Hybrid Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Abstract

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) constitute a heterogeneous group of rare tumors that arise from cells of the neuroendocrine system. The term “neuroendocrine” relates to the ability of these cells to produce and store amines and peptide hormones produced by both the endocrine system and the nervous systems: gastrin, insulin, serotonin, somatostatin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), catecholamines, ACTH, GH, prolactin, FSH, LH, TSH, and PTH. Although NETs differ widely in their biology and clinical presentation, they share the capability to produce certain biological compounds (chromogranins and synaptophysin) that are considered specific markers of neuroendocrine cells [1].