Abstract
2705
Introduction: Positron emission tomography combined with computer tomography (PET/CT) using 68Ga-DOTATATE is considered one of the established methods for diagnosis and evaluation of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Initial assessment and reliable exclusion of NETs is critical for achieving effective treatment and improving individual prognosis. Aim of work: To detect the role of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in suspected NETs patients.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted between May 2020 and October 2021on 98 patients including 50 females and 48 males with ages between 25 to 68, mean age 49. The study includes 35(35.7%) patients with pathologically confirmed NETs and 63 (64.3%) with suspected NETs. Suspected NETs referred as clinical suspicion in 32 patients (with symptoms like diarrhea, hypoglycemia or abdominal pain), laboratory suspicion including 11 patients with elevated tumor markers and 20 patients with doubtful imaging (either CT, MRI or U/S). All patients performed 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans. Follow-up of 43 patients for 2 years was performed including clinical disease status, laboratory and imaging investigations.
Results: In our study 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT detected 53 patients with true positive NETs and excluded the presence of NETs in 41 patients as true negative indicating sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 92.87%, 92.86% and 92.85% respectively. Two patients were false positive and two another were false negative with negative predicative value of 90.96 % and positive predictive value of 94.55 %. In the 53 positive NETs patients most frequent locations were at the gastro-intestinal tract (30/53) followed by lungs (11/53), pancreas (6/53) and thyroid (6/53).
Conclusions: 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT considered as crucial imaging tool in diagnosing patients with suspected NETs. It provides accurate disease staging aiming to achieve best therapy planning and disease prognosis.
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