Developing a unified imaging approach for neuroendocrine tumours with the evolution of PET-CT with 68Ga-labelled somatostatin analogues: Could this be tailored according to specific clinical context and individual patient requirement?

摘要

With the widespread use of targeted radiolabelled therapeutic agents in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), a significant fraction of this group of patients is now being increasingly managed by nuclear medicine physicians, which would call for better appreciation of the various characteristics of these tumours in the community. Furthermore, recent years have witnessed the remarkable success of PET using 68Ga-labelled somatostatin analogues (e.g. DOTA-TOC/NOG/TATE) as a highly sensitive technique in NETs for disease staging, monitoring and assessment of somatostatin receptor status [1-7], which has brought about a revolutionary change in the diagnostic approach to these tumours. Thus, it is important to conduct a critical appraisal of the pros and cons of each modality and generate a consensus opinion on the preferential use of one modality over the other in a specific clinical setting. It is imperative that they be used scientifically in a given patient according to individual needs. Thus, a proper understanding is important for the optimal utilization of resources in the best possible way.