Indium-111-labelled octreotide scintigraphy in the diagnosis and management of non-iodine avid metastatic carcinoma of the thyroid
2003

Using Octreotide Scans for Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis

Sample size: 18 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Christian J A, Cook G J R, Harmer C

Primary Institution: Royal Marsden Hospital

Hypothesis

Can 111In-DTPA0octreotide scintigraphy be an effective diagnostic tool for non-iodine avid metastatic thyroid carcinoma?

Conclusion

The study found that octreotide imaging may be useful for staging and monitoring non-iodine avid thyroid carcinoma.

Supporting Evidence

  • 14 out of 18 patients showed positive uptake with 111In-DTPA0octreotide.
  • In 8 patients, octreotide imaging was as good as or better than conventional imaging.
  • The study suggests that octreotide scintigraphy may provide additional useful information for widespread bone metastases.

Takeaway

Doctors used a special scan to see if it could help find thyroid cancer that doesn't absorb iodine, and it worked for many patients.

Methodology

The study involved 18 patients with non-iodine avid metastatic thyroid carcinoma who underwent 111In-DTPA0octreotide scintigraphy and conventional radiology.

Limitations

The study does not provide a definitive alternative to conventional radiology for staging but suggests additional useful information.

Participant Demographics

Patients included 12 with Hurthle cell carcinoma, 4 with papillary carcinoma, 1 with follicular carcinoma, and 1 with medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6601072

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