Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP NETs) are often associated with high expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) which allows for PET/CT imaging with radiolabeled somatostatin analogs such as 68Ga-DOTATOC.  Research participants with GEP NETs were studied on two occasions using dynamic whole-body 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT.  The two imaging studies were performed within 21 days of each other, using an identical acquisition protocol except for the administration of 50 μg of short-acting octreotide (pre-dose) immediately before the second PET/CT.  These data suggest there may be no need to discontinue somatostatin analog therapy prior to PET/CT with 68Ga-DOTATOC, allowing for a simpler, less disruptive patient protocol. 
PET/CT