IMAGING AND STAGING OF SMALL-CELL LUNG-CANCER - IS THERE A FUTURE-ROLE FOR OCTREOTIDE SCINTIGRAPHY

In small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), CT scan remains the most accurate im aging modality for evaluating local extension and specific sites of me tastatic disease. The role of nuclear medicine in the work-up of SCLC is still limited to the detection of bone metastases. Recently, a new potential diagnostic tool has been introduced based on the presence of somatostatin receptors in SCLC. With the use of radiolabelled somatos tatin analogues it is hoped that an equally effective but simpler stag ing system has been found that gives a better separation of prognostic subgroups. This article reviews the role of nuclear medicine in gener al and somatostatin receptor scintigraphy in particular in the imaging and staging of SCLC. Clinical value in terms of sensitivity and speci ficity is discussed in relation with other imaging and staging modalit ies.