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Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT for Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET)

Functional somatostatin-receptor PET imaging that detects and characterizes neuroendocrine tumors with high sensitivity.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Radyoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT for Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET)?

Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT is a positron-emission tomography study using a radiopharmaceutical that binds with high affinity to somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SSTR2), abundantly expressed on most well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors.

It has largely replaced In-111 octreotide scanning (OctreoScan) due to higher resolution, better sensitivity (especially for small lesions and bone metastases), shorter exam time, and lower radiation exposure.

Indications include detection of unknown primary, staging, restaging, evaluation of suspected progression, and selection of patients for peptide-receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with Lu-177 DOTATATE.

Symptoms

Detection of primary neuroendocrine tumor
Staging of confirmed NET
Restaging after treatment
Localization of unknown primary
Evaluation of carcinoid syndrome
Pre-PRRT therapy selection
Detection of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma in selected cases

Risk Factors

Confirmed or suspected neuroendocrine tumor
Carcinoid syndrome (flushing, diarrhea, wheezing)
Elevated chromogranin A or 5-HIAA
MEN1 or MEN2 syndromes
Family history of NET or paraganglioma
Prior NET requiring restaging
Candidate for PRRT therapy

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Suspected NET on conventional imaging
  • Carcinoid syndrome symptoms
  • Elevated tumor markers (chromogranin A)
  • Restaging known NET
  • Suspected NET recurrence
  • Pre-PRRT evaluation
  • Family history of MEN syndromes

Treatment Methods

01
Same-day outpatient procedure (1 hour after injection)
02
Pause long-acting octreotide 4-6 weeks before scan
03
Hold short-acting octreotide 24 hours before scan
04
Hydration before and after scan
05
Multidisciplinary review of findings
06
PRRT (Lu-177 DOTATATE) for SSTR-positive metastatic disease
07
Surgery, somatostatin analogs, chemotherapy, targeted therapy as indicated

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Radyoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.