Identification of Wandering Masses and Tumor Heterogeneity on ⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE and ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in Metastatic Grade II Neuroendocrine Tumor with Increased Somatostatin Receptor Expression After Combined Chemotherapy and PRRT

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) may manifest as large masses in the abdominopelvic region that exhibit mobility and shifting, potentially leading to diagnostic uncertainty both before and after treatment. A meticulous analysis of PET/CT scans is advantageous in accurately identifying the precise location of large abdominopelvic masses. Tumor heterogeneity may be present in NETs with large abdominopelvic masses and may be easily identified on dual-tracer (⁶⁸Ga-DOTATATE and ¹⁸F-FDG) PET/CT scans. In this scenario, the combined use of chemotherapy and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is a more effective treatment option than monotherapy. Here, we present a case of a NET with wandering, large, heterogeneous masses in the abdominopelvic regions that were identified using dual-tracer PET/CT. After the administration of temozolomide chemotherapy in a combined chemotherapy–peptide receptor radionuclide therapy approach, we observed an upregulation in the expression of somatostatin receptor in the abdominopelvic masses.