Gallium-68-dotatate PET/CT is better than CT in the management of somatostatin expressing tumors: First experience in Africa.

OBJECTIVE

In this study we aimed to present our experience on the use of Gallium-68-dotatate with positron emission tomography, computed tomography ( Ga-dotatate PET/CT) in the management of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and other somatostatin expressing tumors.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients with histologically confirmed or biochemically suspected NET and other somatostatin expressing (SSTR) tumors imaged at our department with Ga-dotatate PET/CT. We determined the performance of this imaging technique as well as its impact on patients management. A total of 203 patients were studied: 103 females, 100 males median age 52years.

RESULTS

The commonest tumor type was gastroenteropancreatic NET (41% of patients) and the commonest sites of distant metastases were lymph nodes and the liver 34.0% and 30.5% respectively. Positron emission tomography detected foci of disease in 19 patients where CT was falsely negative. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of Ga-dotatate PET/CT imaging of NET and other SST expressing tumors were 94.16%, 91.89%, 95.55%, 89.47% and 96.55% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Gallium-68-dotatate PET/CT was better than CT in detecting primary sites of the disease and highly sensitive and specific for diagnosis and treatment of NET and other SSTR expressing tumors.