Use of PET/CT in Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rare tumours arising from cells with a neuroendocrine phenotype dispersed through the body and characterised by the overexpression of somatostatin receptors. Because of this unique feature, functional imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of NETs. Ga-68 labelled somatostatin analogue PET/CT has demonstrated better performance than somatostatin receptor scintigraphy. Although different somatostatin analogues labelled with 68 Ga were available; no significant difference was found between their efficiency. Ga-68 DOTA-PET/CT has many roles on treatment including "theranostic" approach in NET patients and has a potential to be used as the first step imaging method in these patients. However, 18 F-FDG PET/CT seems to be a more appropriate imaging method as the first choice for aggressive, poorly differentiated neuroendocrine cancers. In this book chapter, we aimed to discuss radiopharmaceuticals and current imaging methods used in neuroendocrine tumors in the light of the literature.