Scintigraphic long-term follow-up of a patient with metastatic glucagonoma

Two years after resection of a pancreatic glucagonoma, scintigraphy with (1 11)indium-labeled octreotide revealed hepatic metastases in a 48-yr-old man . Hepatic metastases were also visualized by CT, whereas an additional lesi on in the chest was seen only by scintigraphy. A total of 11 follow-up exam inations over 46 months proved somatostatin receptor scintigraphy to monito r reliably somatostatin receptor expression, growth and dissemination of gl ucagonoma metastases, and to indicate therapeutic readjustment if necessary . The survival time of the patient is now >75 months, in comparison with a mean survival time of 59 months reported for metastatic glucagonoma. (C) 20 00 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology).