primary or metastatic site and that it offers several advantages over (18)F-DOPA.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dihydroxyphenylalanine; Female; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Organometallic Compounds; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity