Open AccessGastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: Is now time for a new approach?
Author(s) -
Rossana Berardi,
Mariangela Torniai,
Agnese Savini,
Silvia Rinaldi,
Stefano Cascinu
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2218-4333
DOI - 10.5306/wjco.v7.i2.131
Subject(s) - medicine , neuroendocrine tumors , positron emission tomography , somatostatin receptor , somatostatin , pancreas , computed tomography , neuroendocrine tumour , radiology , nuclear medicine
Gastro-entero-pancreatic tumors (GEP-NETs) are rare neoplasms often characterized by an overexpression of somatostatin receptors. Thus, radiolabeled somatostatin analogues have showed an increasing relevance both in diagnosis and treatment, especially in low- and intermediate-differentiated GEP-NETs. These evidences have led to a growing development of new functional imaging techniques as 68Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) proved useful in the management of these neoplasms. However these tumors have a heterogeneous behavior also modifying their aggressiveness through time. Therefore sometimes 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT appears to be more appropriate to obtain a better assessment of the disease. According to these considerations, the combination of different functional imaging techniques should be considered in the management of GEP-NETs patients allowing clinicians to choose the tailored therapeutic approach among available options.