Ga-68 DOTATATE of Neuroendocrine Tumors

As part of our long standing commitment and dedication to cancer care, we are very excited to announce that UPMC ( Hillman cancer center and Presbyterian) is the first hospital system in Western Pennsylvania and one of the first 10 centers in the country to offer a new cutting-edge technology  for imaging Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). This novel molecular imaging technology Ga-68 DOTATATE ( Netspot ™) had been widely anticipated by our oncologists and patients alike.  A plethora of scientific data have advocated for its use in clinical staging and management of such NETs.  After its introduction in our imaging centers at Hillman and Presby, there has been an overwhelming response from our patients and oncologists from within the UPMC system and also from outside the region.

This new imaging tool also allows our oncologists to determine if some of their advanced NET patients could benefit from a new Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) that specifically targets somatostatin receptors in these cancer cells. As part of a Compassionate Expanded access program, such advanced NET patients progressing under conventional therapy can benefit from this therapy program here at UPMC Presbyterian.