RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The Role of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in Suspected Neuroendocrine Tumors JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 1686 OP 1692 DO 10.2967/jnumed.111.101675 VO 53 IS 11 A1 Alexander R. Haug A1 Ramona Cindea-Drimus A1 Christoph J. Auernhammer A1 Martin Reincke A1 Björn Wängler A1 Christopher Uebleis A1 Gerwin P. Schmidt A1 Burkhard Göke A1 Peter Bartenstein A1 Marcus Hacker YR 2012 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/53/11/1686.abstract AB In patients with suspected but yet not localized neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), early diagnosis or reliable exclusion is crucial for optimal individual prognosis and therapy. Despite recourse to several imaging modalities, the definite diagnosis of NET can be challenging. Therefore, we tested 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT as a tool for improved diagnosis in a cohort of patients with suspected, nonlocalized NET. Methods: 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT recordings were obtained in 104 consecutive patients meeting at least one of the following criteria: clinical suspicion of NET (n = 70), elevated blood levels of tumor markers (n = 49), and image-based suspicion of NET (n = 53). The presence of NET was validated by histopathology (n = 49) or clinical follow-up of 107 ± 59 wk (n = 55). Results: In 36 of 104 patients (35%), NET was histologically verified, most frequently located in the small bowel (10/36), pancreas (8/36), lung (5/36), and stomach (2/36). Twelve patients had tumors of nonneuroendocrine origin, and 7 patients had benign tumors. 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT identified NET in 29 of the 36 cases and excluded the presence of a NET in 61 of the 68 non-NET patients, indicating a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 90%. The PET/CT gave a false-positive result in 7 patients and a false-negative in another 7 patients, indicating positive and negative predictive values of 81% and 90%, respectively, and an accuracy of 87%. Chromogranin A levels were significantly higher in both PET-positive patients (1,841 vs. 342 ng/mL; P < 0.05) and patients with verified NET (2,214 vs. 524 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with suspected NETs due to clinical symptoms, elevated levels of tumor markers, or indeterminate tumors suggestive of NET, 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT is highly accurate, thus supporting its use in clinical routine diagnostics.