Use of molecular imaging to differentiate liver metastasis of colorectal cancer metastasis from neuroendocrine tumor origin

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Jan;45(1):e8-11. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181e04d3c.

Abstract

Synchronous malignant neoplasms in a single patient are well documented in the literature. It is also recognized that there is increasing incidence of synchronous non-neuroendocrine neoplasm in patients with neuroendocrine tumor (NET). We present a case, of a patient with synchronous colorectal cancer and pancreatic NET, both cancers presenting with liver metastasis. By using 18F-FDG PET and 68Ga-DOTATATE PET imaging, we showed 2 different tumor types within the liver, which was subsequently confirmed on liver biopsy. This case report shows the utility of molecular imaging using different PET peptides. These newer modalities are useful in understanding the biology of the NET and in determining the best patient management.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / diagnosis
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology*
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods

Substances

  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • gallium Ga 68 dotatate