Molecular radiotheranostics for neuroendocrine tumours

Abstract

This article discusses the important role of nuclear medicine imaging and therapy in the management of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy has a high impact on patient management versus conventional imaging. Molecular radiotherapy is an important part of the management of patients with NETs. Selection of patients for molecular radiotherapy in NETs is based on uptake on their radionuclide imaging study. The imaging agent has the same mechanism of uptake as the therapeutic agent. Thus, the imaging study preselects patients that are likely to concentrate radiation within their tumours.