Managing NETs with Octreoscan™
Specifically for identifying NETs and metastases that express somatostatin receptors1
Octreoscan is an imaging technique that specifically identifies tumors that express somatostatin receptors. More than 90% of NETs express somatostatin receptors, both in the primary neoplasm and metastases.1 The notable exception to this is benign, insulin-producing pancreatic NETs (insulinomas), but even here, Octreoscan is positive in up to 46% of benign insulinomas.2,3 Across various types of NETs, the sensitivity of Octreoscan is unaffected by vascularity or secretory activity of the neoplasms.4
In conjunction with CT or MRI, Octreoscan may be particularly helpful in identifying previously unsuspected extrahepatic and lymph node metastases.2,5 With pancreatic NETs, experts agree that Octreoscan can be useful in the routine monitoring of patients without evidence of disease and to establish the presence of certain somatostatin receptors.
Octreoscan requires a radiolabeled contrast agent and specialized imaging equipment6 that may not be available at some centers. Patients are intravenously administered a radiolabeled somatostatin analog (111In-octreotide or 111In-pentetreotide) prior to scintigraphy with a large-field gamma camera.2,6
Octreoscan is a trademark of Covidien AG or one of its affiliates.
1. Jensen RT, Doherty GM. Carcinoid tumors and the carcinoid syndrome. In: DeVita VT Jr, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds. Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005:1559-1574.
2. Metz DC, Jensen RT. Reviews in basic and clinical gastroenterology: gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors: pancreatic endocrine tumors. Gastroenterology. 2008;135(5):1469-1492.
3. Ehehalt F, Saeger HD, Schmidt CM, Grützmann R. Neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. Oncologist. 2009;14(5):456-467.
4. Shi W, Johnston CF, Buchanan KD, et al. Localization of neuroendocrine tumours with [111In]DTPA-octreotide scintigraphy (Octreoscan): a comparative study with CT and MR imaging. Q J Med. 1998;91(4):295-301.
5. Dromain C, de Baere T, Lumbroso J, et al. Detection of liver metastases from endocrine tumors: a prospective comparison of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. J Clin Oncol. 2005;23(1):70-78.
6. Gibril F, Jensen RT. Comparative analysis of diagnostic techniques for localization of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. Yale J Biol Med. 1997;70(2):509-522.
7. Balon HR, Goldsmith SJ, Siegel BA, et al. Procedure guideline for somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with 111In-pentetreotide. J Nucl Med. 2001;42(7):1134-1138.
Previous: CT and MRI
