Abstract
BackgroundThe non-functional PNETs are often discovered incidentally, they are commonly malignant and commonly present at a late stage with large size. We evaluate in this study the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection and staging of non-functioning PNETs.ResultsThirty patients with non-functioning PNETs were involved in this prospective study over a period starting from September 2016 to March 2021. Age ranged from 33 to 79 years. 18F-FDG PET/CT detected 26 patients had SUV max ≥ 2.5 of primary lesions and 4 lesions had SUV max < 2.5. There was no statistical significant between the site of the lesions and the type of grading of the tumors. 32 distant metastatic lesions were detected which show SUVmax ≥ 2.5 and only 9%where below 2.5. Of 30 patients, 4 patients (13.3%) of well differentiated tumor had altered their clinical strategies according to the results of PET/CT examinations. 18F-FDG PET/CT upstaged 1 patient with stage IB and 3 patients with IIA and B to stage IV.ConclusionThe increased use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the investigation of patient with PNETs allows for more accurate staging and therefore more appropriate management decision.
Highlights
The non-functional Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) are often discovered incidentally, they are commonly malignant and commonly present at a late stage with large size
PNETs are classified according to its differentiation, the grading system is based on the rate of tumor proliferation which is defined by the mitotic count according to the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) classification, low grade tumors are characterized by low proliferative indices while high grades have high proliferative indices, and are very aggressive [3]
In the present study we found that 86.7% of nonfunctioning PNETS can be detected by 18F-FDG 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT), 26 of 30 patients have Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) above 2.5 while 4 patients were below 2.5
Summary
The non-functional PNETs are often discovered incidentally, they are commonly malignant and commonly present at a late stage with large size. We evaluate in this study the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the detection and staging of non-functioning PNETs. Pancreatic cancer is characterized by abnormal growth of pancreatic cells 0.95% of pancreatic cancer developed from the exocrine cells, the remaining 5% originate from the endocrine cells, the so-called neuroendocrine tumors or islet-cell tumors [1]. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are classified according to their clinical manifestation into functioning and non-functioning tumors. Contrary to functioning PNETs as insulinoma or gastrinoma, non-functioning PNETs are commonly malignant and presenting at late stage with large size with surrounding mass effect. The current imaging approaches still misdiagnose some possibly curable pancreatic cancers and do not provide prognostic information or inform ideal management strategies. The current imaging approaches still misdiagnose some possibly curable pancreatic cancers and do not provide prognostic information or inform ideal management strategies. 18F-FDG
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
