Radionuclide Imaging of Pulmonary and Thymic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract

Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are an uncommon group of pulmonary neoplasms that are typically characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation with relatively indolent clinical behavior. The spectrum of pulmonary NETs ranges from typical carcinoid tumors, which are relatively benign, to highly aggressive small cell carcinoma. Thymic NETs are uncommon but malignant tumors of the thymus gland which are typically characterized by aggressive behavior and malignant potential. This chapter will emphasize current and emerging knowledge of functional imaging options on pulmonary and thymic NETs.