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Radioguided surgery and systemic radionuclide therapy of neuroendocrine tumours
Marina Hodolic1, Jure Fettich, Maria Cristina Marzola
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Centre of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract:
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) may be fatal, though at a significantly slower pace than their exocrine counterparts. Nuclear medicine procedures for diagnosis and treatment of NETs are based on expression of somatostatin receptors. Radioguided surgery is a new method for diagnosing and treating many tumours and uses introperative gamma probes. The use and development of intraoperative gamma probes in the last 10 years has enabled the development of minimally invasive procedures in oncological surgery, with an improvement in both the survival rate and the quality of life. Systemic therapy with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues is a promising new tool in the management of patients with inoperable or metastatic NETs. In terms of tumour regression, the results obtained are encouraging.
Insights
Nuclear medicine advances aid neuroendocrine tumour (NET) diagnosis and treatment. Radioguided surgery and radiolabeled somatostatin analogues offer improved survival and quality of life for NET patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) present a slower-growing but potentially fatal malignancy.
- Current NET management relies on somatostatin receptor expression for diagnosis and treatment.
- Minimally invasive oncological surgery has advanced significantly over the past decade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of nuclear medicine in NET diagnosis and treatment.
- To evaluate the impact of intraoperative gamma probes in radioguided surgery for NETs.
- To assess the efficacy of systemic therapy with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues for advanced NETs.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing nuclear medicine techniques based on somatostatin receptor expression.
- Employing intraoperative gamma probes for radioguided surgery in NET patients.
- Administering systemic therapy with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues for inoperable or metastatic NETs.
Main Results:
- Radioguided surgery using intraoperative gamma probes has facilitated minimally invasive procedures.
- These advancements in oncological surgery have led to improved survival rates and quality of life.
- Systemic therapy with radiolabeled somatostatin analogues shows encouraging results in tumour regression for advanced NETs.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear medicine plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumours.
- Radioguided surgery and systemic radiolabeled somatostatin analogue therapy represent promising advancements in NET management.
- These innovative approaches offer improved outcomes for patients with both operable and inoperable/metastatic NETs.
