1
|
Marketou ME, Kapsoritakis N, Bourogianni O, Patrianakos A, Kochiadakis G, Plevritaki A, Papadaki S, Zervakis S, Parthenakis F, Koukouraki S. Hybrid imaging of neuroendocrine tumors in the heart: Union is strength. J Nucl Cardiol 2023; 30:298-312. [PMID: 34622428 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-021-02804-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are particularly rare tumors that can lead to a very poor clinical outcome, partly because of metastases but mainly because of manifestations of the hormonal activity they exhibit. Prompt diagnosis is important in order to start the most effective treatment for their removal or management, with the fewest complications. They are often difficult to diagnose, especially in their early stages. One of the reasons for this is that the heart is an organ with a high rate of metabolism and is located in close proximity to other high-metabolism organs. In addition, the anatomic location and their small size render their diagnosis extremely challenging. In recent years, hybrid imaging methods have revolutionized the diagnostic approach to oncology patients and have established a place in the diagnosis of cardiac NETs, because they provide both anatomical and functional information at the same time. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), PET/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) and single-photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) are widely used in clinical practice because of the very important metabolic information, the high sensitivity and specificity. However, prospective studies are needed to confirm the true clinical and prognostic value of various hybrid imaging diagnostic techniques in cardiac NETs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Marketou
- Cardiology Department, Heraklion University Hospital, P.O. Box 1352, Stavrakia, Heraklion, Greece.
| | - Nikolaos Kapsoritakis
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Olga Bourogianni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Alexandros Patrianakos
- Cardiology Department, Heraklion University Hospital, P.O. Box 1352, Stavrakia, Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Kochiadakis
- Cardiology Department, Heraklion University Hospital, P.O. Box 1352, Stavrakia, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Anthoula Plevritaki
- Cardiology Department, Heraklion University Hospital, P.O. Box 1352, Stavrakia, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sophia Papadaki
- Cardiology Department, Heraklion University Hospital, P.O. Box 1352, Stavrakia, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stelios Zervakis
- Cardiology Department, Heraklion University Hospital, P.O. Box 1352, Stavrakia, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Fragiskos Parthenakis
- Cardiology Department, Heraklion University Hospital, P.O. Box 1352, Stavrakia, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Sophia Koukouraki
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| |
Collapse
|