ABSTRACT Introduction 68 Ga‐DOTATOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) targets somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) and is an established molecular imaging modality for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Although SSTR expression has been reported in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), its clinical utility remains unclear. Case Presentation A 76‐year‐old woman who had undergone open partial nephrectomy for clear cell RCC (grade 2, pT1bN0M0) 3 years before developed a sternal metastasis, which was surgically resected with negative margins. Nine months later, follow‐up CT revealed a soft‐tissue lesion posterior to the sternum. 68 Ga‐DOTATOC PET/CT showed no uptake in this lesion but intense uptake at the Th8 vertebra, indicating metastasis. After stereotactic body radiation therapy (35 Gy in five fractions), persistent uptake was observed 8 months later, suggesting residual viable tumor, which was histopathologically confirmed after resection. Conclusion 68 Ga‐DOTATOC PET/CT was useful in evaluating the possibility of recurrence of the soft‐tissue lesion, assessing post‐radiation viability, and guiding treatment in RCC.
Mine et al. (Wed,) studied this question.