Most of the Intended Management Changes After Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT Are Implemented.

In this prospective referring-physician-based survey, we investigated the definite clinical impact of Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT on managing patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We prospectively studied 130 patients with Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT referred for initial or subsequent management decisions (NCT02174679). Referring physicians completed one questionnaire before 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 mo later (Q3) to verify whether intended changes were in fact implemented. To further validate the Q3 responses, a systematic electronic chart review was conducted. All 3 questionnaires were completed by referring physicians for 96 of 130 patients (74%). Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT resulted in intended management changes (Q2) in 48 of 96 patients (50%). These changes were finally implemented (Q3) in 36 of 48 patients (75%). Q3 responses were confirmed in all patients with an available electronic chart (36/96; 38%). This prospective study confirmed a significant impact of Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT on the intended management of patients with NETs (50% of changes) and notably demonstrated a high implementation rate (75%) of these intended management changes.