CTCA® Chicago is one of only six hospitals in Illinois to provide this specialized drug application for patients suffering from NETs, which originate in the neuroendocrine cells of organs. Lutetium Lu 177 dotatate, the first FDA-approved Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT), is designed specifically to treat somatostatin receptor positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).
“Although considered a rare cancer type, the prevalence of neuroendocrine tumors is shown to be on the rise,” says Kenneth Yoo, MD, interventional radiologist at CTCA® Chicago. “On the positive side, with the addition of lutetium Lu 177 dotatate, we are well equipped across the care continuum, diagnostics to treatments, to help patients facing this disease.
With a commitment to expand its care offerings, which includes the Neuroendocrine Tumor Clinical Program, CTCA Chicago uses NETSPOT® (gallium Ga 68 dotatate), a diagnostic imaging agent that helps locate somatostatin receptor positive NETs and determine treatment options.
Patients diagnosed with NETs often present with a variety of symptoms that are difficult to attribute to a specific disease, making an accurate diagnosis challenging. Although NETs comprise less than one percent of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, the incidence of occurrence has risen significantly over the past decade, according to Jama Oncology. This tumor type is the most commonly prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy, second to colorectal cancer. Equipped with gallium Ga 68 dotatate and lutetium Lu 177 dotatate, CTCA Chicago physicians are able to help identify GEP-NET tumors and provide treatment options that may be effective. Together, these products represent a theragnostic approach to disease management.
Due to the complexity and diversity of NETs, the CTCA Chicago Neuroendocrine Tumor Clinical Program comprises a multidisciplinary team, including surgical, medical and radiation oncologists; gastroenterologists; interventional radiologists; endocrinologists; pathologists as well as clinicians who focus on side effects management and quality of life enhancement.