Most intended management changes after ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT are implemented

Abstract

Background: In this prospective referring physician based survey, we investigated the definite clinical impact of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) on managing patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Methods: We prospectively studied 130 patients with ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT referred for initial or subsequent management decisions (NCT02174679). Referring physicians completed one questionnaire prior to the scan (Q1) to indicate the treatment plan without PET/CT information; one immediately after review of the imaging report to denote intended management changes (Q2); and one 6 months later (Q3) to verify whether intended changes were in fact implemented. To further validate the Q3 responses a systematic electronic chart review was conducted. Results: All 3 questionnaires were completed by referring physicians for 96/130 patients (74%). ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT resulted in intended treatment management changes (Q2) in 48/96 patients (50%). These changes were finally implemented (Q3) in 36/48 patients (75%). Q3 responses have been confirmed in all patients with available electronic chart (36/96; 38%). Conclusion: This prospective study confirms a significant impact of ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT on intended management of patients with NET (50% of changes) and notably demonstrates a high implementation rate (75%) of these intended management changes.