Theranostic implications of molecular imaging phenotype of well-differentiated pulmonary carcinoid based on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to analyse the molecular imaging (MI) phenotype of typical carcinoid (TC) and atypical carcinoid (AC) by 68Ga-DOTATATE (GaTATE) and 18F-FDG (FDG) PET/CT with the emphasis on its potential theranostic implications for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Methods: Retrospective review of patients with biopsy-proven TC or AC undergoing both GaTATE and FDG PET/CT at presentation. Based on correlative CT or MRI, positive lesions on either scan were defined by uptake above liver parenchyma. Per patient MI phenotypic pattern was classified as score 1, if all lesions were negative on both scans; score 2, if all were GaTATE positive/FDG negative; score 3, if all les..