Somatostatin Receptor Scintigraphy and Somatostatin Therapy in the Evaluation and Treatment of Malignant Thymoma

PURPOSE: This report illustrates the potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility of somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and therapy with somatostatin. METHODS: In-111 pentetreotide (In-111 octreotide), a somatostatin analog, was used to define the receptor status and the extent of disease in a case of malignant thymoma. RESULTS: Subsequent treatment with nonradioactive somatostatin inhibited tumor growth. CONCLUSION: In-111 octreotide may be useful to define tumor receptor status and may provide prognostic information useful in determining subsequent therapy.